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We all know what it is said about learning Chinese: it is such a difficult language to grasp, starting from the writing system and ending with the four different tones that need to be mastered in order to speak.
In this article we will prove all of this wrong and give you valid reasons to start learning this language! Find out here why you should learn Chinese and embark in an
Au Pair adventure in China!
1. Most spoken language in the world
You probably already know this - around 1.2 billion people speak at least one of the 7 Chinese dialects as their native language. Chinese is surprisingly spoken not only in China, but also in many other countries nearby, concentrating in South East Asia.
It is true that Chinese is not considered a lingua franca as English is (YET!), but it will definitely be useful for many different reasons - keep reading!
2. It’s easier than you think
Then why do people think that it is so difficult? Because of the writing system, people expect the rest of the language to also be extremely difficult.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to master the written language before you will be able to speak it. Indeed, the Chinese language has more than 100,000 characters but only around 3500 are generally used in the everyday language. This means that you can actually start speaking pretty soon in your learning process.
Do not worry about grasping the four different tones that characterise the language: they are not too crucial when speaking, as Chinese people tend to use the context more in order to understand which of the four different possible words you are referring to. So if you are worried about testing your language proficiency with your
Chinese Host Family or with your
Chinese Au Pair, don’t worry! They will be happy to see that you are trying.
In terms of grammar, good news - it is basically non existent! There are no verb tenses, no plural tenses, no subject-verb agreement and no conjugations. Amazing right? For this reason, you can definitely become fluent in the same amount of time as any other language.
3. More business and personal growth opportunities
From a business point of view, nowadays there is a huge demand for Chinese-speaking people, as China is becoming more and more involved in the Western market.
But besides the fact that this language could boost your career significantly, it could also open so many other doors: as not many Chinese people speak English at a high level, speaking their language would also give you the opportunity to
make friends, either where you live but also if you decide to move to South East Asia.
4. Beautiful culture and literature
Besides the fact that Chinese is a visually beautiful language due to its ideograms, which are drawn with elegant strokes, getting to know the language will give you the opportunity to access the wonderful and ancient culture, history and literature of the country. Moreover, the vast Chinese literary field, rich in novels and poetry, will give you the chance to improve your proficiency while you are also immersing yourself in the culture.
If you don’t particularly enjoy reading, the Internet can still be an option for you! Indeed, as you may know, the online platforms in China are slightly different from the rest of the world and, for this reason, the Internet is full of original content, like memes, videos, etc. that you can explore.
If food is your greatest passion, by learning Chinese you will definitely become an expert in their cuisine, and you will exactly know what you’re eating when you’re at a Chinese restaurant.
So, there is something for everybody!
Don't forget that by taking part in the
Au Pair program in China you will be able to experience all of these aspects at the same time!
5. Many ways to learn it
The Internet is full of resources to learn languages, so if you cannot or do not want to attend a
language course before you travel to China, you can do it from the comfort of your home, through apps or online courses. In many cases, you can also contact Chinese tutors that teach the language online.
The best option to boost your knowledge would be to take part in the Au Pair program! By
going to China and immersing yourself in the culture and the language firsthand, or also by hosting a Chinese Au Pair, you will experience the authentic customs and traditions, while also improving your language skills!