Methods for starting to learn Chinese
Methods to Begin Learning Mandarin
learn Mandarin Chinese
Chinese is regarded as one of the most challenging languages in the world to study but there are various things that you can do at the important beginning stages to set a solid foundation for learning. The ideal thing to do is to spend 3 - 6 weeks in an intensive study period at the start where you are doing nothing but working on Chinese and living in China or Taiwan. Obviously though, this is not practical for everyone to do so down below I have included some generic suggestions that can work in either an intensive or easy-going study setting.
1) Learn the pin-yin system and simple pronunciation
PinYin is basically how the Chinese words and sounds are spoken in the western alphabet. When you are introduced to pin-yin you will also learn about the Four basic tones of Mandarin and how many sounds are made. This is a great place to begin and you will probably also get some simple words.
2) Words for getting around and dialogues
A few classes will then go onto a big list of vocabulary words to remember. I instead advise that you switch over to a Asia travel phrasebook and extract out of there a lot of basic phrases and sentences for getting around. These examples are usually rich with solid vocab and are a solid idea to memorize. Having some of these sentences at your disposal will ensure that you can start using Chinese in your daily life as soon as possible.
3) Focus on important 'sentence-making' words
It’s unfortunate how many classes and books wait to teach essentia words and phrases. Once you have a extensive list of words active vocabulary list you can start using them like building blocks to construct simple sentences. While you will probably still have problems with grammar some of these easy 'transition' words can be extremely good as you try to communicate with others.
4) Learn the stroke order and basic parts of Chinese characters
Since there are quite a few technologies available to learn Mandarin on the ipad or iphone, many people are tempted to skip the process of learning to write Chinese characters by hand. This is a bad idea because the actual process of moving your hand and feedback from the paper and pencil actually helps to keep the characters in your head. It's quite bizarre that such a easy thing as moving your hand can help with memorizing the characters.
5) Learn each and every day for sixty minutes
After doing all of the above, you need to get into a consistent habit of studying Mandarin-Chinese every day. What you want to do is study for at least 30 minutes and that can even be just before sleep. The important part is to commit to doing it every day to ensure that you have daily exposure.
6) Hire a language partner or private instructor
As you continue studying in class or on the internet, it's crucial to start expressing yourself by talking the language in face to face dialogues. There are useful sites to help you get language exchange partners where you can also find tutors. The essential part here is to find a issue that will force you to start speaking, even in simple sentences, just so that everything you memorize can start to form in your mind as real communication.
study Chinese online
If you follow up these methods with a solid program and discover ways to pursue your natural interests, just in Mandarin-Chinese, then you should find several ways to spice up your Mandarin language program. If you like country music, then listen to that in Mandarin-Chinese. If instead you love to read car or business magazines, then look for those in Mandarin-Chinese. You will have zero problems absorbing the language and learning better than your classmates. Good luck.
learn Mandarin Chinese
Chinese is regarded as one of the most challenging languages in the world to study but there are various things that you can do at the important beginning stages to set a solid foundation for learning. The ideal thing to do is to spend 3 - 6 weeks in an intensive study period at the start where you are doing nothing but working on Chinese and living in China or Taiwan. Obviously though, this is not practical for everyone to do so down below I have included some generic suggestions that can work in either an intensive or easy-going study setting.
1) Learn the pin-yin system and simple pronunciation
PinYin is basically how the Chinese words and sounds are spoken in the western alphabet. When you are introduced to pin-yin you will also learn about the Four basic tones of Mandarin and how many sounds are made. This is a great place to begin and you will probably also get some simple words.
2) Words for getting around and dialogues
A few classes will then go onto a big list of vocabulary words to remember. I instead advise that you switch over to a Asia travel phrasebook and extract out of there a lot of basic phrases and sentences for getting around. These examples are usually rich with solid vocab and are a solid idea to memorize. Having some of these sentences at your disposal will ensure that you can start using Chinese in your daily life as soon as possible.
3) Focus on important 'sentence-making' words
It’s unfortunate how many classes and books wait to teach essentia words and phrases. Once you have a extensive list of words active vocabulary list you can start using them like building blocks to construct simple sentences. While you will probably still have problems with grammar some of these easy 'transition' words can be extremely good as you try to communicate with others.
4) Learn the stroke order and basic parts of Chinese characters
Since there are quite a few technologies available to learn Mandarin on the ipad or iphone, many people are tempted to skip the process of learning to write Chinese characters by hand. This is a bad idea because the actual process of moving your hand and feedback from the paper and pencil actually helps to keep the characters in your head. It's quite bizarre that such a easy thing as moving your hand can help with memorizing the characters.
5) Learn each and every day for sixty minutes
After doing all of the above, you need to get into a consistent habit of studying Mandarin-Chinese every day. What you want to do is study for at least 30 minutes and that can even be just before sleep. The important part is to commit to doing it every day to ensure that you have daily exposure.
6) Hire a language partner or private instructor
As you continue studying in class or on the internet, it's crucial to start expressing yourself by talking the language in face to face dialogues. There are useful sites to help you get language exchange partners where you can also find tutors. The essential part here is to find a issue that will force you to start speaking, even in simple sentences, just so that everything you memorize can start to form in your mind as real communication.
study Chinese online
If you follow up these methods with a solid program and discover ways to pursue your natural interests, just in Mandarin-Chinese, then you should find several ways to spice up your Mandarin language program. If you like country music, then listen to that in Mandarin-Chinese. If instead you love to read car or business magazines, then look for those in Mandarin-Chinese. You will have zero problems absorbing the language and learning better than your classmates. Good luck.