How to make more progress in Chinese?
The Chinese language is a group of language varieties that form the Sinitic branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages, spoken by the ethnic Han Chinese majority and many minority ethnic groups in Greater China. About 1.3 billion people (or approximately 16% of the world’s population) speak a variety of Chinese as their first language.
The first written records appeared over 3,000 years ago during the Shang dynasty. As the language evolved over this period, the various local varieties became mutually unintelligible. In reaction, central governments have repeatedly sought to promulgate a unified standard.
In this blog we will look at tips which make more progress in Chinese
Tips To Make More Progress In Chinese
Tip 1: Set yourself tangible targets
Learning Chinese is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. During the long slog, it can be hard to track your progress if you’re not setting tangible targets. After studying for a year or two, someone may ask you if you can speak Chinese and you’ll probably find yourself struggling to give a short answer. How do you define the level you’re at and the level you want to reach? Increasingly, the HSK test is being used as the ultimate marker of Chinese proficiency. Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, or HSK for short, is the international standardised exam to judge Chinese language skills, via the testing of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Tip 2: Financially invest in your studies
Although some people prefer to study alone (and there are plenty of great learning apps, podcasts, and books out there), sometimes nothing beats group or one-on-one lessons that will give you that structure and motivation to learn. In addition, if you book a block of 20 lessons in advance, you’re much more likely to drag yourself out of bed earlier in the morning to go to a lesson you’ve already paid for than you are to open your book and study at home.
Tip 3: Put yourselves in situations where you can practice.
A common excuse heard among foreigners when it comes to learning Chinese is that they don’t have the time to do it. More than just having the free time, it’s also about being in a frame of mind where you can stop what you’re doing for a moment, have a normal conversation and take the time to ask questions and expand your vocabulary in a no-pressure environment. So, no more excuses. Make that time in your day. One of the best ways to do so is to go for a massage. They last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, the masseuse almost never speaks English and, if he/she is any good, you should be totally relaxed.
Tip 4: Take yourself out of your comfort zone and routine
A routine can be great for learning Chinese. It gives us the structure we need to plan our learning, practice and revise. Yet there are times when a routine becomes counterproductive.
Doing the same thing every day can lead you to have the same conversations with the same people, using the same vocabulary. One of the best ways to freshen up your vocabulary is to travel in China. It puts you in new situations with new people and forces you to learn new words.
Tip 5: Stop speaking your native language
Sometimes, it can be all too easy to only speak English in China. Maybe all your colleagues in the office can speak English. Perhaps all your best friends are English speakers. Even if you have a Chinese partner, more often than not their English is better than your Chinese.
Usually, we form a habit of speaking to certain people predominantly in one language. And once that habit is formed, it’s difficult to change the dynamic without a very conscious effort.
Finally,
These tips will help you a lot in making more progress in Chinese. You only have to follow these consistently.
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