Introduction:
Learning Chinese on your own may sometimes be a feat. So if you’re one of those people who still has a few doubts regarding this, then these three features of the Chinese language will definitely help you cement that decision. You’ll be happy to know that however intimidating it may first seem to be, the Chinese language is, in fact, something that can be learned and enjoyed by everyone.
Challenges You’ll Encounter While Learning Chinese:
There will be a few stumbling blocks along the way—that’s a given. When you first encounter any dialogue or text written in Mandarin, you’ll realize that they are just so alien to you. Mandarin is not like other foreign languages that use the Roman alphabet; Mandarin Chinese has its own alphabet. The language has other various elements that are new to English speakers, from intonation to the number of strokes.
Tips on How to Get Started Learning Chinese by Yourself:
Now that we’ve set those fears aside, it’s time to grab your cape and inner strength, as we prepare for your wonderful journey in learning the Chinese language. Here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your learning:
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Familiarize yourself with the sounds.
Familiarization is the key to learning any language. You have to know how to distinguish someone who is speaking in Mandarin from those who are not. Listen to anyone or anything that uses Mandarin, be it an audio book, a video or a mere commentary. It’ll help you learn the basics of the Chinese language: the sounds and the intonation.
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Look for the practical side of the language.
Think about it. What’s your main motivation for learning Chinese? Is it for business, for travel or just for the heck if it? Whatever your reasons are, use it as motivation for you to continue learning. There will always be a time when you feel discouraged or out of sorts. When that time comes, think of your reason for learning the language.
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Listen to the words and conversations over and over.
Repetition is the best way to remember whatever you’ve learned. You’ll be confused by everything you read or listen to at first, but over time, it’ll slowly start to make sense. Repetition helps you understand.
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Combine your various interests with your learning.
This will make it more fun! Don’t keep your learning so serious to the point that it becomes a burden to you. Learning should be enjoyable, so try to match it with your interests. If you’re into music, for example, use music to learn Chinese.
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Practice every day. Never stop practicing.
No matter how busy life gets, set aside time to practice the things you’ve learned. It’ll help you remember them and encourage you to further your learning.
5 Effective Ways to Learn Chinese by Yourself:
Learning Chinese isn’t difficult at all if you know where to look and what to look for. You’ll be happy to find out that there are, in fact, so many wonderful resources on the web. Here are some of the best resources available today for learning Chinese by yourself.
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Use music videos
Using music is one of the best ways to learn a new language because it’s fun and interesting! But why use music videos instead of just listening to Chinese songs? Well, sometimes what’s going on in the music video can give you context to better understand the song, and other times it’s a great peek into the culture.
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Regularly meet with a conversation partner
When I was taking up Chinese in Beijing, I was fortunate enough to have a language partner. I got to learn more Mandarin from her while she learned English from me: a win-win situation! We get to cover more areas than the ones taught in class, like slang and various expressions. I became familiar with their actual way of talking.
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Watch Chinese shows with subtitles
Once you’ve covered the basics, watching Chinese shows is the next step. Whether it’s dramas or variety shows, you’ll be exposed to new characters and vocabulary. Like with music, pick the genre that you love most. There’s nothing more satisfying than getting to learn something new while enjoying what you’re doing.
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Listen to audiobooks
If you’ve noticed, all the references I’ve listed here so far target both your listening and reading skills. That’s because it works best that way. You won’t get the most out of your learning if you merely target one of them. It’s for this exact reason that audio books will really help you out. Merely reading a book won’t do, you have to listen to the words at the same time.
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Listen to podcasts
Finally, if you know where to look, podcasts can become your new on-the-go best friend. There is a great variety of topics, as well as numerous podcasts focused on teaching the Chinese basics to beginners. You can download these to start. But if you can already manage, I suggest you pick podcasts that are geared towards specific interests and Chinese culture. This will expose you to a wider range of vocabulary—words that aren’t normally covered in the former.
use that power to learn Chinese on your own—and enjoy the journey! There’s an amazing new way to learn Chinese! Want to see what everyone’s talking about!
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