Chinese
Chinese
This letter was received from Patrick Ludwig, class of 2010. The transcription is below.
The language of nearly 1/4 of the world's population
The Chinese Program at Wooster introduces students to both Chinese language and culture. Its objective is to teach students the basic skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing Chinese.
Besides providing practical training in Chinese for career purposes, the program is also designed to familiarize students with non-Western conceptual schemes and modes of thought.
The courses in Chinese language and literature, together with related courses in the departments of Anthropology, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, will give students a strong background in China and East Asia; and in turn these content courses also contribute to distribution requirements of majors such as Comparative Literature, Film Studies, and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.
Letter from Patrick Ludwig
王老师! [Teacher Wang!]
I am pleased to report that I am an official resident of Taipei! I attained a position working for Hess, a cram school that spans the entire island. So far, I wholeheartedly enjoy the job - working with clever, yet mischievous young Taiwanese minds in the afternoon hours.
Although my work environment is entirely anglophone, I am slowly, but surely, finding ways to get into the local culture. I find Taiwan inspiring and am hoping to find a scholarship to study Mandarin as a full-time student next year.
I must thank you for help in making this former aspiration a reality. I remember in the onset of my freshman year, I wasn't even able to register for Chinese 101. Thankfully, you worked to make that possible. Throughout 4 years, you were supportive of any endeavor I pursued, whether that concerned my major, I.S., study abroad, and so on. The Woo Chinese New Year celebration became a trademark of my college experience. The Chinese suite was my living environment for three semesters. I went to China twice in two years and made the Beijing population the focus of my I.S. I remember seeing 你家有几个人？[how many people there are in your family] and thinking there was no way I'd be able to learn this language. Now, look at all that has happened? You told us in the beginning that we needed to "become that Chinese person," that I was to assume an identity as 吕威 [Lu Wei]. I am still in disbelief that it actually happened. With all sincerity - thank you, Prof. Wang.
Best wishes,
吕威 [Lu Wei] Patrick Ludwig