Articles in the ‘Speaking’ category Page 3

1. Student Q&A, September 2023: Listening more than once, assessing pronunciation and the merits of flashcards

   

   Is it good to listen to the same passage more than once? How do you assess progress with pronunciation? And are flashcards really all that good for learning Chinese?

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2. Should you throw away your Chinese textbook?

   

   Many students rely on textbooks to learn Chinese, but is this a good idea? Some people say that to unleash your full potential, you should throw your textbook away.

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3. Insights from the new HSK 7-9: Interview with Sara Jaaksola

   

   Are you curious about the new HSK? Do you want to know what it’s really like to take and pass the advanced level? And how should you prepare to ace your own exams?

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4. Why travelling isn’t the best method to learn Chinese

   

   Travelling is often touted as one of the best ways to learn a language, but is it really? What are some downsides of travelling to learn Chinese, and how should you travel to get the most out of it?

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5. Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability

   

   Have you listened to a recording of yourself speaking Chinese, only to find that your voice sounds unfamiliar and strange, like another person? Then you’re not alone!

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6. How learning some basic theory can improve your Mandarin pronunciation

   

   Listening, mimicking and getting feedback is the best way to learn Chinese pronunciation, but unless you’re a small child or extremely talented, adding some theory to the mix can also be helpful.

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7. Don’t try to improve everything at once when learning Chinese

   

   To communicate in Chinese, many skills need to work in unison, but trying to improve all of them at once is a recipe for frustration. Instead, limit your focus to make progress and stay motivated!

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8. Learn Chinese by playing Mahjong (麻将, májiàng)

   

   Playing games is a wonderful way of learning Chinese, and 麻將 (májiàng) works for all beginners and advanced students alike! Apart from the numbers 1-9, you only need a handful of extra words to play. The game is extremely popular and as such, it can open up many doors, both cultural and social.

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9. Standard pronunciation in Chinese and why you want it

   

   What should you learn if your friends and your teacher tell you different things? How should you navigate the space between standard pronunciation and regional accents? Standard pronunciation will help you communicate, but a regional accent might help you fit in.

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10. Learning the neutral tone in Mandarin

    

    The neutral tone in Mandarin Chinese can be tricky to learn. How is it pronounced? Is it a fifth tone? And how do you know when it should be used?

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