Choosing the Right Way to Learn Chinese

If you decided to learn Chinese, then you have made the right decision. But you may wonder where to begin and how to proceed. There are numerous means to learn any language, and you can choose the best approach you are comfortable with. In case you are a full-time employee, then it would be a not wise and practical solution to take an extended break to enroll for a language program abroad. In this article, you can check the available options listed below before finalizing the means of learning Chinese. 

Learning Online

Learning Chinese online is a wonderful and flexible option in case you possess all the needed resources to be able to study. There is numerous website for learning Chinese online which promote schools and books; however, only some of them are solely meant for learning Chinese online. Moreover, when you search online, you will discover a couple of online Chinese dictionaries. There is no doubt that with the increasing popularity of the Chinese language, it will soon be common for Chinese language schools to begin online training. However, this idea still has a long way before getting transformed into reality. When you 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 to sign up, to find a community of learners that are likely committed as you to Chinese language learning. The benefits of learning Chinese online is that you can master the language without having to move out of your home. While the drawback is that without the needed conversation and interaction, which forms an integral part of the organized learning system, it would be no more effective than buying a book and a tape.

Studying Chinese with a Language Partner

This option is ideal for you as you desire to learn Mandarin Chinese and surely get to speak continuously. It will allow you to discuss personal topics without hesitation and strengthen your bond with your partner. If you desire to get the best results, then you require to make sure that your conversation does not get boring. You need to include new phrases and words while speaking. If you stick yourself to limited and simple words and phrases, you will not make any progress. You can discuss movies or any other topics in which you hold interest and then let the conversation go on naturally. Once you are finished with your study session, you can work and revise it with the material you collected. The benefits of having a language partner are that you can talk to him/her frequently and can improve your Chinese language quickly. The drawback is that you can easily get sidetracked and become lazy while speaking.   

Live or Study Abroad

If you want to learn Chinese or master any language, this is the quickest way to learn. In fact, you can move to China and learn from native speakers. There are many Chinese language programs available at almost all universities in China. It will make you able to speak Chinese fluently and efficiently within a couple of years. If you are introvert by nature, it would be quite ideal for you to join language classes; however, extroverts will be able to speak fluently simply by talking with the native people. If you are an English speaker, you could teach English to make some money. Though this is not advisable as you will end up speaking in English for most of your day, and this will not work in your favor if you wish to master Chinese. In fact, Chinese folks favor engaging in conversations with foreigners, and hence you will get various chances to speak in real life. The benefit of moving China is that you get to master the language quickly, and you will get a great learning experience and a pleasant environment for improving your language skills. The drawback is that this option is not affordable for everyone, and you will have to bear the expenses of your travel, tuition, and living, etc.

Enroll at a Local University

Many universities are offering Chinese language courses. Some of them offer professional courses. If you desire to learn Chinese and you have time and can afford it, then you can enroll at any of the community colleges or university which have Chinese language learning program. Such places give you the professional atmosphere that you need to master any language. This route is best for those who are serious about learning because such people work hard, and the classroom helps them in their persistent efforts to master the language. Hence your aim is to speak Chinese fluently, and then you need to look for an excellent Chinese language program in a university or even choose a Chinese language degree program there. A degree in the Chinese language from the university will add an advantage to your CV. The benefit of enrolling in a Chinese language program at a local university is that it gives you the opportunity of enjoying a structured language approach. While the drawback is that you will require to allot of time and money and remain focused on your studies.

Learning through Apps

Pleco is a Chinese-English digital dictionary; without a doubt, it should be the weapon of choice for any Chinese language learning student. Many people use it daily, and they are not even students anymore, which shows learning Chinese is a life-long activity. There something called ‘clip reader’ in the Pleco dictionary, which allows you to paste full articles into the dictionary and highlight Chinese phrases as you go, brilliant. WeChat is an excellent app in and of itself; many people do not use this app to meet new people and practice a language. However, still, there are amazing features of this app, including lots of official accounts that publish regular articles in Chinese and English. Language learners around the world use Hellotalk app around the world. People can teach their native language and, in return, learn a second language from another user. The only downside of the Hellotalk app is that you will receive many messages because there are thousands of native Mandarin speakers that want to practice English. Ideally, you could use this app to make a couple of friends and then use WeChat from there on out.

Self-Study

This approach is appealing to independent learners. You begin by hunting for Chinese language literature, dictionaries, books, and videos, which allows you to get a functional understanding of the language. Then your search for online Chinese chartrooms and Chinese language partners. However, your passion soon fizzles out, and you give up. What you need is that to be motivated till you master the language. You can do so by opting for the HSK. If it is possible, you can even pursue a job in a China where you will have to struggle to interact with your colleagues. You will have a strong reason and goal to master the language and ensure that you move ahead in a structured manner. Some people enjoy learning the language for no specific reason. If you like what you are learning, then you need no further motivation. The benefits of self-study Chinese language is that you can decide the pace at which you master the language. While the drawback is that you do not have any concrete reason, your enthusiasm will fizzle out, and you will get bored before finally quitting.

Listen to Chinese and Watch Chinese channels

Watching Chinese soaps and Listening to Chinese music is a great way to master the Chinese language and test your comprehension abilities. Whatever you want to watch, you can choose. Watching cartoons is a great idea if you enjoy them. You can watch a mini-series or a single show. Once you are hooked onto the storyline, then you are inspired to continue to watch it. This will also improve your listening skills and mark the accents of the speakers. Try to watch Chinese short videos and cartoons clips on YouTube or watch full-length Chinese movies online. At the start, you may need to use subtitles but try not to 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.

Research

Make an effort to understand how the Chinese 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. You will learn Chinese in a faster way. If you understand the language and how it was formed.

Decide on the right approach

If you really want to learn Chinese, then you need to decide on the right path and move ahead. Also, you need to be committed to your aim of mastering Chinese. Only then you will get good results. Learning Mandarin is just like learning any other language, but you need to practice regularly.