Studying Chinese Language in Taiwan

By Cl. Young John, SDB

Tainan, Taiwan, 11 February 2017 -- Every year some 3-5 Salesians from different countries take advantage of our Salesian Technical School (1700 studetns) in Taiwan to study Chinese language in our large inter-cultural community.

First of all, thanks God for wonderful two years to be in Taiwan and also thanks my superiors who gave me a good chance to live in Tainan community to learn Chinese language. When living in Taiwan I'm not only study language but also learn a lot of good lessons about community life in Tainan community of Salesian Technical School.

For me, studying Chinese language is not easy, so that after two years of learning I can just have a simple conversation with Taiwanese or Chinese person. Moreover, I will continue to study Chinese language through my work and through my whole life. I was happy to study Mandarin in Tainan Language Center because they have a good system and excellent teachers. There are small class and also teaching one to one. There is also elective class for all students, like Pronunciation, Grammar, Taichi, Calligraphy, Painting or Conversion. With smaller classes they arrange from A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H to I. Of course, each semester they have examination and students who passed, can advance to the next level. Every semester, the Language Center has organized some activities for learning and having experience about Chinese culture, Taiwanese life and history. I think that this is a good way to let foreign students understand better Chinese language through visiting the villages and historical areas of their country.

During two years studying Chinese I myself had some problems with memory of Chinese characters; hence, I need to work hard and take time to review many times in order to I can improve my Chinese. Conversely, I feel very easy to speak to Taiwanese or Chinese people in Chinese. I finished H level and then I decided to stop studying Chinese language. After three years leaving Vietnam, my superiors allow me to go back to visit my family.

Next point is community life and apostolate in Tainan. I was really happy to live there because community has a good schedule time for prayer, meals together and I feel to be loved by all confreres there. Besides, everyday from Monday to Friday in the afternoon if I do not have class, I try to play basketball with students in our school and practice with them my Chinese. Furthermore, I want to make friend with them and share with them also my faith. That was my intention when I met them during playing time.

On the other hand, every Sunday, our community appointed me to accompany Vietnamese migrants and small group of young Taiwanese. Since they are all young people so I try to organize some activities to encourage them to return to our parish community. Especially, on Christmas, New Year or some holidays, as a result, they are really happy to join in our activities or to do some service for our parish or even in our technical school. I hope that through these activities they can improve their faith. Moreover the Vietnamese migrants can avoid to fall into social evil temptations in Taiwan.

This year, our community has one Aspirant in Taiwan so that our Rector wants me to accompany him as Assistant and I am also really happy to do this work and I try my best. After two months the relationship between both of us become very good like two brothers so that I feel natural to share with him my Salesian life. He also feels easy to share with me about himself and his dreams or even his weakness.

After all I would like to thanks for help and accompaniment of each person in my Salesian life in Taiwan and Hong Kong. May God and Mary Help of Christians bless them and protect their life. Now, I am looking forward to my two years practical training among the young people wherever i will be send!

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