Category: Starting out

9 things to expect from a good Chinese teacher

Are you taking Chinese classes or planning of doing so? In that case, nothing is more important than finding the right teacher. Here are 9 things I look for when it comes to Chinese teachers.

What type of Chinese learner are you?

What type of Chinese learner are you?

Not so long ago, Mandarin Companion surveyed over a thousand Chinese learners worldwide. They discovered six main types of Chinese learners. What kind of Chinese learner are you?

What are the pros and cons of learning Chinese?

Are you considering to learn Chinese? What speaks in favor, what speaks against learning one of the most difficult languages in the world? This is what the Mandarin learning community has to say about it.

“Should you still learn Chinese?”

Should you still learn Chinese? My own answer hasn’t really changed, how about yours?

5 things we tell ourselves that keep us from studying Chinese

A wise man once said that it’s good fun for humans to buy a hammer and knock down the walls of your comfort zone.

11 things I wish I knew before starting to learn Mandarin

Learning Mandarin can be a loooong-term endeavor. Looking back on at least 8 years of learning Mandarin, there are a lot of things I wish I could have worked out earlier.

Learning Chinese characters: 7 bad practices you should avoid

Learning to write Chinese characters: my personal list of disastrous advice and practices that are a complete waste of time and oxygen.

Lingosteve’s wisdom on learning Mandarin

Steve Kaufmann is one of the world’s most experienced language learners and a well-known polyglot. What is his best advise on learning Mandarin?

Learning Mandarin the low-budget way

What can you do if you want to learn Mandarin but don’t want to spend loads of money to attend Chinese courses or visit China for an extensive period? Learn Chinese low budget style. Here’s how!

Chinese dictionary apps: Pleco vs Hanping Lite

You’re learning Chinese and looking for a Chinese dictionary app to install on your phone, but don’t want to spend any money?

All essential (and less essential) questions about the HSK exam in 2021

You’re about to register for a HSK exam or thinking about it? Here’s all the essential information about the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi in one short FAQ article.

Studying Mandarin: politics and motivation

Is China’s restored self-confidence and CCP led nationalism demotivating people to learn Chinese?

Flashcards: Anki vs Pleco

You are serious about learning Chinese and use spaced repetition to support your vocabulary learning? What’s the best flashcard app out there?

The 6 biggest DON’TS mastering Chinese

Even though there is no ideal strategy to master Mandarin and become a Chinese dragon, some ways or better than others. And SOME should be avoided at all cost.

The best pop-up dictionaries for learning Chinese

Hungry sharks never get lost in the vastness of the ocean. This web extension will help you navigate and sharpen your senses when fishing in Chinese waters…

Three character traits you need to improve your Chinese skills

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” Why you need character on your journey.

Chinese dictionary: Why Pleco is irreplaceable

One gloomy afternoon in Beijing, thirty years ago. Chinese language student Lily gets out her dictionary to…

Discover your learning style

If you are new to language learning or want to rethink the process, bear with me for some self-discovery.