IF YOU ARE NOT SURE HOW TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE, please take a moment to read this post. It includes some practical and useful tips and advice on studying a new language in general, improving vocabulary, mastering grammar, using audio, doing exercises, and expanding your learning experience. All of this will make your learning more effective and fun!! Enjoy!! You can do it!!!
FIND YOUR OWN PACE
It is important to keep in mind that you should always proceed at your own pace. Learning Mandarin is of fun and joy, should not be of a pain. Don’t feel pressured; only digest what you have learnt before proceeding to the next session. Regular repetition is the key to learning Mandarin; so don’t be afraid to cover material again, and again, and again!
TAKE NOTES, USE AUDIO FILES
Use a notebook, make flash cards or start a language journal so you can have something to take with you. Carry this notebook or flash cards with you to review wherever you have time to kill – on the bus/train, waiting at the airport, while dinner is cooking, or whenever you can find the time.
Audio repetition. Fix your eye on the written form of a word, and listen to the audio several times and repeat after them. Practice, practice, and practice!
MAKE A REGULAR COMMITMENT
Make time for your new language. Spending half an hour every day is much better than 4 hours spending only on Sunday!
Make realistic expectation for your new language. Make your spoken language functional which means people can understand perfectly what you are saying. It is a great accomplishment already!
DON’T BE SHY
Learning a new language inevitably involves speaking out loud, and it involves making mistakes before you get better. Don’t be afraid of sounding strange, or awkward, or silly. You already impress people with your attempts. The more you speak, and the more you interact, the better Mandarin you will speak!! So don’t be shy!!! |
