Becoming Comfortable With Advanced Basic Chinese

Dive: Linguist - Chinese (Mandarin)
Description: Can read, write, speak, and understand a particular type of Chinese
Level: Level 2
Level Requirements: Can read, write, speak, and understand Chinese (Mandarin) at an advanced-basic level
Certified On: Dec 7, 2024

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Monroe Mann Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 15 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I really became serious about improving my basic Chinese when I decided to quit my job as a public defender in 2014, and move to China to teach English (and study Chinese).

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

My Chinese improved greatly in just the first 3 months I was there. I'd say it took me from March 2014 - May 2014 to reach the Advanced Basic Level of Mandarin Chinese. I studied about 15 - 20 hours per week.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The characters and the tones. As an English speaker, it took a while to start to feel comfortable with these two strange qualities of the Chinese language.

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The grammar. There are no conjugations, which make learning the grammar infinitely easier than with most other languages. Therefore, once you overcome the characters and tones, it's really just a matter of learning more and more Hanzi (the characters) and increasing your vocabulary.

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

The tones and the characters are going to scare you. That is probably the number one reason people give up on moving to higher levels of Chinese: they give up after learning the basics because the tones and characters scare them off. Don't allow that to happen. Just keep pushing through, and eventually, the tones and characters will look just like A, B, C to you.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

I love the Boya book series and the Developing Chinese book series. I will link to both of them below. I also recommend eChinese Learning.

Resource 1: eChinese Learning - All teachers in China. All classes online. Super affordable and wonderful teachers. Mention Monroe Mann for free classes.

Resource 2: BOYA Chinese Elementary 2 - BOYA is a fantastic progressive Chinese learning textbook series. All the way to advanced!

Resource 3: Developing Chinese Listening Course 1 - Listening comprehension is absolutely key! This book series will help a lot.

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

In China, I was always (and still am) amazed at how the eyes of Chinese people light up when I speak to them in Chinese. Even in those first few months in China, with my advanced basic Chinese, I impressed them. And made them so happy.

在中国，每一次我和中国人说话，他们真的开心。为什么？是因为大部分的外国人不能说汉语! 特别是因为我有白色的皮肤。所以，每一次我说中文，他们都很感动！这个外国人会说一点一点的汉语！这是为什么我很喜欢住在中国--他们真喜欢我。哈哈。

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

1. All of the Break Diving members from China can confirm my Chinese abilities.
2. I have led a number of Chinese Chat events here on Break Diving, both in the chatroom, and live on zoom with audio and video.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

当人！ Absolutely! My hope is to become undeniably fluent in Chinese one day in the near future!

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets. The community motto is: Dream Big. Mentor Often. Achieve Together.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Monroe Mann is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Linguist - Chinese (Mandarin) - Level 2. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

[Certificate Coming Soon]

Certificate number: 376

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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