why I don't use Anki

I tried using Anki flashcards early in my Chinese learning journey, but I couldn't stick with it.

I found it too boring.

I find it more fun to re-listen to a Chinese podcast or rewatch the original video. Similar to flashcards, this exposes me to repeated vocabulary, but it’s also in context, which makes a big difference.

Context is crucial.

Rather than reviewing isolated flashcards, context helps me form associations and anchors the words in my memory.

This context can come from a sentence, the story, the speaker's voice, or even visual cues like the color of the speaker's shirt.

I remember hearing the word "解决" (jiějué - to solve) for the first time on a self-help podcast. It came up so many times throughout the podcast that it was scorched into my memory like a catchy jingle.

Eventually, I found myself using "解决" naturally in my conversations because I had heard it so many times.

Repeated listening or watching of native content serves as a natural form of spaced repetition for me. Each time I re-listen, I understand more and pick up new vocabulary or phrases.

And most importantly, it's more enjoyable and convenient. I can also listen passively, which saves time as a busy learner.

Of course, everyone is different. Maybe I get bored easily. I know some people who swear by Anki and other flashcard apps—they find them highly effective.

If that's you, great! Do what works for you. I’m just sharing what has worked for me.

But whether you like Anki or not, one thing is certain: learning from native Chinese content like podcasts, videos, and interviews is the best way I've found to speak like a native.

That’s why I created a simple system to help you have better conversations like native speakers.

It's called the Copy Paste Speak System.

To make sure everything is crystal clear, I'll hop on a call with the next five people who enroll, so you can ask me anything.

If you're interested, click the link below:

https://copypastespeaking.danyopang.com/

加油,

Danyo