Speaking Chinese in groups is different

Have you ever tried having a conversation with a group of Chinese speakers? It's challenging, isn't it?

For me, it's much harder than speaking one-on-one with a Chinese speaker. There's a lot more going on, the pace is faster, and the topics are more varied.

I often get frustrated with myself for not saying much in these group settings.

But then I realized something: I don’t talk much in English group settings either!

As an introvert, I prefer connecting on deeper topics with a few people, usually one-on-one, like with close friends.

So, when I’m in a group, I feel out of my element. It sometimes feels like a performance.

This is not to say that it's not an important skill to work on. But, especially when you’re just learning the ropes of speaking Mandarin, it’s not as important.

What will improve your speaking more is leaning into your strengths, focusing on speaking about topics that excite you with people you vibe with.

Finding close friends I felt comfortable with, who didn’t mind if I made mistakes, accelerated my progress in speaking Mandarin. When I chat with a close friend, whether in English or Mandarin, I can talk for hours, and it feels fun and effortless.

Because the goal is communication, feeling heard, and enjoying the time together, not focusing on the quality of my language skills.

If you feel the same way, don’t be too hard on yourself. It might not be about your language skills, but rather that you're just not in your element.

That’s why I always recommend focusing your learning on topics that interest you. For me, this is typically not Chinese learning material like HSK/textbooks.

This is typically material made for native Chinese speakers or with natural Chinese speech. Personally, I love listening to Chinese podcasts, videos, interviews, etc.

This is why we dive deep into this topic in the Copy Paste Speak Course: how to find and learn from native material that excites you so it's easier to speak Chinese with confidence.

If that interests you, check it out here:

https://copypastespeaking.danyopang.com/

And to make sure everything is clear, I'll schedule a call with the next 2 people who sign up to install the Copy Paste system. You'll have the chance to ask me anything you want.

加油,

Danyo

PS Vocabulary of the day:

平铺直叙 (píng pū zhí xù)

• 平 (píng): Flat; level.

• 铺 (pū): To spread out; to lay flat.

• 直 (zhí): Straight; direct.

• 叙 (xù): To narrate; to recount.

Translation: To narrate straightforwardly without embellishment; to tell a story in a plain and simple manner.

Example sentence: 这篇报道平铺直叙地讲述了事故的经过和影响。(Zhè piān bào dǎo píng pū zhí xù de jiǎng shù le shì gù de jīng guò hé yǐng xiǎng.). This article narrates the process and impact of the accident in a straightforward manner.