Learn Yu Wen Learn Chinese language and culture.

Boston area translator and cultural guru Canaan Morse brings us his latest poem for the Chinese New Year.

Hu's in China

Come and give a round of applause for 庚寅年,
whom we saw coming. We know 虎 he is,
though not what he brings;
besides a new jacket and 鼠s for the baby,
expenses, a newsprinted war
between Muslim and 猪, and Oba马
still blowing on the trumpet of 猴pe
‘til he’s blue.

The Times and Time tell me that this year,
nothing is certain; but I’m not 蛇.
The places we’ve been 兔
are small indication of where we’ll 狗.
Hell, some say that 鸡sus will reappear,
though I don’t think so.
I only know
that I'm not getting any 羊ger, I’ve lost
some of what I was taking a龙
and will lose more soon. So tell me,
is this the year for things that are old—
or merely for that which was once 牛?

http://paper-republic.org/canaanmorse/contest-spring-festival-zodiac-poems/

You can read more of Canaan's writing at his Paper Republic profile: Canaan Morse.

A free podcast to learn Chinese. This is intended for intermediate level learners and goes hand in hand with our monthly learning journals.

Audio File: 

201002_intermediate.mp3

A free podcast to learn Chinese. This is intended for beginners and goes hand in hand with our monthly learning journals.

Audio File: 

201002_beginner.mp3

Apple today announced their much awaited tablet, the iPad. Read more information about it on Apple's website. One of its greatest features will be that of an eReader for Chinese eBooks. Details are still coming in, but it should be able to read Learn Yu Wen's monthly Chinese eBooks in their native PDF format. We'll also be publishing in native eBook formats such as ePub in the future.

Photo: Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times

With change comes opportunity. The NY Times has posted an article on how Chinese language learning is growing in American schools. And not just at the college level. Primary (K-12) schools are adopting Chinese teachers at increasing rates.

If you are a Chinese teacher looking for supplemental income, see our Jobs section. We're always looking for writers. If you'd like to post to our blog to gain exposure, simply signup for free and begin writing. Paid opportunities exist for qualified writers.

As children, many of us had the option of learning Spanish, Italian, or French. Times have changed in the last few decades. For one, Eastern European schoolchildren are no longer learning Russian after the fall of the Soviet Union. And while that has happened, China has emerged to be a major player worldwide. Not only are more people learning Chinese for geopolitical reasons such as bankers, investors, and businessmen, but many are learning for cultural reasons. 

Young students learning Chinese today will have a wealth of possibilities open to them when they grow up. Chinese music and movies will be exported in the future as American Hollywood has in the past.

Chinatown is a bountiful marketplace for shoppers. The smaller vendors offer many unique and one of a kind handmade items. And while they may seem expensive, don't be too shy to bargain. Bargaining is a favorite among many Chinese. Consumer Reports has a great guide to bargaining.

Upong seeing an item, point to it and say:
"Duo shao qian?"
How much? 

A typical rule may be to start anywhere from 10% to 30% of the asking price and work up from there. Don't be afraid of losing an opportunity. Some items like jewelry are handmade on a regular basis by vendors. The same styles may be sold for a number of weeks.

A free podcast to learn Chinese. This is intended for intermediate level learners and goes hand in hand with our monthly learning journals.

Audio File: 

201001_intermediate.mp3

A free podcast to learn Chinese. This is intended for beginners and goes hand in hand with our monthly learning journals.

Audio File: 

201001_beginner.mp3

We're hard at work on the 2010 Chinese language learning eBooks. Expect a much improved design, tutorials, lessons, and more.

Download a 5 page learn Chinese eBook. This is a draft sample from our January 2010 edition.

(PDF)