Why did the writer need two years of constant Mandarin practice?

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The Writer Required Two Years of Consistent Mandarin Practice to Achieve Basic Literacy

The writer required at least two years of consistent practice, involving singing along to and transcribing Mandarin song lyrics, before they could compose a simple Chinese letter to their mother. This intensive effort was undertaken because the writer, having been enrolled in an English-medium school and primarily speaking Chinese dialects, initially struggled with Mandarin proficiency. The accomplishment of being able to read and write simple Chinese was a source of significant personal pride, especially considering the writer's inability to write their own Chinese name at the age of 16.
Initial Communication Challenges

Upon being enrolled in an English-medium school in 1963, the writer encountered a significant communication barrier with their class teacher, who was Indian. As the writer was only conversant in a few Chinese dialects, mutual understanding was initially limited. However, this barrier was overcome relatively quickly.
Influence of Mandarin Media

The writer's later immersion in Mandarin was significantly influenced by friendships with Chinese-educated peers, leading to a strong interest in Mandarin movies and songs during their teenage years. This exposure provided the motivation and context for the sustained practice required to develop literacy.
Personal Pride in Linguistic Achievement

Achieving the ability to read and write simple Chinese represented a profound personal milestone for the writer. This was particularly meaningful given that, at age 16, the writer lacked the fundamental skill of writing their own Chinese name, highlighting the substantial progress made through dedicated effort.

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Why did the writer need two years of constant Mandarin practice?

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