become fluent in mandarin

Took four semesters of Zhongwen at UCF and used the New Practical Chinese Reader Texts but I still feel like I don’t know diddlysquat. I can get the gist of what my boyfriend and his family say when they talk to each other but I can only form very basic sentences. I would like to reach the point where I can fully understand what is being said and speak enough to tell jokes, have polite discussions, and explain how I feel or what I need.

Right now I’m listening to Serge Melnik’s listening files while I drive and I hope to watch more Taiwanese dramas to get a better sense of the language’s pace. And I might go over some NPCR texts for the vocabulary. I should write and chat to my Chinese language exchange friends more often, possibly use the mic feature on MSN. Maybe start skimming blogs? Although I’m nowhere near that level yet.

I wonder where I can get a hold of Chinese kid shows online though. Maybe I’ll just grab a few things when I’m in Shanghai or Taipei…

—-update june 26, 2009-——

I found a Chinese tutor that can help me get my speaking up to speed for 4-6 hours a week! Also, planning on attending a Chinese school on Saturdays starting August. I’m real excited.

In the meantime, I’m getting an overview of Chinese history from John King Fairbank’s China A New History.

—-update june 30, 2009-—-—

I’ve been reviewing from my old textbooks from college, 新实用汉语课本. Right now I’m trying to review about 3 chapters a day. I’m almost done with book one.

As of now, according to the book, I am capable of (albeit in a plain and simple way):

问候别人， 文需要，人指认， 问国籍， 问姓名， 自我介绍， 请求允许， 找人， 告别， 问地点，道谢，评论，建议，请求重复，婉拒，初次见面，谈专业，谈家庭，问职业，谈学校，约会，问年龄和出生，祝贺生日，喜欢不喜欢，解决语言困难，买东西 … etc.

If I ever visit China, I don’t want to look like a fool.

I started learning Mandarin serious 18 months ago. I originally gave myself 6 months to master it. I am already a year behind schedule. But I believe I can still achieve my goal! I will give myself 4 more months to do it!

Here is my plan for the next 4 months:
1) Reading – can read about 75% now. Need to read more simplified Chinese, most likely from the Internet.
2) Listening – can understand conversations spoken with a normal speed. I am going to listen to the conversations between the fastest Mandarin speakers in my department. They always have lunch together.
3) Oral – can communicate but not fluent. Need to make some Mandarin-speaking friends.
4) Writing – Can’t write. No plan.