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I decided to keep a diary in Chinese. When I study Chinese, I read, listen and speak it, but I rarely write it. Writing is important. On the HSK test, there are some writing questions, so I need to be able to write.

Also, writing is output. I need more output. I practice speaking with my teacher once a week, but this is not enough. I need to practice more. When I have my Chinese lesson, I ask my teacher to correct my mistakes, and then we talk about the content of my diary.

When I write in my diary, I use the grammar patterns I have studied. I try to use the vocabulary I have studied too. This helps me to remember words and phrases.

I don’t write in my diary every day. I usually write once or twice a week. I want to write more though. I will try to schedule more time into my days to write.

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

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Every year, I read about twenty-four books. That is two a month, on average. I want to read more, but I have many things to do. This year, my plan was to read one English book, then one Japanese book, then one English book, then one Japanese book, and so on. This hasn’t happened. So far, I have read seventeen English books and only three Japanese books.

I think one reason is that I have an English Kindle. It is so easy to buy English books. I just click a button, and I have the book. I don’t have a Japanese kindle, so if I want to buy a book, I have to go to the bookstore or wait for the books to arrive by post. Now I’m thinking of getting a Japanese kindle. Maybe that will help me to read more Japanese books.

Another reason is that I read Japanese all day when I work. I translate from Japanese to English, so at night, when I am tired, I want to read something easy and light. And I want to read in English. Reading in English is important. I translate into English, so I have to keep my English writing level high. To do this, I need to read, write and use English.

I enjoy reading in both languages, but I think I should try to read more Japanese books next year. Actually, I should try to read more English books too.

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press

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I am busy at work every day, and sometimes it seems like I have no time to study. I want to pass level 3 on the HSK Chinese test early next year, so I must study.

Every evening, I write a “to-do list” for the next day. I write each task and also when I am going to do that task – am, pm, or night. I have started to add my study to my to-do list. So, I make study part of my working day.

At first, I felt bad about this. I thought, “I should be working, why am I using the time to study?” But now, I think, “Studying a language is an investment in myself.” Language learning is important because knowing another language opens new doors.

After I passed the highest level on the Japanese proficiency test, many doors opened. I hope this will happen when I pass the Chinese test. Of course, I don’t want to stop at level 3. I want to pass level 6, which is the highest grade. So, I have to study every day.

I had to change my way of thinking. Of course, studying languages is fun, and it is my hobby, but it is also work. Now, I don’t feel bad about putting it on my to-do list every day.

By Heather @ I Talk You Talk Press