LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTRE - GERMAN | ENGLISH | FRENCH | CHINESE | SPANISH | SWAHILI | KENYA SIGN LANG
Title: LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTRE - GERMAN | ENGLISH | FRENCH | CHINESE | SPANISH | SWAHILI | KENYA SIGN LANG
Tips on how to learn the Chinese language easily and fast
In a world where the Chinese language is growing more popular due to its booming economy, many individuals are looking for ways to learn the Chinese language easily and fast, either for business or to communicate with their coworkers, but they find it challenging to attain this desire.
Are you one of the many individuals looking to learn the Chinese language easily and quickly, whether for business or to communicate with coworkers? With China's booming economy, the popularity of the Chinese language is on the rise, but learning it can be difficult and frustrating, especially if it is not your first language. However, with the right tips and guidance from experts, you can easily learn the Chinese language. In this article, we'll dive into some useful tips on how to learn Chinese, but before that, let's first discuss how long it takes to become proficient in Mandarin Chinese and what factors can influence that timeline.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Chinese?
Learning the Chinese language can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. One of the most common questions people ask when they start learning Chinese is, "How long will it take for me to become proficient?" The answer to that question is not straightforward as it depends on various factors such as your level of dedication, your learning style, and the intensity of your studies.
If you're a beginner, it can take you up to two years to become proficient in basic communication skills. But, if you're already familiar with other Asian languages, such as Japanese or Korean, you may be able to learn Chinese a bit faster. On average, it takes someone around 2,200 hours of study to reach a proficient level of Chinese. However, this figure can vary depending on the intensity of your studies.
Here are some factors that can influence how long it takes to learn Chinese:
- Your language background: If you're a native English speaker, it may take you longer to learn Chinese because the two languages are vastly different. However, if you're already proficient in another Asian language, you may find it easier to learn Chinese.
- Your level of dedication: How much time and effort you put into learning Chinese can significantly impact how quickly you learn. Consistency is key when it comes to learning any language, and regular practice is essential to making progress.
- Your learning style: Some people learn better through visual aids, while others prefer to listen to audio recordings. Understanding your preferred learning style can help you choose the right resources and methods to help you learn Chinese faster.
Overall, learning Chinese is a challenging yet rewarding experience. If you're dedicated and put in the time and effort, you can become proficient in the language in a matter of years. Remember to keep an open mind, be patient with yourself, and stay motivated throughout the learning process.
Now that you have a better understanding of the time and effort required to become proficient in Mandarin Chinese, let's explore some practical tips to help you learn the language more efficiently. By implementing these tips, you can improve your chances of success and accelerate your progress toward achieving your language learning goals!
#1. Research before you start learning
It would be best to consider what Chinese language you wish to learn. Is it Mandarin (standard Chinese) or other dialects such as Cantonese?
Mandarin Chinese is the official language. It is primarily spoken on the mainland, so it may be a suitable choice if you plan a vacation to China or want to communicate with mainlanders. It is also utilized in business transactions between China and North America; thus, learning it may be more helpful if you conduct business with a Chinese company.
Cantonese is primarily spoken in North America; therefore, it may be great for communicating with Chinese people in Canada or the United States. Numerous articles or YouTube videos present the Chinese language, and several specialists can assist with distinguishing these languages.
Before making a decision, you can read and examine them or schedule a session with a language specialist to learn about the history of the language and the best ways to learn Chinese. Keep in mind that other dialects exist, but Mandarin and Cantonese are the most widely spoken.
Several questions may occur when deciding which language to learn, such as:
Should I learn simplified Chinese or traditional Chinese? What are your learning objectives? How long do you plan to study Chinese? Why are you learning Chinese? Is it to communicate with your coworkers, or do you want to learn Chinese as a second language?
As you research, you can discover the answers to these questions and determine the best method for learning the language.
#2. Learn pronunciation well
Learning how to pronounce the language correctly will aid in developing good speaking skills. Most people will want to skip over the fundamentals of learning Chinese and go straight to the valuable and practical parts.
This, however, can only teach you basic terms and is only helpful if you only want to acquire a few conversational words. But, if you're going to have a more extended conversation with Chinese native speakers, you will need to master the language's pronunciation.
So, how can you learn how to pronounce things correctly? The first step is to study Pinyin rather than the complicated characters.
Pinyin is a word that signifies "spell sounds." It's an alphabetic system designed for Chinese people and those studying the language. It is the most commonly used system of transcribing or writing Chinese sounds. It uses letters from the Latin alphabet, which you're familiar with.
Learning Pinyin has several advantages, including making learning Chinese words much easier and faster. And assisting non-native speakers in distinguishing between Chinese Mandarin and their mother tongue, improving their pronunciation by making corrections rather than using the wrong voices after years of study.
#3. Learn the Chinese characters
Once you have learned the Pinyin and tones and you can pronounce some phrases in Mandarin, you will need to start working on learning the characters.
You might wonder why learning Chinese characters is essential. Even if you do not know any Chinese characters, you can learn some sentences. However, if you choose this method, you will almost lose the ability to comprehend and identify many Chinese words, such as homonyms.
If you do not know these characters, you can't be an expert in Chinese.
If you start with easy characters, you will discover that learning isn't as difficult as you think, especially once you have passed the initial phase.
The Chinese characters are divided into four, and mastering the primary characters will provide a solid foundation for your future studies.
#4. Use it
Most Chinese students struggle with speaking the language aloud. Many of them remain silent because they fear making mistakes. As a result, they won't be able to learn the language very well because they don't speak it often. This is why we encourage people to speak Chinese.
On the other hand, learning Chinese is not just about speaking but also about writing. Speaking and writing in Chinese can help you understand the language and enhance your fluency. Listening to Chinese music and songs on the radio is another excellent technique to learn Chinese fast.
For example, you can listen to Chinese radio stations and sing along with the words and phrases. That way, you will be able to learn better pronunciations and tunes. So, if you are serious about learning the Chinese language, you must use it in your daily life to develop your speaking and writing skills. This will allow you to identify which aspects of the language you need to enhance.
#5. Find a language partner
This is another excellent method for learning the Chinese language. You can reach out to a fellow student or look for a native speaker willing to converse with you in conversational Chinese. When you've found someone to practice with, schedule weekly meetings with them where you only speak Chinese.
#6. Find a great institution
The introduction of computers and cell phones has made learning languages more accessible and better. Before now, it was challenging to find a private Chinese tutor without leaving China, but that is no longer an issue.
With over 400,000 students, including non-native speakers, we offer an easy and quick way to learn Mandarin Chinese. So get in touch with us today to discover more about how to learn Chinese fast.
