Tell me more ×
Chinese Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for students, teachers, and linguists wanting to discuss the finer points of the Chinese language. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 13 down vote favorite
1

Living in Utah, I find it quite difficult to find places to practice speaking Chinese, especially Cantonese. Apart from accosting people in stores and other public places when I happen to hear them speaking Chinese and bugging servers in Chinese restaurants, the only other Chinese I get is to try and hone my (admittedly very poor) Mandarin with a couple of my coworkers. Where do you folks go to get practice speaking Chinese? Is there somewhere I can find others in my area with whom to practice?

share|improve this question
Just out of curiosity, are you trying to learn to speak Mandarin and Cantonese at the same time? – StarCub Dec 13 '11 at 22:36
I already speak Cantonese and am "learning" to speak Mandarin when I'm able to spend time on it. – Zannjaminderson Dec 13 '11 at 22:40
I'd like to know the answer to this..except all the way in Croatia! :( – dr Hannibal Lecter Dec 13 '11 at 23:12
Unless you feel it's inappropriate, consider using Chinese in some of the less upmarket Japanese restaurants as well - in Australia at least, some of them are staffed by Chinese. – Andrew Grimm Dec 25 '11 at 14:31

4 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

  1. Search online to try and find sites that provide language exchange. These are a good opportunity to have regular lessons and give at the same time as receiving.

  2. Try and find or organise meet-ups in your area. I know a friend who is learning at the moment and he catches up every Saturday morning with about 3 or 4 others. This was organised by putting up a couple of posters at a local colleges that teaches different languages to adults.

  3. Young Chinese people like to do a kind of "chat roulette" on Skype and QQ. I don't know specific details, but if you are brave!

  4. If you have a China town district sit on a bench and wait. This may sound impractical, but it all depends on your area. Our local shopping district has a high Chinese population and a limited number of public chairs/tables. I can often find someone to chat to while my wife goes to buy meat.

  5. If you live close to a university you will find they have societies and other social groups which have a high number of overseas students such as "Chinese student friendship association" or something similar. Try and get connected with students via your local campus. There are plenty of students looking to share and make friends.

  6. Attend Chinese community social activities. Tree planting, New Years celebrations whatever.

share|improve this answer
There are websites dedicated to meetups in general, and foreign language speaking groups are some of the most popular groups (at least for Sydney, Australia). – Andrew Grimm Dec 25 '11 at 14:25
up vote 1 down vote

One strategy I use is shopping whenever I can at shops with Chinese speaking proprietors (Fast-food, groceries, restaurants, anything). I use a bit of Chinese, this generally interests them, and you will find that you have a small conversation with this person every time you go there. (Incidentally this is also a great way to get discounts :)

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

If you get cable or "direct" TV, you can get a Chinese language channel, even in Utah.

That won't help your speaking (unless you choose to "mouth" along with the program). But it will help your LISTENING, and provide a good foundation for speaking later.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

The only place that comes to my mind is looking for an international penpal, getting to know each other and using a chatting service that allows you two to call using a webcam.

That way you can also "choose" a Cantonese speaker, and considering those sites, also with similar interests that you have.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.