引言

Introduction

在这个被算法和即时翻译定义的时代，我们为什么还要花笨功夫去学一门语言？

In an age defined by algorithms and instant translation, why do we still spend slow, painstaking hours learning a language?

答案或许不在效率里，而在人与人的真实连接中。

Perhaps the answer lies not in efficiency, but in genuine human connection.

自我介绍

Self Introduction

十个月前，来自德国的旅行书作者 Berta 和家人搬进上海。她把这次停留，视为一场深度的文化“田野调查” —— 不仅为写书，也为走进一个家族的语言与记忆。在 Mandarin Inn 的上海老洋房里，她开始用一种更诚实的方式贴近中文，也重新理解 “交流” 这件事。

Ten months ago, Berta Luise Heide, a German travel guide author, moved to Shanghai with her family. She saw this stay as a deep cultural "field study"—not just for her writing, but to walk into the language and memory of a family. Inside a vintage Shanghai villa, at Mandarin Inn, she began to approach Chinese with honesty, and in doing so, rediscovered what it really means to communicate.

她的故事没有速成的神话，却有一种珍贵的东西：耐心、真实，和对另一个文化世界持久的好奇。

Her story offers no myth of speed-learning. What it holds is rarer: patience, authenticity, and an enduring curiosity for another cultural universe.

为什么来到中国

Why China?

Berta 的旅程，始于一个非常个人的决定。

Berta's journey began with a deeply personal decision.

“我男朋友的家人来自上海，我们想让儿子在中国的幼儿园待上一年，感受这里的文化。同时，这也是我一直以来的愿望——能真正在中国生活一段时间。”

"My boyfriend's family is from Shanghai, and we wanted our son to spend a year in a local kindergarten to experience the culture. At the same time, it has always been a big dream of mine to truly live in China."

学中文有必要吗？

Is It Useful to Learn Chinese?

在这之前，她已经学习了两年中文，每周一次。那种缓慢而持续的节奏，让她能应付简单的对话，却也深知，距离 “真正的交流” 还很远。于是，到达上海后，她做了一个计划：四个月，在 Mandarin Inn 投入高强度的中文学习，小组课和一对一结合。她把这十个月，看作一次把自己 “浸润” 在语言里的机会。

Before arriving, she had already studied Chinese once a week for two years—a rhythm that helped her manage simple dialogues but also made her aware of the long distance from "real conversation." So, upon settling in Shanghai, she made a clear plan: four months of intensive Mandarin study at Mandarin Inn, combining group and private lessons. She saw these ten months as a chance to immerse herself in the language.

学习技巧

Learning Hacks

谈到学习方法，Berta 有一种德国式的严谨和纪律。

When it comes to learning methods, Berta brings a certain German discipline.

“我通常会在课前预习课本和练习题，这样听课效率更高。” 但她很快补充，课堂之外，语言需要活生生的场景。“我用中文歌、电影和播客磨耳朵。听和说仍然是最难的部分，所以我尽量每天都在练习。”

"I always prepare by reviewing the textbook and exercises before class. It helps me follow the lesson much better." But she quickly adds that outside the classroom, language needs living scenes. "I listen to Chinese music, watch films, and sometimes podcasts. Listening and speaking are still the hardest parts for me, so I try to practice them daily."

然后，她说了一个很可爱的建议：“我的一些朋友会和公园里的本地人打羽毛球来练中文，我自己也会和中国朋友打网球。”

Then, she shares a charming suggestion: "Some friends practiced Chinese by playing badminton with locals in the park. I play tennis with Chinese friends myself."

对她来说，语言不是躲在房间里背出来的，而是一场带着些许紧张和欢笑的“社交实验”。她最大的心得是：每天练一点，别怕开口。

For her, language isn't learned by hiding in a room with a book. It's a social experiment, full of slight nerves and laughter. Her biggest advice: Practice a little every day, and never be afraid to speak.

关于老师

About the Teacher

在 Mandarin Inn 的众多经历中，Berta 特别提到一位老师：郑老师。

Among her many experiences at Mandarin Inn, Berta specifically recalls one teacher: Teacher Zheng.

“她非常有条理，作为一个德国学生，我真的很欣赏这一点。” Berta 笑着说。“她讲语法很清楚，PPT也准备得很用心，总是能把课本里的内容和实际例子结合起来。我就是在她的课上，对中文语法有了真正的突破。”

"She was very structured—as a German learner, I truly appreciated that," Berta says with a smile. "She explained grammar clearly, used well-prepared PowerPoints, and always combined the textbook with practical examples. I made the most progress in her class, especially in understanding grammar."

这种对“结构感”的珍视，透露出一个成熟学习者的自我认知 —— 她不追求花哨的技巧，而是在寻找一种可以持久前行的路径。

This appreciation for a sense of structure reveals a mature learner's self-awareness. She isn't chasing flashy techniques; she's looking for a path she can walk steadily.

学习环境与挑战

Learning in China

学习当然不全然是愉快的。

Learning, of course, isn't always smooth.

“有时你已经知道自己想说什么，但因为发音的问题，对方听不懂。这真的很让人沮丧。” 但她停顿了一下，用一种平和的语气说，“不过，这是学习任何语言都会遇到的事。我只是提醒自己，不要太早放弃，继续练。“

"Sometimes you know exactly what you want to say, but people don't understand your pronunciation. That can be really frustrating." She pauses, then adds with a calm tone, "But it's a normal part of learning any language. I just remind myself not to give up too early and to keep practicing."

她没有粉饰困难，也没有放大挫败。这种平静，本身就是一种力量 —— 像一个长跑者，知道酸痛只是路途的一部分。

She doesn't sugarcoat the difficulty, nor does she magnify the frustration. There is power in that equanimity—like a long-distance runner who knows the ache is simply part of the journey.

关于工作坊

Workshops

我真的很喜欢这些工作坊，尤其是那些专注于真实生活场景的实践课，比如购物或在餐厅点餐。

I really like the workshops, especially the practical ones focused on real-life situations like shopping or ordering in a restaurant.

它们让学习变得非常具体和实用。

They make learning very tangible and useful.

最喜欢的一句话

Favourite Chinese Sentence

她目前最常用的一句中文，完美地概括了她此时的状态：

Her current favorite Chinese sentence perfectly captures this state of mind:

我还在学习，请多关照。

I’m still learning, please be patient with me.

结语

Closing

采访结束时，Berta 的语气依然温和而坚定。

At the end of our conversation, Berta's tone remains gentle yet firm.

她没有把 “掌握中文” 当作一个必须征服的目标，更像是在学习如何聆听 —— 聆听一个家族的乡音，聆听另一种思维的回响，也聆听自己在这座城市里缓慢生长的节奏。

She doesn't treat mastering Chinese as a target to conquer. It's more like learning to listen—to a family's native tongue, to the echoes of a different mindset, and to her own rhythm of slowly taking root in this city.

学习一门语言最动人的部分，或许就在这里：它让我们主动选择谦逊，选择耐心，选择走向他人。在这个过程中，我们重新成为一个 “学习者”，也重新发现世界的宽广。

Perhaps this is the most moving part of learning a language: it invites us to actively choose humility, patience, and a willingness to walk towards others. In this process, we become a learner again, and rediscover the vastness of the world.

在上海的老房子里，有人正在这样学着。不急，不躁，把每一次听懂的话、每一次被理解的表达，都看作微小的胜利。

Inside an old house in Shanghai, someone is learning in exactly this way. Unhurried, unflustered, treating every understood phrase and every comprehended expression as a small, quiet victory.

如果你也正在学习中文，或者正在考虑开始，你不需要完美的起点。你只需要开始。

If you are learning Chinese — or thinking about it — you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to begin.

Join Mandarin Inn Chinese Courses and Cultural Workshops. From structured learning to real-life practice, we help you make Mandarin part of your everyday life.

Free trial is also available, please click the link below to register!

Mandarin Inn, More Than Just a Language School

Located in the scenic heart of Shanghai's former French Concession, Mandarin Inn is housed in a historic villa, offering not only an ideal place for studying Mandarin but also a chance to experience Shanghai's rich history and culture. As the home of the APM Public Library and recognized by Ecovadis for corporate social responsibility, Mandarin Inn carries a dual mission of education and cultural heritage.