EP. 21 - How 8 Years of Self-Directed Learning Led Me to a Career in China

🌍 JOIN TANDEM TODAY: https://tandem.go.link/lcLQHIn this episode of Connected By Language, we sit down with Tess, an Australian content creator and university teacher currently living and working in China. Tess shares her incredible eight-year journey of mastering Mandarin, starting from a high school trip to Guangzhou that changed her life forever.From waking up at 6:30 AM to study before school to navigating the complex world of Chinese radicals and tones, Tess reveals the specific strategies she used to transition from self-directed learning to professional fluency. We also dive into the cultural shifts she experienced, such as moving from the informal communication style of Australia to the formal professional environment of a Chinese university.The guest: https://www.youtube.com/@tess_chineseWhat is Tandem - Language exchange?Tandem is a global language exchange app on a mission to connect the world through languages. Members build confidence and improve their language skills through real life conversations with native speakers in 1:1 chats or live audio rooms. 🔗 Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/Tandem_App0:00 Intro5:20 Discovering Chinese From a Distance28:30 Independent Language Learning and Self-Directed Progress42:43 From Learner to Teacher and Living the Language53:11 Language Learning Mindset and Advice for Independent Learners 🌟 What topics/language should we explore on the next episode of the new tandem podcast? Let us know in the comments!