Learning Mandarin: 4 Dos and Don'ts

Updated:28/07/11 13:47:59 PM CST

The access to speaking fluent Chinese can be a stony one, as any learner who has ever tried to master will tell you. Everyone has their own tactics, methods and techniques, but there are some fixed dos and don’ts to have a try, no matter what level you’re at. Indeed, outside the classroom is where your language skills will truly be tested.

1. DON’T Forget to Use Dictionaries
All the time, dictionaries for learning Mandarin are needful, and there are excellent explanations and examples in them. We recommend dictionary as a flashcard tool, Chinese for its diversity and usability, and some online programs for simple exercises. Dictionary is also an invaluable tool, and should be at every Mandarin learner’s hands. Ask your friends and colleagues what they use, and ask them to pass on any exercises book they have.

2. DO learn tones
For native speakers of non-tonal languages, facing the prospect of learning tones as well as everything else can be daunting. However, you should get into the habit of learning each new word as a bundle: sound, tone, character. Don’t make the mistake of thinking tones don’t matter; they do. Having said that, fluency is more important than rigid tone-obsession that might slow you down unnecessarily; if you spend too much time and though pronouncing each character your sentences won’t flow right and people still won’t understand you.

3. DON’T expect to be an overnight specialist
One of the most frustrating things about learning Mandarin is the rate of progress. European and American learners who study other European languages with relative ease often find that Chinese is whole different such a muddle. For English speakers, becoming fluent in German, French or Spanish only takes a year or so, but for a language like Mandarin which has literally no reference points. Only if you cut yourself some slack, and realize that progress will be relatively slow, you’ll hopefully relax enough to accept learning at your own pace.

4. DO practice often
Taxi drivers, colleagues, friends, strangers in bars… It might sound mercenary, but if you want to progress, you should treat social interactions as opportunities to practice. In Beijing and Shanghai, this might not be so easy, as your potential conversation partners will probably want to practice their English on you, but with perseverance, you should be able to spend a good part of your day speaking Mandarin. As for organized language exchanges, not everyone likes them, but they can be a great tool if structured correctly.

Tag: Learning Mandarin