Class Log

We practiced ‘Liu Lao Liu’ for fast clapper talks and ‘Jiu Mi’ for storytelling. There are many roles in ‘Jiu Mi,’ including Jiu Mi, Jiu Mi’s wife, Zhang Jiu, Li Jiu, and narrator. Ms. Li taught us some gestures for Jiu Mi, and her demonstration made the class laughed very hard.

Today’s class was a bit challenging because Ms. Li had added quite a lot of new and exaggerated moves, and I found them difficult to incorporate into my performance. Ms. Li let us practice in groups, and we got to try different roles. I found that I need to change my voice according to the role that I play. For some roles, I need to change my voice to that of a drunk; whereas for a female role, I need to change my voice to that of a girl.

Findings

When performing, I am able to play multiple roles, and then add on moves and change voices to make the performance more entertaining.

Class Log

We learned the script ‘Grasshopper and Cricket’ in storytelling, and there were some funny moves.

Ms. Li reviewed tongue twisters like ‘Rarity,’ ‘Tricycle,’ and ‘Shoulder Pole Wooden Bench.’ She wanted us to focus on our facial expressions and voice. Ms. Li reminded us that if our voice gets too loud or too soft, the audience would have a hard time hearing our performance.

Findings

Ms. Li taught us to stop after finishing a move, and we should not hurry ourselves into doing the next move. We should wait for the narrator to finish his lines when we continue with the moves.

Class Log

We learned to change our voice today, and we practiced in groups. Furthermore, Ms. Li had already set up the groups in the shape of letter U. We also learned about cross talks. Ms. Li explained that presenting a joke in a cross talks performance is called ‘shaking a sack’ in Chinese.

Findings

After today’s cross talks video, I learned that when we perform cross talks, we need to have lively facial expressions, clear articulation, good chemistry with partner, and changes in our voices.

Class Log

We watched ‘Tiger Fighting by Wu Song,’ and we practiced ‘Jiu Mi’ and ‘Grasshopper and Cricket‘ for storytelling. We also practiced group formation, movements, and facial expressions for ‘Liu Lao Liu’ for fast clapper talks.

Ms. Li also taught us how to do the opening for our shows, and we practiced that in groups. Ms. Li rectified our pronunciation along the way.

Findings

We should not be afraid when performing on stage. We can not be talkative off stage but shy on stage.

Class Log

Since there is a language competition coming up soon, Ms. Li asked us to recite our Chinese textbook. She corrected us on how we should move our mouths so we are able to pronounce each word clearly when we speak.

Findings

Ms. Li told us when reciting, we must pronounce each word clearly and with emotion. When we speak, we must speak up with facial expressions so our performance would be livelier.

Class Log

We learned about the proper way to pronounce words in today’s class. Ms. Li asked us to make sure we don’t get mixed up between the zi, ci, shi, and ri sounds.

She also encouraged us to have more confidence and stop wiggling like worms on stage. We also practiced Pun Talk and cross talks duo. Ms. Li even performed Celebrity Dress Up in under two minutes for us. That was really impressive.

Findings

When we recite, we must be loud and clear, tilt our heads up, and exaggerate facial expressions and movements.

Class Log

Since Chinese New Year is just around the corner, Ms. Li wanted us to practice Congratulatory Speech to wish everyone well. After the practice, Ms. Li tested us and showed us performances by the championship and runner-up teams in the 2015 cross talks competition.

Findings

I hope to get more money in red envelope from the family elders by performing Congratulatory Speech during Chinese New Year.