10 tips on how to Learn Chinese

10 tips on how to Learn Chinese

Most of the people agree that to be a fluent Chinese language speaker, you must join a Chinese language course at the university or Chinese speaking environment in China. However, not many of us can immerse ourselves in Chinese speaking environment due to many reasons such as lack of money to take admission in a Chinese language course, lack of time, or lack of desire to spend a significant amount of time in China. But we are fortunate that there is a number of great ways to learn Chinese and immerse yourself in Chinese. Learning Chinese has become a trendy past time as its increase in the business and travel world continues. In the few steps guide below, I outline ways and resources that will help you fulfill your goal of learning the Chinese language.

1. Sign up for online Chinese language course

If relocating is not possible for you then sign up for an online formal Chinese language course will help you to cut yourself off from your native language community and will help you to learn Chinese. It will allow you to communicate in Chinese with your teacher and classmates. You will be able by signing up, to find a community of learners that are likely committed as you to Chinese language learning. Visit www.cchatty.com, a great website where you can browse to find online Chinese courses that fit your availability. Start by learning the very basics of Chinese.

2. Practice with a native Chinese speaker

 To learn Chinese the excellent way is to find yourself a native speaker of Chinese. This helps you maximize your opportunity for speaking Mandarin. It helps with your accent, and expose you to more informal or colloquial forms of speech that you would not find in a textbook. It is always ideal to have a native speaker as a language partner, but even someone else that is learning Chinese alongside you is suitable for steady practice. Remember the goal here is to maximize opportunities for you to speak Chinese. If you know a native speaking friend, ask them if they would be willing to sit down with you for an hour or two each week. They might be happy to help you as long as the coffee's on you. In case you do not know any Chinese native speakers, you could browse the internet to find one on an online forum by placing an advertisement. If this does not work, try to connect with a Native Chinese speaker on Skype, the one who would like to practice their English speaking. Those who pay to get some quality time (face to face) with an English speaker instead of being paid, you could just ask them to help you practice Chinese in exchange.

3. You can learn Chinese with audiotapes and CDs

Listening to Chinese audiotapes or CDs play a significant role in learning Chinese. You can listen to them even you are on the go. It does not matter if you cannot follow everything that is being. Just be an active listener, pick out the phrases and the keywords. Slowly but surely it will help you to improve your listening skills and your overall comprehension of the language. This option is suitable for music lovers and for those who can stick to listen to Chinese CD in the car or to listen to Chinese Postcast on the train. You can also listen to them while doing housework or exercise.

4. Make your surrounding Chinese

Try to post sticky notes on all the objects around you in Pinyin and in Chinese characters. Write down the idioms, phrases, and words that are important to you on the sticky notes and put them on the wall in front of your study disk or on the windows and walls throughout your room so you will be able to see and read them again and again. Also, switch your computer and mobile language to Chinese. This strategy will help you to learn many new Chinese words and phrases.

5. Watch Chinese films, cartoons

Watching Chinese movies and cartoons is more fun and a relaxed way to learn Chinese. However, it will expose you to the structure and sounds of Chinese. Try to watch Chinese short videos and cartoons clips on YouTube or watch full-length Chinese movies online. In the beginning, you may need to use subtitle but try to not depend on them. Try to see how many words or phrases you can understand without subtitles. If you are feeling particularly proactive, you could pause the film after particular words or phrases and try to repeat them—this will help your accent to sound more authentic. When you are watching Chinese movies, drama, or game shows, then listen carefully, and you will find that there are many frequently phrases and words used. Pick up on those phrases and words and look for their meanings. Then practice the phrases and use them in your daily conversation with your new online friends or when you encounter a Chinese speaker.

6. Use Chinese social media.

A study revealed that the average person checks Facebook 14 times a day. Now, imagine you are using Chinese social media, which will be course beneficial for learning the Chinese language. There are plenty of Chinese social media platforms that you can follow, but the Wechat is the most popular One. Install WeChat and add your Chinese friends and classmates who learn Chinese and communicate with them. It will also make you able to follow the news pages and channels that you like the most. Also, listen to Chinese music and online streaming on Chinese media.

7. Errors and Mistakes are part of the learning

Your fear of making mistakes and errors will be the biggest hurdles will stand in your way of learning Chinese. However, you will need to overcome this fear and reach your goal of fluency. In the process of learning a new language, everyone makes mistakes; you are also likely to make mistakes and face awkward moments but do not be discouraged or get disappointed. Keep in mind that when you are learning Chinese you are aiming to for progress not aiming to be so perfect yet. So as long as you are learning from your mistakes and continue to improve then it does not matter how many mistakes you make.  

8. Consider a visit to the Chinese native land

The better way to learn Chinese is to consider a trip to its native land. China is a diverse country; from the busy, bustling streets of Beijing to the ancient majesty of the Great Wall. There is something for every visitor, whether you are looking for to learn about ethnic Chinese tradition or to travel to the sites of the ancient battles. You could also take a tour of other places with large Chinese speakers like Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Just keep in mind that you are aware of the differences in dialect because not all of the same before you book your flight.

9. Expand your relationships with the Chinese.

It is evident that the more Chinese native friends you have, the more chances you will have to communicate with them in Chinese. Start visiting a local Chinese supermarket, restaurants or hair salon where you can practice and speak basic Chinese. Once you develop some connection with people in a local restaurant or stores, they will be more likely to help you further improve your Chinese language skills. Best to visit them in off-hours when they are not so busy with their work. Practicing Chinese with shop assistants and waiters will only help you to develop fluency in basic conversation. Also, try to attend local Chinese events such as visit Chinese museums, art galleries, festivals or anything else where you can practice Chinese. It will take efforts for you to find and make Chinese friends, but obviously you will benefit from them by having more opportunity to practice Chinese with them and learn more about Chinese society. While building a relationship with Chinese it is important to remember that Chinese take friendship incredibly seriously, therefore it is essential to read about the concept of “guanxi” to better understand how relationships work in China.

10. Do your research

Make an effort to understand how the language works. There are videos and articles made and written by Chinese language teachers, students, and travelers who learned Chinese in China. They share their Chinese language knowledge about different aspects, misconceptions, and usage of the Chinese language. If you understand the language and how it was formed, you will learn Chinese in a faster way.

Final Thoughts

Fortunately that we live in an era where there are endless great ways and resources, making it easier to learn Chinese. It has become a widely available language for all and used frequently by travelers and students. Learning Chinese is no longer a case of 'how to start' but 'when to start.’

Are there any other significant ways you have tried for learning Chinese that I did not mention in this article? Share your experience in the comments section below.