Learning a language that is so different from your mother tongue can be a challenging but exciting task. Successful learning depends on many factors, such as the differences between your native and target language, your determination and learning method, your goal, and your language ability. Whatever your goal is for learning Chinese, keep in mind that like any other task, it will take time and effort.
How to learn Chinese
There are some things you should know before embarking on the journey of learning Chinese. First, Mandarin Chinese is spoken by more people than its counterpart, Cantonese. Secondly, some researchers estimate that it will take you from 2000 to 4000 hours to start speaking fluently. It sounds staggering, but the time it takes is only partially based on statistics!
Where to start learning Chinese
Whatever your goal is for learning Chinese, a well-defined strategy will help you learn it successfully and efficiently. Here are some general steps you should take:
- Set your goals. Once your goals are clearly set, the task of learning Chinese will become much easier and more tangible!
- Create your study plan. When creating your plan, take into account your strengths and weaknesses and choose the learning method that works best for you. If you remember better with visualization, make sure you have visual cues to help you. Whatever your approach, make sure it works for you.
- Take action. If you’re having a hard time getting started, signing up for online Chinese classes can be a helpful approach.
How to learn to speak Chinese fluently
Now that you have an idea of where to start, let’s talk about the learning process. Beginners are advised to familiarize themselves with the pinyin system to acquire a basic vocabulary. At this stage, you should also be more focused on listening and speaking, especially because Chinese is a tonal language.
Once you’re familiar with the basics, you can move on to more complex vocabulary that will allow you to express your thoughts and feelings. At intermediate and advanced levels, you should also add writing and reading exercises as part of your language practice.
- Review and revise what you have learned. Take advantage of the many language learning apps that allow you to study wherever you are.
- Try to create an encouraging environment that will help you in passive language acquisition. For example, you can listen to Chinese music and podcasts or watch Chinese shows while you are cleaning or cooking, which are some examples of such learning. Immersing yourself in the language in this way will train your brain to get used to it and feel comfortable.
- Don’t forget to speak. This is the most important component of learning because the main function of language is communication. If you are already in a Chinese-speaking environment, make sure you take advantage of this opportunity.
- The best thing is to get help in learning Chinese. Of course, you can learn some basics on your own. But learning Chinese without the help of tutors is a very difficult task.