LIU Chang

   1. Hometown in China

I am from Hengshui, Hebei Province, a small city in northern China. It is located on the North China Plain, not far from Beijing and Shijiazhuang. Hengshui has four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and rainy, while winters are cold and dry.

Hengshui is famous for Hengshui Lake, a beautiful wetland where you can see many birds and enjoy peaceful natural scenery. The city also has a rich traditional culture, including inside-painted snuff bottles and Wuqiang New Year pictures.

2. Favourite Food

Hei Sanduo (黑三剁) is one of my favourite dishes. It is a Yunnan speciality made with pickled vegetables, tomatoes and minced meat, usually cooked with chilli and other seasonings.

It may sound a little unusual at first, but the combination of salty, sour, spicy and savoury flavours makes it very appetising. I especially enjoy eating it with a bowl of hot rice. One bowl is definitely not enough!

3. What are your hobbies?

I enjoy hiking and playing badminton in my free time.

I especially love hiking because it gives me a chance to escape from my busy daily life and enjoy beautiful scenery. Sometimes the journey can be tiring, but when I reach the top and take in the view, I always feel that the effort was worthwhile. Hiking also gives me the opportunity to discover new places and enjoy nature.

4. What is your favourite thing about teaching Chinese?

I think Chinese characters are fascinating because they are not just symbols. They have stories, meanings and sometimes even a little history behind them. I enjoy showing students how a character is written and helping them understand why it looks the way it does.

For me, learning Chinese characters is a little like putting together a puzzle. Once you understand how the pieces fit together, Chinese becomes much more interesting!

5. What is your top tip for beginner learners of Chinese?

My top tip is simple: be brave and speak!

Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You don't need perfect grammar or pronunciation before you start speaking Chinese. The more you speak, the more confident you will become.

6. What is your favourite Chinese saying or chengyu, and why?

不虚此行 (bù xū cǐ xíng) means "the trip was worthwhile" or "the journey was worth it."

I like this saying because it reminds me that every journey can be meaningful. Even when a trip is tiring or doesn't go exactly as planned, if you experience something new or learn something along the way, the journey has not been in vain.

7. What Chinese TV show would you recommend to students?

I recommend The Family of Wenzhou (温州一家人), a Chinese television drama about a family from Wenzhou and their journey through work, business and life.

I recommend it because students can learn more than just Chinese from the show. They can also gain insights into Chinese family life, relationships, food, work and social change.

It is also a great way to learn how Chinese people communicate in everyday situations. If you want to improve your Chinese while gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, give it a try!