2021 Beginners Guide to Learn Chinese

Have you been interested in learning the Chinese language, but have no idea how to start learning. In this post, I provide a step-by-step guide for all new learners and those who are interested in learning Mandarin but don’t know where to start. 

What is the best way to Start Learning Chinese?

Step 1: Determine if Learning Chinese is Effective for you

Everyone can’t learn Chinese as it requires devoting a lot of time and effort to become a master at it. 

If you are willing to invest your time into learning Chinese, there are many ways to learn Chinese. First, try taking free online classes. These free classes will allow you to get a first look at what to expect when learning Chinese. 

Step 2: Find some Chinese Learning Resources

To achieve your Chinese learning goal, you have to sign up for a Chinese learning course and find some resources that let you improve your Chinese listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

There are many free resources, tools, and textbooks on the internet that you can try out. 

Step 3: Learn Pinyin

After getting essential learning resources, start learning to pronounce Chinese words properly. You may have listened or read many Chinese words and names like Xi’an or Qin Shihuang but have no idea how to pronounce them. 

The secret to reading Chinese characters and pronouncing Chinese words properly is to start learning Chinese by learning pinyin. 

Pinyin is the most frequently used method for writing Chinese words using roman letters. For example, 我是中国人 in pinyin is wŏ shì zhōngguó rén. All Chinese character specifies one syllable and can be indicated phonetically in Pinyin. 

One thing to remember while learning pinyin is that it doesn’t pronounce as we read it in the English language. For example, ‘shi’ is not pronounced like ‘she’, instead it sounds like ‘sure’. 

There are a lot of teaching videos on YouTube for learning pinyin. You can also download different apps that teach pinyin. 

Step 4: Start speaking in Chinese

After learning pinyin, start practicing Chinese with a native Chinese speaker. Native Chinese speakers will help you learn the correct pronunciation of Mandarin words and help you switch from simple Chinese to advance levels. So it is great to find a native speaker as your language partner. 

Signing up for a Chinese class is always a good option for learners who want to learn Chinese properly. If you are a student finding the right language course is not difficult, look into what Chinese courses are available in your school or university. You can also join an online Chinese class. 

Step 5: Start Listening to Chinese during your Commute

Listening practice is the best way to improve your Chinese speaking, reading, and writing. Try to listening Chinese as much as you can. It is better to listen to native Chinese speakers. Listening practices will enable you to speak Chinese properly. 

It is not something that gets develop overnight. You have to devote your time to improve your listening. Fortunately, listening practices can be done both actively and passively.

You can use different apps and tools to improve your Chinese listening. There are many recordings and videos available on the internet; you can use them to do listening practices from the comfort of your home. You can also find a group of native Chinese speaker and practice language with them. 

Step 6: Get your Head around Chinese Tones

Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, but it has significantly fewer sounds than English, so Chinese tones needed to deliver different meanings with the same syllabic sound. Some people say that tones are not important. But I assure you that after living in China for few years, you will realize learning tones is essential for speaking native-like Chinese.  

If you don’t speak Chinese in proper tones, people will not understand you. If you use the wrong tone, the meaning of your dialogue can be changed. It is like emphasizing the wrong syllables in English. 

Speaking Chinese with correct tones comes with listening and speaking practices. Listening carefully to native Chinese speakers will help you to learn tones. 

Step 7: Start learning Chinese Characters

Once you have learned basic pinyin, you can start learning Chinese characters. Start learning Chinese characters to understand how they work as a system instead of rote memorization. 

Once you learn Chinese characters, you will be able to read difficult Chinese words and enlarge your vocabulary.

Step 8: Mimic native Chinese Speakers

If you want to speak native-like Chinese, you should mimic the native speakers and their speaking style. 

A good way for improving your Chinese speaking is to play a recorded sentence in your native language and then try to repeat it yourself. It will help you learn proper pronunciation and tones.

Record your speaking practice and then compare it with native speakers. Keep in mind that Chinese is not something you can learn within days. It needs your time and proper practice.

Step 9: Practice Chinese Regularly

Making a study schedule for learning Chinese is a great idea. Fix a time when you are willing to focus on studying Chinese. Try to enjoy the study; it will help you learn faster. The more time you devote on your study, the faster your will learn a language. 

It is great to study 30 minutes a day than study 3 to 4 hours a week. Try to set a daily routine for learning Chinese. 

Final Thoughts

It is very important to be consistent in learning a language. Find the right learning method and stick to it. When you set a regular study routine, you are more likely to learn a language faster. Try to find the right learning resources that can help you increase your knowledge of Chinese. 

There are many free tools and resources for learning Chinese on the internet. You should choose the one that is suitable for your level. Remember that you can’t learn Chinese within days; you have to invest your time and effort to be a master of Chinese.