9 ways to make yourself fluent in Chinese
Simply speaking a language shows the knowledge of a particular language but speaking a language fluently shows perfection. You can learn to speak Chinese fluently by following below tips:
First things, First!
Avoid Focusing too much on Grammar
While learning basic grammar rules may be helpful we recommend focusing on grammar only if your only goal is to pass a test, because in actuality, only a small amount of Chinese speakers know every grammar rule. Many foreign learners who enjoy a greater grasp on grammar than that of native Chinese speakers, speak much differently than a native speaker. Focusing on speaking like a native will allow you to progress more quickly, and you will be able to form sentences naturally, rather than thinking about the rules when attempting to form a sentence.
Second
Writing solidifies characters and words probably because it forces you to slow down and makes sure you identify and internalize them. This is akin to learning from textbooks on your own and solving problems rather than binge-watching lecture videos, which are useful for getting the big picture and scoping out where all the information is, but not for learning the core. “Since I love to read, my strategy was to binge-read and then load unknown words into Skritter and then practice mostly reading on Skritter. After I’ve seen words enough times, I’d begin mixing writing in those same words on Skritter, the rationale being that if I’ve read a character/word 1000 times already, I have a general picture in my head for what the character is, and so it’ll be easier to remember how to write it.” says Francis Loh. This is a different philosophy from most people (and most Chinese teachers) who will emphasize methodical X words learned a day. That has its place sometimes but can get monotonous.
Third
Since you care about doing this right, your first stop should be Hacking Chinese! This should be your first stop for when you are frustrated with some area (Writing, Reading, Speaking, Listening), as it contains very well-thought-out discussion and recommendations to try. Practice Speaking Chinese Aloud – The most important aspects of any language, including Chinese, to learn are listening, speaking, and reading. Many people only practise listening and reading and are therefore at a disadvantage when attempting to speak Chinese. If you wish to become fluent in Chinese, it is vital that you practice speaking. Don’t just listen when you study; repeat the learning material aloud and try to mimic what you hear. Get in the habit of doing this, and you will increase your understanding of Chinese, as well as speak with a better accent.
Fourth
Start Thinking in Chinese
Instead of translating words from your native language to Chinese before forming a sentence, simply train yourself to actually think in Chinese. After all, the order of the words in the sentences will likely be completely different in some instances, which would only slow you down. Furthermore, if you think in Chinese, you will have an easier time at using correct grammar and saying what you really mean.
Fifth
Immerse Yourself
Language-learning is not dependent upon your level of intelligence. It is a proven fact that anyone can learn to speak any language. As a child, you learned your native language by being immersed in it. Everything you wanted to communicate had to be in that language. Use this immersion technique to learn Chinese more quickly by always speaking Chinese, even when a native Chinese speaker is fluent in your native language. You can also constantly listen to Chinese on your iPod and watch movies exclusively in Chinese.
Sixth
Expand Your Vocabulary
Even if you are not as good at speaking Chinese as you would like to be, you will be able to learn much more if you integrate new words into your speech every day. Focusing solely on vocabulary words you are comfortable with will prevent you from ever progressing in your language-learning attempts. Start using new Chinese words and phrases until you become comfortable with them, and then add even more. Dictionaries: Use pleco for the dictionary app. Buy the bells and whistles like handwriting recognition. Use MDBG for an online website dictionary. Use LINE for example sentences to verify that you understand the grammar.
Seventh
Stay Positive To Speak Chinese Fluently
Positivity is important so that you are always motivated. Rather than expecting perfection from yourself and being continually disappointed, start to view your errors as progress in your learning. Making mistakes means you’re pushing yourself enough to learn and grow, and if you aren’t making any mistakes, there’s a good chance you’re stagnating. Don’t judge yourself too harshly.
Eigth
If you are learning Chinese to the level of fluency or even intermediate, the best investment you can make is in good pronunciation. Do not underestimate how much time should be spent on this. It will pay off in
a) not sounding like a clown
b) impressing people you meet
c) actually being understood by people you meet
d) help your listening. My strategy for this was to read aloud and pay a student ($10/hour) to sit with me and correct my speech. You can find a cheap tutor on www.italki.com. This should be done regularly on top of your learning curriculum, as it is not particularly taxing on your mind.
Ninth
Speaking of curricula, the few videos I’ve seen from Yoyo Chinese have seemed pretty good, especially if you don’t know where to start. You could also ask your italki tutor for suggestions. You can get free movies at v.baidu.com. I like the 小爸爸 TV series for entertainment. Higher quality teaching videos are available from FluentU. Also: look up “Happy Chinese” on YouTube for an easy series.
Finally, as I wish you all the best in your learning..
Here are two bonus tips to add to the aforementioned list of points:
- In whichever field (W, R, S, Listening), you want a quick feedback mechanism. A bad mechanism would be to buy a Chinese newspaper from a newsstand, find an article that is interesting, and then look up words manually. A good mechanism would be to use something like http://thechairmansbao.com/ or Du Chinese. I used to use cn.nytimes.com side-by-side Chinese-English view, with Zhongwen: Popup Dictionary, then loads unknown words into Skritter.
- You also want a Spaced Repetition app: popular ones include Skritter and Anki. I prefer the Skritter. This is for overloading your brain with vocabulary and getting addicted to learning. Learning a new language is tough, and you’re bound to make mistakes from time to time, or even on a daily basis. Another important thing to keep in mind is that in time, you will become fluent in Chinese, and your efforts will pay off. Mistakes are good indicators that you need to study a particular area more or increase your understanding of a particular principle; in this way, mistakes can help you to focus on what you really need to learn and become fluent in Chinese