How do you feel about your Chinese? Is it good or bad? If you think youare good at Chinese, you can take part in the competition named the “Chinese Characters Dictation Competition (中国汉字听写大会)”. The competition became popular among teenagers. Let's know something about it.

    More and more computers and smart phones are used by teenagers. They spend too much time onthe Internet in playing or chatting. They are used to sending messages by computers and smart phones. As a result, some teenagers forget how to writethe Chinese Characters by hand. The teachers and parents are very worried about it. What can they do?

    Not long ago, they found an interesting game called the Chinese Characters Dictation Competition. The program was similar to the American show “National Spelling Bee”. In this program, middle school students competed among themselves and wrote down the Chinese Characters by dictation. Over two hundred competitors were from forty-six middle schools. The audiences(观众) loved this new kind of competition, too. They tried to write down the Chinese Characters while the competitors were writing them. Butthey found it was also difficult for them to write down all the Chinese Characters.

    Is it an interesting competition? Can you be the winner?

Dear Wendy

    Thanks for your letter. Now I'll tell you about myself.

    My name is Kitty. I am 12. My birthday is on October 12^th. I am from America. I'm in Class 3, Grade 7. We learn Chinese at our school. Our Chinese teacher's name is Wang Hao.

    Here are some of my friends. Jimmy is tall and he has black hair. He is good at playing basketball. He is in the Basketball Club. May is short and she wears glasses and a yellow dress. She likes English very much and is good at speaking English. Sally is a black girl. She has short hair. She likes swimming. She swims best in the swimming team.

    I like music. I'm a boy with glasses. Write to me soon and tell me about your friend.

Yours

Kitty

Creating a study plan

    Studying is important to students. But it is always difficult to find enough time to study every subject you need. So a good plan helps you to make sure of your success in study.

    Then, how to make a study plan? Well, you can begin with listing all the subjects you need to study and make sure what you need to do for each subject. Next, you should decide how much time you should spend on different subjects. Now, it is a good idea to study at the same time every day. In this way, you actually have a plan you can remember easily. While arranging (安排) time for each subject, you also need to make sure that you still have time for family, friends and rest. This is because you won't be able to succeed in your studies unless you balance your personal life and your study.

    Once the plan is made, the next thing you need to do is to follow it. One of the biggest challenges in following your study plan is that you will be tempted (诱惑) to avoid it and do something relaxing, or fun instead. Luckily, you can fight this temptation by taking breaks. But be sure not to take extra breaks or too long breaks as it can affect your plan. So at the start of your break，set an alarm clock to remind you when your break is over. Also, you need to use your break wisely. For example, go for a short walk, eat a small snack, or listen to some music.

    To avoid forgetting to follow your plan, try to get into the habit of looking at your calendar every day. Sometimes our plans are herd to follow because some important people in our lives distract (使分心) us from our goals. In order to avoid this, tell people in your life about your plan. Put up a copy of your study guide at home so you and your family can see it, and email a copy to your friends so they know when you have spare time.

    Spring Festival is the most important festival in China. On Chinese New Year's Eve, family members get together and have a big meal. In many places people like to set off fireworks. Dumplings are the most traditional food. Children like the festival very much, because they can have delicious food and wear new clothes. They can also get some lucky money from their parents. The money is given to children for good luck. People put New Year scrolls(卷轴) on the wall for good luck. Spring Festival lasts 15 days. People usually visit their relatives and friends. People enjoy Spring Festival very much, because during this time they can have a good rest.