“About me: At the time of writing this piece, I have completed nearly six semesters of formal Chinese language study. The first five semesters were completed at my university in America, and this most recent semester, wrapping up within the…
As with all languages, Chinese has an informal set of slang words which can be quite useful to know and can help one communicate better. Chinese slang usually can’t be learned from formal courses, but you’ll hear it all around…
Which mobile app do Chinese learners find to be the most helpful? There are a ton of amazing Chinese learning Android and iOS apps out there. However, their usefulness is usually limited to the goals and habits of those who…
Introduction Learning languages generally involves four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Most apps I have used focus strongly on speaking and listening while dedicating little time to reading and writing. However, especially for Mandarin Chinese, reading and writing can…
To enter China, you will need a Visa. It’s a legal requirement to enter any foreign country. So, let’s take a look at how to get different types of Chinese Visas. Just like with other countries, there are many details…
Because of limitations due to time, location, or a lack of teachers, more and more students are turning to online lessons. Mandarin Chinese learners are no exceptions. Today, there are numerous excellent online Chinese courses. These range from the beginner…
Almost everyone starts their Chinese language learning journey with the phrase “你好” (nǐhǎo), which means “hello”. It’s a useful place to start, and a great way to introduce learners to the word “好” (hǎo), which can actually be used in…
“Reader be warned: at the time of writing, I’ve only completed six months of formal Chinese language instruction. I’m still a beginner, perhaps verging on intermediate, so my thoughts on language learning are by no means definitive, sound, or sane.…