Articles in the ‘Learning outside class’ category Page 2
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Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension
Listening is the cornerstone of language learning, yet many students struggle to improve their Mandarin listening comprehension. Fortunately, making progress isn’t as difficult as you might think; just follow four key principles!
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Chinese reading challenge, April 2025
It’s time for a Chinese reading challenge! It starts on April 10th, so enrol, set your goal and read as much as you can before the end of the month. This article contains more information about the challenge, as well as some advice about improving reading ability in Chinese.
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How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours
Many people believe that learning a new script is challenging, but mastering systems like Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Japanese kana is surprisingly easy. With the right approach and resources, you can do it in just a few hours!
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Do you really know how to count in Chinese?
Counting is one of the first things we learn in a foreign language, yet mastering it takes time. While basic numbers may seem simple, using them effectively in communication requires much more than just memorising words.
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Three things I wish I had known as an advanced student of Chinese: The time machine, part 3
Improving after you reach an advanced level of Chinese requires new ways of learning and new sources of motivation. If I could go back in time to give a less proficient version of myself advice, here is what I would say.
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How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese
YouTube and similar platforms offer a vast treasure trove of content that can help you learn Chinese, whether you’re watching videos in Chinese or exploring content about language and culture. But how can you get the most out of this resource at different stages of learning?
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Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2
Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate students of Mandarin.
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YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context
Context matters. How words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context.
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Three things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: The time machine, part 1
I started learning Chinese more than 15 years ago. Here are three things I wish I had known as a beginner!
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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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