“I believe there is no age limit to study another language. Just keep dedicating yourself to learning and improving your Chinese, TutorABC will definitely help you achieve that goal.”
Felipe, a 41-year-old project manager from Brazil, has been in Taiwan for 13 years and has fully embraced the local culture and connected with the community.
Felipe came to Taiwan for work when he was 28 years old. “In 2010, I had the opportunity to be relocated to Taiwan, and I accepted. Initially, it was a three-year contract, but I really liked living in Taiwan, so I decided to find a job and stay here.” Little did he know that this decision would lead to 13 years in Taiwan.
However, Felipe admitted that he did not put a lot of effort into learning Chinese until 3 years ago. “One of my excuses (not to learn Chinese) is that I speak Portuguese and Spanish, and I usually use Portuguese, Spanish, and English at work. It seemed like there was no need for me to speak too much Chinese; but then I realized that after living here for 9 years; I should really take Chinese learning seriously”.
When Felipe started taking TutorABC Chinese courses at the beginning of 2023, he improved significantly in just a few months. “The teachers are quite friendly and easy to talk to. They are professional and well-prepared. The course materials are well-organized, whether it’s strengthening conversation skills, vocabulary, or grammar. The overall structure is very comprehensive and easy to absorb,” Felipe shared.
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Each student’s Chinese proficiency is evaluated by the teachers in the first class. Then, TutorABC Chinese customizes the courses through the use of AI Matching technology. “What I love most about TutorABC Chinese is that besides teaching, teachers also share a lot of cultural information. It’s very helpful for foreigners who want to learn more about Taiwan. Another advantage is the flexibility of class scheduling. As a working professional, sometimes there are overtime demands, so having the flexibility to adjust class timings keeps me motivated. TutorABC does an excellent job in this aspect by always having classes available.”
After learning with TutorABC Chinese for a while, Felipe has made significant progress in his Chinese proficiency, and his friends have also noticed the improvement. “My friends would say, ‘Oh my god, your Chinese has improved a lot.’ They were amazed, and I feel proud of myself as well. They say that I can speak some phrases that only local Taiwanese people would use, like “Wa-Sai” which means “wow”, it’s pretty cool.” Felipe added with a smile.
When asked to describe TutorABC Chinese courses using three adjectives, Felipe chose intuitive, enlightening, and organized. “First, the teaching and presentation of the materials by the teachers are intuitive, making it easy for students to learn. At the same time, the courses are enlightening because they provide interesting cultural and knowledge insights that I was not aware of before. Finally, TutorABC’s teaching resources are well-organized. I particularly like the style of TutorABC learning platform, where I can review the recorded lessons and ask questions after class.” Felipe explained.
It is always challenging to learn a new language, especially for adults. Amid a busy life, adapting to another language is not easy. Felipe’s advice for other foreigners who want to learn Chinese is to be patient. “In the beginning, progress may be slower, and it takes time to improve gradually. But learning a language while living abroad can help integrate into the local society and make life easier for you.”
Felipe also shared that the most challenging part of learning Chinese for foreigners is definitely the tones, because even slight variations can completely change the meaning. “My teacher constantly corrects my tones during every class, telling me that it is not pronounced that way and asking me to say it again. For example, when I first learned the four tones of Zhuyin phonetic notation (注音符號), it was so challenging. Foreigners simply couldn’t distinguish the differences. One classic example is ma (媽), má (麻), mǎ(馬), mà(罵). It’s really difficult. Even now, I’m still not entirely clear about the meanings of each character. But the teachers always use gestures to assist in the beginning, demonstrating the first and second tones, and some people even nod vigorously. It’s quite interesting.” Felipe recalled.
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Practical application in daily life is the key to achieving true mastery when learning a language. Felipe shared his strategies for learning outside the classroom, which include engaging more with Taiwanese friends and strangers. “Try speaking to convenience store clerks more. Communicating with people you’re not familiar with is really a great indicator of your progress in Chinese. Talking and chatting with strangers is the best practice.” Felipe revealed.
“As a middle-aged office worker, I didn’t expect to make such great progress in language learning at this age, but the courses at TutorABC Chinese have made me enjoy the journey.” Felipe shared sincerely. He aspires to pass the HSK Chinese proficiency exam one day, with his ultimate goal being fluent in Chinese speaking. “It may take many years, but that’s my goal!”
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