4 pieces of Chinese learning advice I hate
I started speaking Mandarin as soon as I landed in Taiwan despite my limited vocabulary.
I don't say this to brag.
I say this to share with you the mistakes I made so you can avoid them.
For many months I followed the common advice that got me stuck.
It made me feel like I was learning a lot of vocabulary, sure.
But I could barely form a sentence in Mandarin.
Here are 4 pieces of Chinese learning advice we’ve been told that I wish I didn't follow:
The worst advice for me was "Speaking is for advanced learners only"
This is completely false.
Speaking can and should be integrated from the beginning if your goal is to be a Chinese speaker.
Waiting until you’re advanced delays your progress and makes speaking more daunting.
Starting to speak doesn’t mean you have to speak perfectly. It means making mistakes and learning faster because you make more mistakes.
“I don’t have enough vocabulary to speak”
Most learners don’t have a vocabulary problem. They have a selection problem.
The classic example is HSK 5-6 students who can’t hold a conversation.
In theory, they’ve learned 5000 words but in reality, I’ve met many who can’t hold a conversation.
The key is knowing what vocabulary to learn and focusing on common words and phrases.
It’s better to use a small set of words effectively than to know many words you can’t use properly.
"Just focus on listening"
Listening is very important, but it shouldn't be your only focus.
The reason we gravitate to listening is because it’s comfortable. It’s easy to passively listen and think that’s all we need to do.
But listening alone will not train our mouth muscles when it comes time to have a conversation.
Listening alone will not train us to use the vocabulary we learn in different contexts and situations.
The best way to apply what you learn from listening is through speaking.
"You can only speak after learning for many years” they tell you.
You don't need years of study to start speaking.
People who say this make speaking a big scary event so you never dare to speak.
But speaking is just like listening, reading and writing. We can start right away, make mistakes and learn along the way.
Practice speaking from day one, even if it's just basic greetings and simple sentences.
The longer you wait to speak, the longer it will take you to get comfortable speaking.
These insights came after losing motivation, burning out, and giving up many times.
I blame myself because I blindly followed the general advice out there.
I’m not interested in being a theoretical Chinese learner who never uses the language.
I’m much more interested in becoming a Chinese Speaker.
That's the name I gave to people who do the opposite of the pack:
Speak often (because that’s how you get better)
Learn practical vocab (so you can understand native conversations)
Learn from native speech (instead of textbooks and vocab lists)
Don’t drill vocab for hours (because you will forget it without application)
Use material that you enjoy (because learning should be fun)
Learn to apply (because we want to be Chinese Speakers not just Chinese learners).
Chinese Speakers is down to its last 4 spots.
We open on Monday and close when we’re full.
If you want an early invite - the time is now.
加油，
Danyo