feature: Learning the Language
Self-study – Traditional
Watching TV or movies, listening to music, reading books, magazines and newspapers or even going to a KTV can be challenging, yet engaging ways to learn a language. Lenny Daigle, a translator by profession, originally honed his language skills through a variety of self-study methods. “Watching TV or movies in Chinese with a Chinese person beside you is helpful. I've also printed out lyrics from pop songs I like and learned quite a bit that way. KTV definitely helps with learning to read at speed – reading the lyrics before they disappear is a challenge. I started reading Shanghai Yi Zhou not long after I got to China and it's definitely helped with my Chinese and also turned me on to lots of events, places, books, trends, etc. that I might not have heard about otherwise.”
Pasden says:
Since this method lacks an inherent structure, it’s up to the student to put in the effort to make sense of what they are learning. If there is a book or TV show the learner finds especially interesting, then that’s great, and that interest should be nurtured in order to learn as much from that source as possible. However, if there is no initial interest, this method is not going to work. It is also much more effective when paired with a teacher.
Learning Consultancy
A language learning consultancy is a service that provides customised learning options. By meeting with a trained linguistic consultant, you receive extra guidance and an intensive, one-on-one course of study focused on your needs. The consultant is active throughout the learning process, analysing student progress and directing the learning. Pasden has recently started Shanghai’s first learning consultancy, AllSet Learning. Current student Adam Thurland says, “By using the consultancy service you are already tapped into a wealth of knowledge with regard to Chinese learning, the company has a researched and solid grasp of the methods that really work. I have my regular tutor but AllSet also provides me with the option to change at anytime or combine two tutors on different days, this has been supplemented with regular group exercises and the use of various simple-to-use computer software.”
AllSet Learning. Web: www.allsetlearning.com
Pasden says:
One lesson I’ve learned well over the years is the importance of taking into account the learner experience in a study program. Currently, most Chinese programs do not do this, providing unimaginative, impractical study material with insufficient focus on vital pronunciation issues. At AllSet Learning clients receive guidance through a customised course using a variety of interesting, practical study materials and sharp, trained teachers for one-on-one instruction. I created it to be the best way to learn Mandarin, which I wish I had when I started.
Tutoring
One-on-one learning is arguably the best method for language acquisition. As all of the instructor’s attention is focused on the student, it is very intensive and adaptable to the student’s weaknesses; scheduling is also usually very flexible. Stuart Rawlinson learned Chinese primarily through the help of a tutor. “Having a private tutor means flexibility and having someone who can focus on your personal goals and specific difficulties," he says. "It also means I don't have to have a class at 8am when I can barely speak English, never mind Chinese!"
Pasden says:
Shanghai is full of enterprising young individuals with little to no training or experience who advertise themselves as tutors. Yes, there are great teachers in this group as well, but good freelance tutors are hard to find. If you’re looking for a tutor, ask friends or co-workers for recommendations rather than just turning to the classifieds.
Self-study – New Media
Software suites such Rosetta Stone and language CDs like Pimsleur have been around for many years, however within the last five years there has been a minor revolution in new media Chinese language learning materials. Perhaps the most popular of these is ChinesePod, a website that creates multi-level audio podcasts based on realistic experiences. Karla Van Wieringen-Wang, a four year user of ChinesePod, loves its flexibility. “As a busy professional, a standard classroom approach is simply out of the question, yet it is imperative that I keep up the trajectory of my Chinese learning, both for personal and professional reasons. I've been a 'Guided' subscriber for over a year now, with weekly phone calls with my Chinese teacher.” Other useful programs include Skritter, a flash-based website that improves writing and character recognition, and Anki, a powerful, spaced repetition flashcard application.
Anki. Web: http://ichi2.net/anki
ChinesePod. Web: www.chinesepod.com
Skritter. Web: www.skritter.com
Pasden says:
New media is often very practical, focusing on everyday situations – a clear difference from traditional grammar-focused structures you find in a textbook. ChinesePod excels in this, but if all you’re doing is listening to podcasts, you’re focusing mostly on listening skills, and your spoken Chinese isn’t going to get better without some effort on your part. Skritter is the best way to learn characters that I’ve seen, and it’s fun, but you should really buy a writing tablet to make the most of it. Anki is a great spaced repetition flashcard application, but in order for it to be effective, the student needs to be disciplined enough to use it regularly. Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone are based on solid principles, but they’re inflexible and out-of-date, which often make for an unsatisfactory learning experience.
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Comments
Rocket Chinese
Can't say too much about it yet as I've just started, but Rocket Chinese seems to present language learning in a funny and engaging way so far. I'll try to pair that with Skritter for learning to write as I go, and see how that works out.
writing characters
Surprised there is no mention of Popup Chinese (http://popupchinese.com) in this piece. They also do podcasts which are quite good, but their killer tool is their free iPhone app for learning to write characters
http://itunes.apple.com/app/chinese-writer/id374152537?mt=8
Much better and cheaper than the alternatives suggested in this article. There is too much emphasis in the Chinese learning space on marketing and little on actual learning. Learning Chinese doesn't require expensive learning consultancies. It takes time and hard work. That said, I agree that Anki is great.