I want to learn a language

I didn't want to learn another language after High School unless I could be in the country that owned it. In school I learned Latin, French and Indonesian. After school I did a semester of Basic Spoken French and later a semester of Introductory Italian (Italian girlfriend, with Italian parents!). At school it was a drag. At university it was for fun. Neither gave me success. Neither made me fluent.

Jump forward 8 years and off I go to China with my wife and two young children. We stayed there 9 years. I studied 2 years of Mandarin and 2 years of Uygur (in North-West China). I then took a job teaching English in a university. So I achieved success.

I still don't understand what being 'fluent' in a language means, however I know what it feels like to be able to communicate - to make myself understood. Understanding others is also a buzz.

And now I'm back in Sydney, working in an English College. I need to maintain my Mandarin. I'd also like to help others begin to learn Mandarin and progress in English. Whatever your situation, send me a note.

Tell me your joys and sorrows in chasing another language.