So, since last Wednesday, I've been taking a Chinese class at the campus. Its a sort of academy thing, and is three weeks and 3 days long. You get paid $1000 bucks for finishing it, free lunches, free textbooks, free headset, etc. Its worth 5 college credits and is the equivalent of Chinese 101 in college.
The catch? Yes, there is one.
From 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, you do nothing but study Chinese. Each day is worth like a week of class, so attendance is important. After you leave class, you have AT LEAST 2-4 hours of homework. You aren't allowed a job or anything after class so that you can devote your time to your work.
The classes are videotaped, as well as video conference sessions with two other campuses participating simultaneously. If you mess up, yes, there is a record of it.
So far, its been sort of interesting. You start out ramming your head into the wall as you realize your summer has been temporarily been cut short. Then you do some more ramming because you have homework. But once you remember what the benefits are, you must rationalize. Sure, you desire free time, but "its only for three weeks, right?".
I've found myself driving my head into a wall on many an occasion, but the fact that it gives me something more to do than stare at a forum where people post once every few hours, I think of it as just something to do. Homework sucks, especially during the summer. When you remember everyone else has free time and you don't, it gets to be a sort of downer, but you just have to swing with the punches.
I can currently ask you your name, how you are, describe you, introduce myself, and make you repeat yourself. Day 1 is like "learn all the instructions your teacher will give you".
We'll learn to read and write eventually.
The catch? Yes, there is one.
From 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, you do nothing but study Chinese. Each day is worth like a week of class, so attendance is important. After you leave class, you have AT LEAST 2-4 hours of homework. You aren't allowed a job or anything after class so that you can devote your time to your work.
The classes are videotaped, as well as video conference sessions with two other campuses participating simultaneously. If you mess up, yes, there is a record of it.
So far, its been sort of interesting. You start out ramming your head into the wall as you realize your summer has been temporarily been cut short. Then you do some more ramming because you have homework. But once you remember what the benefits are, you must rationalize. Sure, you desire free time, but "its only for three weeks, right?".
I've found myself driving my head into a wall on many an occasion, but the fact that it gives me something more to do than stare at a forum where people post once every few hours, I think of it as just something to do. Homework sucks, especially during the summer. When you remember everyone else has free time and you don't, it gets to be a sort of downer, but you just have to swing with the punches.
I can currently ask you your name, how you are, describe you, introduce myself, and make you repeat yourself. Day 1 is like "learn all the instructions your teacher will give you".
We'll learn to read and write eventually.
