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Learning Chinese 'the possibilities are endless'

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-20 07:59

An e-mail from Elizabeth Sabol-Jones, who began learning Chinese at Payton College Prep in Chicago and now studies at Georgetown University.

I began my Chinese education at Payton College Prep as a freshman, so I was 14 when I first started learning Chinese. I continued to study Chinese in Ms Lu's class for four years, and then went on to study at Georgetown University. I am a Chinese major, this is my second year of studying Chinese at college level. Upon matriculating to Georgetown, I was at a level high enough to pass on a full year of Chinese classes. Therefore I am studying Chinese at a level higher than most of my peers and I plan to study in China for a semester this coming fall.

I have faced many challenges while learning Chinese. I believe that one of the biggest challenges is correctly pronouncing the tones. In addition, having the confidence to speak Chinese to native-speakers is also a challenge because I do not want to mess up my sentences so they can't understand me. Chinese is a fun, but daunting, language to learn. You must be dedicated to your studies and set you mind on success to ensure you persevere.

My top accomplishment in learning Chinese is that I was able to travel by myself this past summer to Shanghai and explore the city and talk with people. I stayed with the Chinese roommate that I had met in 2008 at a summer language program. She and her family were nice enough to invite me to stay with them in Shanghai for four weeks. During those weeks, I explored the city, went to museums, talked to Chinese vendors, I learned to use the metro, and I was lucky enough to visit the Expo three times.

Learning Chinese has completely changed my choice of future career. I believe that no matter what career I choose to pursue, be it business, government, or law, China will play a large role in my daily life. I have even thought of opening a restaurant or bakery in the country. Chinese has opened up so many opportunities to me and I believe my language ability will greatly help my future career.

I believe Chinese is the basis of my learning, and from that I will seek out a career that allows me to focus on a passion and use my Chinese. Most recently I have had the desire to intern or work for a Chinese newspaper or publication. The possibilities are endless.

(China Daily 01/20/2011 page18)