I wasn't exactly looking forward to this season of Dancing with the Stars. I mean, everyone's heard of Kirstie Alley, but the rest of the cast hasn't made US Weekly in years-- if ever!But I was surprised to find I really liked the show. There are several front-runners, but unlike the last couple seasons, there isn't an especially experienced dancer among them. They're all just learning, and I think it will make for a great competition!
Oh, how I hope Hulu will work in China!
Anyway, the part that makes me laugh every time is when the star is learning a brand-new dance step, and while they're just stumbling through the basic steps, their coach is shouting, "Okay now, look up! Smile! Exude confidence! Don't look down!"
How crazy is that?! I mean, on the one hand, if you learn the steps while frowning at your feet, you'll be more likely to perform that way-- but on the other hand, give them a break! They're just beginning!
It reminds me of my piano lessons in high school. I'd show up to my lesson just learning the notes to a new song. As I'd sit there and struggle to hit all the sharps and flats, my teacher would tell me, "Hey, that's a staccato! This section is forte! Now, lift your hand at the end of the phrase!"
How crazy is that?! I mean, I'm missing notes so much that it hardly sounds like music, and you're worried about dynamics? Phrasing?! Aaaaah! (pulls out hair)
Now I'm teaching one of my friends Chinese. I'll teach her to say some difficult Chinese word, requiring vowels we don't really use in English, such as 橘子 (ju2 zi, tangerine). She repeats it after me several times, eventually with the right sounds coming out of her mouth. I should congratulate her: "Good job! You've mastered this ridiculously difficult sound of this crazy foreign language!"
But no, I'm not satisfied-- we need the right TONES! Sure, the sound you made said "ju zi," but you didn't say the right tone, so I'm sorry, it just doesn't mean anything close to what you meant. It needs to go up, like you're saying a question. Yes, kind of like that, but now we need the same vowel sound, same consonants, different tones.
They should make a new reality-TV show about learning Chinese. The ratings would go through the roof!
4 comments:
I just applied as the English teaching side of a Chinese dual immersion program. Perhaps I will learn a few Chinese words too! Hopefully I'll get all those tones and sounds correct :)
That would be an awesome reality show!
Are you really sure you want to share with the world that u watch Dancing with the Stars? :-)
Hulu is great, its like DVR or Tivo for poor people. Hope you can get it in China just for those times you need a break from all the cultural expereinces and just want to hear some english.... Maybe that doesn't happen to you though :)
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