How do you go about learning the language being spoken for over a thousand years by people who make up a big fraction of the world's population? Knowing a second language confers an advantage especially when it is Chinese, the most widely spoken in the globe. According to some sources, Chinese is one of the hardest languages to master. However, this preconceived notion should not deter you from studying a very useful tool. There are several approaches in learning Chinese. This is not limited to memorizing random words or phrases and just saying them out loud. Below are some very helpful tips for studying Chinese.
1. Have the proper attitude. Mastery takes some effort and practice. Have an open mind and optimistic outlook when learning Chinese. For native English speakers, it may indeed come as a challenge; but a consistent and diligent student will have no problem speaking the language. Patience is a virtue in this case. Setting aside a few minutes a day for a language lesson, be it on your own or with a tutor, is ideal.
2. Listen. As one of the Chinese proverbs say, "To listen well, is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation." Before you even try conversing in Mandarin, familiarize yourself with how the letters, syllables, and words are being spoken. There are four basic tones in Mandarin Chinese-rising, falling, flat, and falling-rising tones. The meaning of a word may depend on the tone used. With audio tutorials, take an extra effort in understanding Chinese phonemes.
3. Look. It may be overwhelming at first glance but when learning how to speak Chinese, you might as well be familiar with Pinyin. As the official system, Pinyin is used to translate Chinese characters to Roman alphabet. If this intimidates you, start with reading a Chinese text with equivalent transcription in Roman alphabet. Accompany the reading with audio tutorial to learn how to pronounce a given word.
4. Explore. There may be language schools present in your neighborhood. Chinese lessons are being offered in many parts of the world. Enroll yourself in short courses and see if you can readily pick up on the lessons. Why not schedule a trip to a local Chinatown? You may practice what you've learned and gauge your progress in speaking Chinese. Think of ways to make your Chinese lessons more interesting. Try reading a Chinese menu out loud and ask the waiter if you have said it correctly.
5. Go for more. To enrich your vocabulary, strive to memorize at least 10 new words a day. If you are up for grammar lessons, sign-up for advanced classes. You may have a Chinese instructor assess your language level so you'll know what class fits you. There are also several Chinese learning software available for download in online tutorial sites. And if you are looking for a greater challenge, take your next vacation in China.
By the way, do you want to learn more about the Chinese language?
If so, download my free report on "8 Common Myths of Learning Chinese" here: http://thechineselearner.com
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