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locker_monster(Rant time!)
I have to say learning Chinese for these past three years has been fun. I actually know a language that most people couldn't figure out at first glance. But lately I've been hating it more and more. It's not really the professor's fault; I'm more annoyed with the Chinese program as a whole I suppose.
Every year they have a speech competition. During my first year you wrote something and the professor chose two beginner students to take part in the competition. By the time you hit the intermediate level, you don't get a choice. You're automatically entered based on the criteria that you're enrolled in a Chinese class. I guess in the eyes of the competition people your willingness to be in a Chinese class means you want to participate. Um, no. I hate that we don't get a say in this. Yes, it's part of our mark, but I don't want to speak in front of a panel of judges for a prize I know I won't win. A panel of judges who ding a bell if you go over your time limit.
In addition, this year they're holding the speech competition in conjunction with Chinese New Year's celebrations. I'm not required to go to the celebration, but my prof basically is bribing us with bonus marks if we do go. I was even considering going just for the bonus marks when the prof sprang on the class lyrics for a Chinese song. A song, for whatever reason, that every Chinese program student must sing at the celebration. Wait, I didn't sign up for that at all. What happened to free will? Now it's bribes all around. The prof wants six students to sing the song on stage. Those who want to will receive a gift. You know, there's a reason why not a lot of the students have shown up for these things. Forcing us to sing isn't going to make it better.
I'm in my last year. I think I've just stopped caring.
I have to say learning Chinese for these past three years has been fun. I actually know a language that most people couldn't figure out at first glance. But lately I've been hating it more and more. It's not really the professor's fault; I'm more annoyed with the Chinese program as a whole I suppose.
Every year they have a speech competition. During my first year you wrote something and the professor chose two beginner students to take part in the competition. By the time you hit the intermediate level, you don't get a choice. You're automatically entered based on the criteria that you're enrolled in a Chinese class. I guess in the eyes of the competition people your willingness to be in a Chinese class means you want to participate. Um, no. I hate that we don't get a say in this. Yes, it's part of our mark, but I don't want to speak in front of a panel of judges for a prize I know I won't win. A panel of judges who ding a bell if you go over your time limit.
In addition, this year they're holding the speech competition in conjunction with Chinese New Year's celebrations. I'm not required to go to the celebration, but my prof basically is bribing us with bonus marks if we do go. I was even considering going just for the bonus marks when the prof sprang on the class lyrics for a Chinese song. A song, for whatever reason, that every Chinese program student must sing at the celebration. Wait, I didn't sign up for that at all. What happened to free will? Now it's bribes all around. The prof wants six students to sing the song on stage. Those who want to will receive a gift. You know, there's a reason why not a lot of the students have shown up for these things. Forcing us to sing isn't going to make it better.
I'm in my last year. I think I've just stopped caring.
