Sometimes it isn’t possible to learn those Chinese characters in a calm environment and with a good cup of coffee. All of us have been there. Even though you enjoy learning Chinese, your brain has started to object whenever a textbook is even mentioned! But who says that education must feel like education?
In today’s fast-paced world, having fun while studying may seem frivolous, but studies suggest it’s an efficient method to refresh your brain and help you build new neural pathways. Your comprehension, creativity, memory, attention, and motivation can all be improved by being in a good mood. Not to mention that associative learning is a function of our brains. This implies that you may train your brain to perceive learning Chinese as pleasant automatically if you routinely have fun while doing it! Of course, it already is.
Top 10 Methods for Learning Mandarin
While it’s always a good idea to follow the course syllabus, you can do a few things to help your brain and yourself while studying.
1. Treat yourself Like a Kid
This one is very significant! As a result, it is first on the list. Be willing to make mistakes! The process of learning is complex and not necessarily linear. You will appear silly while coming up with interesting new study strategies. You’re sure to find something that suits you if you pursue your curiosity and act like a kid! College teachers have advised me to watch kid-friendly television to improve comprehension. Did I make a fool of myself while watching a Chinese children’s television program as an adult? Yes. Did it succeed? Yes! Alan Watts, a Western Buddhist, famously remarked that becoming enlightened involves experiencing constant wonder. Who is more awestruck all the time than a child? You can only take advantage of a great learning opportunity if you are bold and try something silly.
2. Find Study Buddies
It is complex to learn Chinese. There is a ton of material to know and practice with its diverse range of characters and intricate grammar patterns. Of course, everyone is unique, and some individuals prefer to study alone, but joining a study group can foster a supportive social environment geared toward academic success. Studying in a group can help you feel more responsible and provide a secure setting to experiment and make errors. One of the finest methods to learn a language is to receive sympathetic personal criticism. Hopefully, you’ll have discovered a group of pals eager to try out entertaining study techniques with you. This is a difficult task in a world where lockdowns happen at any time. Check out HaoChinese‘s Chinese classes if you need clarification about how to go or can’t wait because you’ll have access to a live instructor who will provide you with individualized feedback!
3. Gain knowledge of Chinese culture
Like all languages, Chinese is influenced by the culture in which it is spoken. Its characters physically reflect its history, and its idioms convey its ideology. It’s excellent to memorize textures and tones, but telling the language can sound hollow without taking the effort to comprehend some history. Watch a Chinese TV program or read Chinese philosophy if you’re sick of studying. Depending on where you live, you can locate live classes in Chinese proverbs, music, history, or tea making.
4. Enjoy Chinese music
You may enjoy getting up and moving around. Studying shouldn’t hold you back! Play some Chinese jams and break up the study session. If you need more, you can always get some study partners for an on-the-spot Chinese music dance. Even if you must pass the time while commuting to class or work, listening to music will aid comprehension and acclimate you to the sound of spoken (or sung) Chinese. You probably already know what musical genres you enjoy, so look for their Chinese equivalents! You can always look up the words and sing along to engage your visual senses.
5. Karaoke
About music, let’s discuss karaoke! If you’re not familiar with karaoke, it was first popularized in Japan in the 1970s and has now spread to many other Asian nations, including China. You choose a song you enjoy, and as the lyrics appear on your screen, you sing along with them! Grab some pals, look to see if there are any karaoke bars in the area, or download some karaoke apps to your phone if you’re ready to let your inner rock star loose! You can select a song that corresponds to your proficiency level, making it a fantastic learning tool. Select slow music to listen to while practicing your pronunciation and character reading. This will give you time to reflect. Choose a fast-paced song to challenge you if you’re prepared to push yourself to the maximum. As karaoke isn’t about being fantastic, it’s just about having fun; there isn’t a wrong way to do it.
6. Create a humorous slideshow
You are missing out if you have never hosted a slide show party. Choose whatever subject you like; perhaps you want to establish once and for all that your taste in music is superior to everyone else’s, or maybe you want a chance to flaunt your favorite celebrity infatuation. Be as witty or sensible as you like, but most importantly, have fun! You can improve your syntax, vocabulary, and ability to construct logical arguments by writing your presentations in Chinese. Once you have your slides, schedule a time to meet up with your friends and practice giving presentations while honing your public speaking skills. You can make it more difficult by asking your friends to test your Chinese conversational skills.
7. Journal in Chinese
This choice is for people who enjoy quiet times of reflection. You don’t have to show anyone your journal, which is one of its beautiful features. That implies that there are none! Start by writing a few words or sentences if you are new to Chinese or journaling. As you become more comfortable, you can progress to writing paragraphs or writing until the journal is complete. The apparent benefit of journaling is the daily opportunity to practice your writing, but it also has the main advantage of making it easier to monitor your development. You can look back on your journal after a few months or years and see page by page how much you’ve labored and how much your abilities have advanced. You’ll enjoy yourself by remembering how difficult things once seemed to you at the time.
8. Pick Up Calligraphy.
You’ve probably heard of Chinese calligraphy if you take a formal Chinese language course. A fresh learner who has never seen characters may find written Chinese reasonably foreign. An excellent approach to becoming accustomed to writing the characters and making them feel less awkward is to take calligraphy classes. If you can find a calligraphy class, the instructors can explain each character’s background and the proper order of strokes for each character, and they will be happy to share their knowledge and advice with you as you progress in your studies. Even a study session may be more relaxing by calligraphy as you methodically and slowly take time to comprehend and draw each character.
9. Explore Chinese TV Programs
Everyone enjoys good television, and everyone has experienced the heartbreaking realization that the final episode of their favorite series has just aired. No more worries! View some Chinese TV programs! Similar to listening to music, this is an excellent approach to developing your listening skills while learning about Chinese culture. Great television is available in China, including game programs, dramas, dating shows, comedians, documentaries, and more. There’s a good chance you’ll find something you like.
This Article on the 5 Ways Chinese Shows Will Be Able to Help Mandarin Mastery will precisely explain how watching TV will help with a strong engagement and promote learning at the same time.
10. Include Your Hobbies in Your Studying
You are the expert when it comes to knowing what works for you! If none of the above ideas appeal to you, consider what you truly enjoy doing and how you could fit some Chinese study into it. Romantics can try their hand at creating poetry; musicians could enjoy writing Chinese tunes, and historians might enjoy reading about the past. The best method to learn is the way that works for you, so don’t be scared to experiment!
Making Language Learning Fun
It can be challenging to remember that languages are fundamentally enjoyable since they can be intricate. Fun is undoubtedly one of the finest ways to connect with others when learning Chinese or any other language, and this is the main objective of language learning in general. Your ability to speak more naturally will improve with relaxation and having fun. HaoChinese has a large pool of experienced tutors to help you enjoy learning chinese. Free trial lessons are also available for those who wish to opt for the crash course instead. Join us now!
