Hacking Chinese

A better way of learning Mandarin

Articles published in July 2024

  1. Insights from my recent trip to China: The importance of top-down listening

    Understanding Chinese involves more than just knowing words and phrases; it’s about using context to interpret meaning. My recent trip to China highlighted the crucial role of top-down listening in navigating dialects, speech patterns, and unexpected questions.

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  2. Chinese character variants and font differences for language learners

    Small details sometimes matter when writing Chinese characters, but sometimes they don’t. Figuring out which details to pay attention to is made even harder by character variants and font differences!

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  3. Hacking Chinese meet-up in Beijing, July 18th 2024

    It’s time for a Hacking Chinese meet-up in Beijing! It’s the first time I visit China since before the pandemic, so I’m looking forward to meeting people interested in learning or teaching Chinese based in or around Beijing. The meet-up will be held on July 18th in the evening.

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  4. Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson

    Previewing before Chinese lessons is a simple yet frequently overlooked method to enhance learning. By previewing, you maximise the benefits of each lesson, allowing you to focus on areas where you truly need a teacher’s guidance.

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  5. How I used a notebook to learn more Chinese, and why you should too

    The humble notebook is a powerful tool for learners of Chinese. Whether an exquisite leather-bound journal or a digital text file, a notebook offers more than a space to record information about vocabulary or grammar.

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  6. Student Q&A, July 2024: Reading speed, children’s books and Chinese literature

    How can you read Chinese faster? Which children’s books are best for second-language learners? And what’s the ideal entry point into Chinese literature?

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