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What we’re about

Language learning is a life long endeavour.
Never give up. Never stop moving.

语言学习，一生之计。永不放弃，永不停步。

The BMCL Meetup Group was founded on May 5, 2003. We are a Mandarin Chinese conversation practice group, for all levels. The group is open and self-led. When we run out of vocabulary, we chat about China in English :) Welcome native speakers who would like to meet conversation partners, or lead activities.

Reading text for 2025
The Three-Body Problem - Ch. 5 - A Game of Pool (excerpt)
三体 - 第五章 - 台球（节录）
by: 刘慈欣

The Three-Body Problem - Ch. 6 - The Shooter and the Farmer (excerpt)
三体 - 第六章 - 射手和农场主（节录）
by 刘慈欣

Stories of the Sahara - Ch. 5 - Night in the Wasteland (excerpt)
撒哈拉的故事 - 第五章 - 荒山之夜（节录）
by: 三毛

Links to all reading text files
Chinese text with pinyin and selected vocabulary and explanations provided in Google Sheets. Best viewed on Chrome or Firefox browsers.

May 2025 - Topics
May 7th - Wednesday Evening event
Interesting favourite symbols
有趣的，喜欢的符号和标记
(suggested by Sumit)

May 14th - Wednesday Evening event
Classical music sharing
古典音乐分享

May 21st - Online Language Learning through Song Sharing
Songs about flowers (flowers are referenced in the title or lyrics)
有关"花朵"的歌曲 (歌名或歌词里提到"花朵")
(hosted by Audrey)

May 28th - Wednesday Evening event
What was the best bargain you ever made?
你曾经做过的最划算的交易是什么？你买过最好的便宜货是什么？
(suggested by Sumit)

June 2025 Topics
June 4th- Wednesday Evening event
Best home decor items you ever had.
你拥有过的最好的家居装饰品。
(suggested by Natalie)

June 11th - Wednesday Evening event
Our favourite books.
我们最喜欢的书籍。
(suggested by Molly)

Attending our meetups
We organize meetups to help people practice Mandarin Chinese and English language. A crucial part of the language learning process is interacting with other people. Books and computers and apps cannot take the place of real, live human interaction.
Please come prepared to practice and receive feedback on your target language: either Mandarin or English. Native speakers of each will be in attendance to help us learn. Each attendee is invited to bring an icebreaker question to help spark conversation.

Member Profiles
Returning members please log in to your member profile on a computer by going to our Group page. Look for the "You're a member" drop down menu next to the main toolbar with "About, Events, Members..." Please update your information and tell us where you are currently based, which time periods on which days of the week you are likely to be able to attend events, and what kind of meetups you would like us to organize.

Members
Many of our members live in Massachusetts. Some live in other parts of the US. Some are in the Boston area for brief periods. In the age of Online Meetups, you do not need to physically be in Boston to take part in our events. Once you have joined our meetup group and taken part in our events, you're always welcome to pop in and catch up with your friends, be it online, or at in-person meetups. Please remember to visit the group meetup page occasionally and update your profile details. Members will not be deleted just because they are not residing in MA.

Joining the meetup group
To be a member of this group you need to have a profile photo recognizable as you. This helps people recognize each other at meetups. This is required for all new members joining after May 2022. Please have a look at recent event descriptions. Join if you feel that these are the types of events you would like to take part in.

Zoom meetings
Please note that in our Zoom meetings, participants are encouraged to use the Zoom chat window to write down words and expressions to help each other learn. No participant has the right to restrict how and when another participant uses the chat window. The host has overall responsibility for how the meetup is conducted. Where there is anti-social behaviour, such should be reported to the host.

Event Cancellation
Some groups cancel events at the last minute because there are too few signups. We will not do this. If an event is announced, it will be held. Unless there is inclement weather, a natural disaster or a serious transport strike, there will not be a cancellation.
If an event can only be held if a certain number of members sign up, this will be stated on the event page when the event is announced.

No-Flake, Zero No-show group
Group events often involve reservations at restaurants and hiring of venues. Organizers have to put in a lot of effort to set up the event. Members might change work schedules and travel far to meet other members. It is inconsiderate to the group and its members to sign up for in-person events and then send in a last-minute cancellation or do a no-show.

No-shows and flake outs undermine the relationship between organizers and members, and destroy the community spirit of meetups. The attendance record has a large role to play in deciding how we host future events, and in the extreme case, if we can even have events.

We should try to make our group a no-flake, zero no-show group. Let's make a commitment to respect each other, and support group events by showing up when we RSVP.

No-shows:
If you sign up for an event, please show up. If you have a schedule change and can't make it, please change your RSVP to "Not going". All no-shows in all online meetups from since April 20th, 2022 have been marked as such, so the attendee lists all reflect actual attendance. For in-person meetups, no-shows will be recorded when and where it is practical to do so.

Links:

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page contributors: Reece, Ken, Rich, Audrey, Ingrid... and Luigi.

Banner photo:
4th Mondays @ 6:30p: Mandarin Meetup- chat & then dinner - Hosted By Chih-wei - Monday, September 22, 2014
- from BMCL photo album

Upcoming events (4+)

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