My Multilingual Journey
A language learning experience across cultures.
I was born in the Chaoshan region of southern China, where my native language is Teochew. Over the years, I have learned and used several languages in different ways: through family, school, television, study abroad, work, friendship, travel, and daily life.
This journey has shaped the way I teach Chinese. I know what it feels like to start from zero, to understand but not speak, to feel stuck, and to need a clear learning path.
My Language Background at a Glance
Each language in my life taught me something different about learning. Some languages came naturally through environment and input. Others required formal study, repetition, immersion, and active practice.
My Language Journey
My first language environment
I was born in the Chaoshan region of southern China. Growing up, everyone around me spoke Teochew, and even in elementary and middle school, many classes were conducted in Teochew.
This experience made me aware from an early age that “Chinese” is not only one sound or one way of speaking. Different Chinese-speaking communities can have very different language habits, accents, and cultural expressions.
Learning through school and media
Mandarin Chinese became my second native language through formal language arts classes, television programs, and wider communication outside my local dialect environment.
This helped me understand how a language can move from “school knowledge” to something natural and automatic through repeated exposure and daily use.
The power of comprehensible input
During my childhood, I often watched Hong Kong films and Guangzhou television programs. By listening to Cantonese while reading subtitles, I naturally acquired the language through repeated, meaningful input.
Although I never formally studied Cantonese, I can understand about 90% of what I hear. However, because I rarely speak it in daily life or work, my productive skills remain limited.
Breaking through “mute English”
I began learning English in fifth grade and was immediately drawn to language learning. I often achieved excellent exam results, but until university, my English remained largely passive knowledge — what many learners call “mute English.”
My breakthrough came during my study abroad experience in Japan, where I began using English communicatively with international friends who could not speak Japanese well. Later, work experiences and friendships with native speakers helped me develop stronger oral proficiency.
My first foreign language major
Japanese was my university major and the first foreign language I studied deeply. During my freshman and sophomore years, I attended Japanese classes and spent a lot of time practicing outside class.
However, my listening comprehension and speaking fluency were weaker than classmates who regularly watched Japanese variety shows and anime. This showed me the power of authentic materials for language acquisition.
Later, strong academic performance earned me a one-year exchange opportunity in Japan. This was my first experience with total immersion, and my Japanese improved rapidly.
Starting from zero in a natural environment
Thai became another important language in my learning journey when I moved to Thailand in February 2024 and spent a year in Chiang Mai.
With six hours of Thai classes every week, this was my first experience learning a language in-country from an absolute beginner level. Because I could use previous learning strategies and benefit from the local environment, I noticed significantly faster progress.
Learning a new language for real life
In 2025, I began exploring French as another foreign language. French pronunciation and grammar feel more challenging to me than some of the other languages I have learned.
My husband is French, but we mainly communicate in English, so my French did not improve automatically. This helps me deeply understand students whose partners are Chinese: even when you have someone around you who can speak Chinese every day, it is still difficult to improve without systematic learning and active practice.
Now that we live in France, French has become a survival skill for me. My learning approach has also changed: instead of always following a textbook order, I now prioritize the language I truly need for daily life, administration, appointments, shopping, and real communication.
What This Journey Taught Me
Input matters
Cantonese showed me that repeated, meaningful input can build strong listening comprehension, even without formal study.
Japanese showed me that textbooks alone are not enough. Authentic videos, conversations, and real-life materials help language become alive.
French has taught me that learning does not always need to follow a fixed order. When a language becomes necessary for real life, learning the most urgent and practical content first can be the fastest way to improve.
Output matters too
English showed me that understanding a language is different from being able to use it. Speaking and writing require active practice.
Thai and French remind me that beginners need structure, repetition, and encouragement — not just more vocabulary lists.
You do not need to be perfect
Although I have spent many years learning foreign languages, especially English and Japanese, I want to be honest: my language skills are not perfect.
I use English every day in my work and life, but I still often say sentences with grammar mistakes, even when I know they are not perfect. However, I can complete communication tasks, and when I do not know a word, I can explain my meaning with simpler words.
My Japanese used to be very fluent, but because I use it much less now, I have forgotten many things. Still, when I travel to Japan with friends, I can guide them, communicate, and solve real problems.
My French is still very basic, but I am learning and improving every day. So what I want to say is this: you do not need to speak perfect Chinese. As long as you keep learning, the things you can express will become more and more.
As a Chinese teacher, this is why I care about both structure and real use. Students need clear explanations, but they also need input, practice, feedback, and chances to use Chinese in meaningful situations.
My Language Learning Method
Based on years of multilingual experience, this is the learning approach that works well for me. Different learners need different methods, but the core idea is simple: understand deeply, practice repeatedly, then expand input and output.
Learn the material clearly
First, I go through the material carefully. I highlight unfamiliar vocabulary, check meanings in dictionaries, and make sure I understand the text or audio before practicing it.
Practice until it becomes familiar
I use shadowing practice: first pausing after each sentence to copy pronunciation, then gradually moving toward real-time shadowing for fluency.
Train listening without the transcript
After practicing with the text, I listen again without looking. Sometimes I transcribe what I hear to find missing words, weak listening points, and unfamiliar expressions.
Review with flashcards
I create flashcards for words, phrases, and sentences that need more practice. This helps me review actively instead of only rereading passively.
Expand input and output
After building a foundation, I increase input through reading, videos, and real materials. At the same time, I practice output through speaking, writing, messaging, journaling, and conversation.
Intensive Practice and Extensive Practice
Intensive practice
Intensive practice means spending more time on one material until I understand it well and can use some of the words, patterns, and expressions actively.
- Detailed vocabulary checking.
- Sentence-by-sentence listening and shadowing.
- Repeated pronunciation practice.
- Transcription and correction.
- Focused review with flashcards.
Extensive practice
Extensive practice means increasing exposure through more reading and listening. It helps build familiarity, vocabulary, cultural understanding, and natural language sense.
- Reading more texts at a comfortable level.
- Watching videos and real-life materials.
- Listening for the main idea.
- Not stopping for every unknown word.
- Building a natural feeling for the language.
Intensive practice usually gives stronger results, but it requires more time and energy. Extensive practice is also valuable because it keeps you connected with the language and helps you build long-term familiarity.
My Advice for Language Learners
Do not only collect materials
Many learners spend too much time looking for perfect materials and not enough time using them. Choose one good material, understand it, practice it, and return to it.
Do not fear mistakes
Mistakes are not proof that you are bad at languages. They show you what needs correction. Feedback helps you notice problems and improve faster.
Small drops wear away stone
When life is busy, staying consistent is truly difficult. You can lower the difficulty for yourself. Even ten minutes of study every day is still progress.
Small, repeated effort may look slow, but over time it can create real change.
Through this multilingual journey, I have learned that every language has its own challenges and rewards. The key is to find methods that work for your learning style, stay consistent, and remain patient with the natural ups and downs of language learning.