Despite popular belief that Chinese is an insurmountable language to learn, it is actually a fascinating and rewarding language to pick up. With over 1 billion native speakers and an astounding written history, learning Chinese opens up a new world of culture, perspective, and opportunity. Here are some tips and techniques to get started on your journey.
1. Set clear goals
As with any new undertaking, it’s important to have clear goals in mind. What do you want to achieve and how quickly do you want to reach your objective? Determine your target proficiency level and what study methods you’ll need to get there. For example, if you’re learning Chinese for business opportunities, focus on learning business-specific vocabulary and grammar.
2. Start with the fundamentals
Before diving headfirst into learning the language, start with the basics like tone, pronunciation, and simple grammar rules. Learning Chinese pronunciation can be tricky, especially because the tonal nature of the language can drastically change the meaning of a word. However, with consistent practice and listening exercises, even beginners can grasp the nuances of Mandarin. Once you have a strong foundation, you can gradually incorporate more complex language learning exercises.
3. Practice consistently
It’s important to practice regularly if you want to see progress, even if it's just a few minutes a day. Consistency trumps intensity in language learning, and incorporating the language into your daily life can help accelerate your progress. For example, listening to Chinese music or watching Chinese dramas with subtitles can increase exposure to the language and help improve listening comprehension skills.
4. Utilize learning resources
There are many resources available online that can help with learning Chinese, from mobile apps to language learning software. Chinese language learning apps like Duolingo and HelloChinese offer bite-sized practice exercises and gamified learning experiences. For those who prefer a more traditional classroom setting, there are countless Chinese language courses available through language schools and online platforms like Coursera and EdX.
5. Immerse yourself in the culture
Immersing yourself in Chinese culture can have a significant impact on language learning. It provides context and motivation for studying the language and helps give a deeper understanding of the language's nuances and intricacies. Some ways to immerse yourself in Chinese culture include listening to Chinese music, reading Chinese literature, watching Chinese TV shows, and practicing Tai Chi or other Chinese martial arts.
6. Find language exchange partners
Finding a language exchange partner can be a fun and effective way to practice Chinese. Language exchange partners are native speakers who are learning your native language, so you can help each other with pronunciation and grammar while practicing conversation skills. Websites like Tandem and iTalki connect language learners from around the world and offer affordable language exchange services.
7. Use visual aids
Visual aids like flashcards and diagrams can be helpful in memorizing Chinese characters and vocabulary. Chinese characters can be overwhelming at first, but breaking them down into smaller parts and practicing writing them on paper can help with recognition and recall. Watching Chinese TV shows or movies with Chinese subtitles can also help with learning character recognition and vocabulary.
8. Join a community or study group
Joining a Chinese language study group or community can provide support and motivation when learning the language. It also gives the opportunity to practice speaking with others and learn from their experiences with the language. Websites like Meetup and Facebook have many language learning groups, and many language schools offer weekly study groups for students.
9. Travel to China
Traveling to China is a great way to immerse oneself in the language and culture. It not only provides an opportunity to practice speaking the language but also to learn the cultural nuances and customs of the Chinese people. Visiting local markets or restaurants and speaking with the locals is an excellent way to practice Chinese in a real-world setting.
Conclusion
Learning Chinese can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It’s important to have clear goals, practice consistently, and use various learning strategies like visual aids, language partners, and community study groups. Immersing oneself in the language and culture through music, TV shows, literature, and travel can deepen the understanding of the language's nuances and provide motivation for continued learning. Whether for business or personal reasons, learning Chinese offers countless opportunities in this ever more globalizing world.