My Language Journey

Summary

Jordan Griffin, a student from a small town in Kentucky, shares his journey of learning to teach English as a second language. His story takes us through his life-changing experience in China, where he improved his Chinese language skills while studying in Shanghai and traveled extensively. From Beijing to Xi'an, he embraced Chinese culture, history, and life skills, making lifelong friends and unforgettable memories.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jordan Griffin is a student at UNCG studying to teach English to speakers of other languages.
• 🏘️ Jordan hails from London, Kentucky, a small town with a population of 8,000, contrasting with Greensboro's 287,000 residents.
• 🌏 In 2014, Jordan studied in Shanghai, China, a city much larger than Greensboro, with a population ratio of 1:85.
• 🌐 Jordan's initial Chinese language skills were not strong, and he attended classes with classmates from diverse countries.
• 🤝 The students used both English and Chinese to communicate, which helped them improve their Chinese language skills over time.
• 🏞️ Jordan traveled extensively in China, visiting Beijing, Sitang, Yangzhou, the Shaolin Monastery, and Xi'an, among other places.
• 🤸‍♂️ He observed monks practicing kung fu and hanon at the Shaolin Monastery, which was a memorable cultural experience.
• 🎉 Jordan spent Chinese New Year in Yangzhou, experiencing a significant cultural event.
• 🗺️ His travels also included visiting the world's largest standing Buddha in Sichuan and exploring the ancient Silk Road city of Xi'an.
• 🍲 Jordan enjoyed the local food and pleasant weather in Chengdu, highlighting the culinary diversity of China.
• 🚇 Through his experiences, Jordan learned not only the Chinese language but also about Chinese history, culture, and practical life skills such as using the subway and bargaining at markets.

Q & A

Who is the narrator of the story?

The narrator is Jordan Griffin.

What is Jordan Griffin's current field of study?

Jordan Griffin is studying to teach English to speakers of other languages at UNCG (University of North Carolina at Greensboro).

Where is Jordan Griffin originally from?

Jordan Griffin is from a small town called London, Kentucky.

How does Jordan describe the population difference between London, Kentucky, and Greensboro?

Jordan explains that for every one person in London, Kentucky, there are 30 people in Greensboro.

What major city in China did Jordan live in during 2014?

Jordan lived in Shanghai, China, in 2014.

How does the population of Shanghai compare to that of Greensboro according to Jordan?

For every one person in Greensboro, there would be 85 people in Shanghai.

What was the initial language barrier Jordan faced in China?

Initially, Jordan did not know Chinese very well, and communication among classmates from different countries was sometimes in English.

What were some of the places Jordan visited in China?

Jordan visited Beijing, Sitang, Yangzhou, the Shaolin Monastery, the ancient city of Xi'an, and Chengdu.

What cultural activities did Jordan participate in during his visit to the Shaolin Monastery?

Jordan watched the monks practice kung fu and hanon at the Shaolin Monastery.

What life skills did Jordan learn while in China?

Jordan learned how to ride the subway and how to bargain for a better price at the market.

How did Jordan's experience in China impact his life?

Jordan's experience in China allowed him to learn Chinese, make friends from around the world, and gain knowledge about Chinese history, people, culture, and food.