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    Learning a new language is always a challenge. There are new w{#blank#}1{#/blank#} , new grammar, and new pronunciation. Language is an important part of c{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Becoming familiar with the culture as well as the language can make the learning experience much more i{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    When I was a university student, I s{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Chinese for three years. Before I went to university, I had very little k{#blank#}5{#/blank#} of China. Therefore, when I started learning to speak Chinese, it was important for me to also learn about China's history and culture. China's culture is very different from my o{#blank#}6{#/blank#} and I become interested in it soon.

    It will be much more fun to learn about culture w{#blank#}7{#/blank#} you study a new language. Culture can teach you so many things about a language. It can give you background information a{#blank#}8{#/blank#} the language and tell you the history of the language. I also found out one fact, that is, if you know about the country and the culture, you will communicate with its people more e{#blank#}9{#/blank#}.

    Whenever I try to learn a new language, I enjoy k{#blank#}10{#/blank#} information about the culture as well. It's a challenge to learn more information, but it is very rewarding!

    Confucius is the greatest teacher in Chinese history. He was born on S{#blank#}1{#/blank#} 28^th, 551 B.C.in the Kingdom of Lu, in today's Shandong Province. When he was young, he and his mother had a hard l{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. At the age of fifteen, he began to learn music, and he did well in it. Then he went on l{#blank#}3{#/blank#} other subjects. When he was thirty, he b{#blank#}4{#/blank#} a teacher. He started his own school. He believed everyone should have a chance to get education whether they were r{#blank#}5{#/blank#} or poor. He had about, 3, 000 s{#blank#}6{#/blank#} and many of them became famous.

    Chinese see Confucius as the greatest thinker w{#blank#}7{#/blank#} had many wise ideas about human nature and behavior. And he is also regarded a{#blank#}8{#/blank#} the greatest teacher. His most important ideas are about kindness and g{#blank#}9{#/blank#} manners. He said young people should t{#blank#}10{#/blank#} care of the old. People should not only always think of themselves, but work for o{#blank#}11{#/blank#}. His ideas are around in people's everyday life. Today people can still hear the ideas, and they even go far into east a{#blank#}12{#/blank#} south Asia.