You step into a bookshop, exploring the Chinese section, only to find a few textbooks and a 'Learn Chinese in Your Car.' But in the English section, shelves overflow with resources for Chinese speakers. And you wonder: could these books help you learn Chinese? #learnchinese #english #esl #resources #books Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Can English learning materials help you learn Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/can-you-use-english-learning-materials-to-study-chinese/ The three fact...
Dec 09, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 227
How can you remember the difference between similar Chinese characters? Are flashcards better than reading for building vocabulary? And how do you learn polyphonic characters? #learnchinese #vocabulary #characters #reading #flashcards Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, December 2024: Learning similar Chinese characters, polyphonic characters, and flashcards vs. reading for building vocabulary: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-december-2024-learning-similar-chinese-char...
Dec 02, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 226
Thanks to the internet, learning Chinese is now more accessible than ever, and you can do it completely for free. Just because you can doesn't mean that you should, however. If you have money to invest, here's how to do so with the greatest impact. #learnchinese #resources #paid #premium #free Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Which Chinese learning resources are worth paying for? https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-learning-tools-and-resources-worth-paying-for/ Black Friday discounts for H...
Nov 25, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 225
Want to understand Mandarin naturally, at any level? This course guides you in building an immersive listening environment and equips you with essential listening strategies. Strengthen your listening ability to unlock conversations, connect with others, and dive into Chinese society and culture, making you feel 如鱼得水 (rúyúdéshuǐ), like a fish in water! The Fluent Listener is a new course from Hacking Chinese. You can learn more about the course by going to: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses...
Nov 18, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 224
Listening is the cornerstone of language learning, yet many students struggle to improve their Mandarin listening comprehension. Fortunately, making progress isn’t as difficult as you might think; just follow these four key principles! #learnchinese #listening #comprehension #improve #motivation Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Four key principles to improve your Mandarin listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/four-key-principles-to-improve-your-mandarin-listening-comprehensi...
Nov 11, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 223
Is reading digitally in Chinese better than on paper? What are the best digital tools for reading? And what should you do if you can’t find texts that are both interesting and at the right level? #learnchinese #reading #faq #digital #paper #tools #comprehensible #engaging Link to article on Hacking Chinese: Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-no...
Nov 04, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 222
Many people believe that learning a new script is challenging, but mastering systems like Zhuyin (Bopomofo) or Japanese kana is surprisingly easy. With the right approach and resources, you can do it in just a few hours! #learnchinese #zhuyin #bopomofo #taiwan Link to article: How to learn Zhuyin (Bopomofo) in two hours: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-zhuyin-bopomofo-in-two-hours/ Skritter's free Zhuyin course: https://app.skritter.com/link/zh/?link=https://skritter.com?deck=6506846...
Oct 31, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 221
Counting is one of the first things we learn in a foreign language, yet mastering it takes time. While basic numbers may seem simple, using them effectively in communication requires much more than just memorising words. #hackingchinese #numbers #counting #fractions #finance #communication Link to article: Do you really know how to count in Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/do-you-really-know-how-to-count-in-chinese/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-be...
Oct 21, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 220
Improving your Chinese after you reach an advanced level requires new ways of learning and new sources of motivation. If I could go back in time to give a less proficient version of myself advice, here is what I would say. #hackingchinese #advanced #timemachine #learningstrategy Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an advanced student of Chinese: Time machine, part 3: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-advanced-student-of-chinese-time-machine-part...
Oct 14, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 219
Don’t try to learn pronunciation by reading. Instead, the best way to improve is to listen to and mimic native speakers. Focusing too much on how sounds are written down can actually make it harder to hear them! #learnchinese #pronunciation #pinyin #labels Link to article: Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead: https://www.hackingchinese.com/dont-learn-mandarin-pronunciation-by-reading/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hacking...
Oct 07, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 218
How is the Pinyin final -i pronounced after sh? How is the initial z- pronounced compared to z in English? And is Pinyin a good transcription system for learning pronunciation? #learnchinese #pronunciation #q&a #pinyin #initials #finals Link to article: Student Q&A, October 2024: Pronouncing the final -i after sh-, the initial z- and if Pinyin is a good transcription system: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-october-2024-pronouncing-the-final-i-after-sh-the-initial-z-and-if-pinyi...
Oct 01, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 217
YouTube and similar platforms offer a vast treasure trove of content that can help you learn Chinese, whether you're watching videos in Chinese or exploring content about language and culture. But how can you get the most out of this resource at different stages of learning? #learnchinese #youtube #video #input Link to article: How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-use-youtube-and-other-video-platforms-to-learn-chinese/ Analyse and b...
Sep 23, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 216
Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate learners of Mandarin. #learnchinese #intermediate #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-intermediate-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-2/ How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all start...
Sep 16, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 215
How words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context. #learnchinese #pronunciation #context #youtube #usage Link to article: YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/youglish-a-free-service-to-hear-and-see-chinese-words-in-context/ Youglish Chinese: https://youglish.com/chinese...
Sep 09, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 214
Should you slow down the Mandarin you listen to? How can you prepare for difficult listening exams? And how can you understand Chinese numbers in context? #learnchinese #rateofspeech #slowaudio #exams #listening #numbers Link to article: Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-september-2024-slowly-spoken-chinese-passing-listening-exams-and-understanding-numbers/ Chinese listening challen...
Sep 02, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 213
There are over 500 articles and more than 1 million words on Hacking Chinese. How are you supposed to absorb all that information and inspiration as a student? Let’s discuss how to get the most out of my website and podcast! Back-to-school course discount, 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/ Tags: #learnchinese #course #howto #guidance #discount #backtoschool Link to Unlocking Chinese (for beginners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocki...
Aug 26, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 212
I started learning Chinese more than 15 years ago. Here are three things I wish I had known back then, as a beginner! #learnchinese #beginner #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: The time machine, part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/ Articles for beginners on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2/beginner/ U...
Aug 19, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 211
Listening is the most important skill of all, because it accelerates all other learning and is crucial for social integration. What are the best free Chinese listening resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners? Link to article: The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners : https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/ #learnchinese #liste...
Aug 14, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 210
How can you stop translating in your head? What are some Chinese words that can’t be translated? And why is translation a worthwhile learning activity? #learnchinese #translation #mentaltranslation Podcast listener survey: https://forms.gle/tVqRe8gVhoQwj9xM7 Link to article: Student Q&A, August 2024: Avoiding mental translation, untranslatable words and why practising translation is good: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-august-2024-avoiding-mental-translation-untranslatable-words-a...
Aug 07, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Understanding Chinese involves more than just knowing words and phrases; it's about using context to interpret meaning. My recent trip to China highlighted the crucial role of top-down listening in navigating dialects, speech patterns, and unexpected questions. #learnchinese #topdownlistening #accents #immersion #context Link to article: Insights from my recent trip to China: The importance of top-down listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/insights-from-my-recent-trip-to-china-the-importance...
Jul 31, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 208
Small details sometimes matter when writing Chinese characters, but sometimes they don't. Figuring out which details to pay attention to is made harder by character variants and font differences! #learnchinese #chineselanguage #chinesefonts #languagelearning #chinesetips Link to article: Chinese character variants and font differences for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-variants-and-fonts-for-language-learners/ Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Charact...
Jul 23, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 207
Previewing before Chinese lessons is a simple yet frequently overlooked method to enhance learning. By previewing, you maximise the benefits of each lesson, allowing you to focus on areas where you truly need a teacher's guidance. #learnchinese #preview #class #course Link to article: Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/ Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality...
Jul 15, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 206
The humble notebook is a powerful tool for learners of Chinese. Whether an exquisite leather-bound journal or a digital text file, a notebook offers more than a space to record information about vocabulary or grammar. #learnchinese #notes #notebook #logging Link to article: How I used a notebook to learn more Chinese, and why you should too: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-really-should-use-a-chinese-notebook/ Chinese language logging, part 3: Tools and resources for keeping track of your...
Jul 08, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 205
How can you read Chinese faster? Which children's books are best for second-language learners? And what's the ideal entry point into Chinese literature? #learnchinese #reading #q&a #speed #genre Link to article: Student Q&A, July 2024: Reading speed, children’s books and Chinese literature: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-july-2024-reading-speed-childrens-books-and-chinese-literature/ Links to things mentioned in the introduction Chinese reading challenge, July 2024: https://ww...
Jul 01, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 204
When learning Chinese, your progress depends on three factors: the content you study, the methods you use, and the time you dedicate. To achieve your goals quickly and efficiently, strive to optimise all three! #learnchinese #progress #time #method #content Link to article: The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/ Interview: Insights from Skritter’s Complete Guide to Learning Chinese: https://www.hackingc...
Jun 24, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 203
Habits are routines that become smooth and effortless with repetition. By developing the right habits for learning Chinese, you can learn more with less effort! #learnchinese #habit #routine #studymanagement Link to article: Habit hacking for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/habit-hacking-for-language-learners/ The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/ The cheapest and most convenient way to improve you...
Jun 17, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 202
Learning the building blocks of Chinese characters is a great idea, but what should learn about each character component? And more specifically, should you learn the pronunciation of radicals? #learnchinese #radicals #pronunciation #components Link to article: Should you learn the pronunciation of radicals? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-pronunciation-of-radicals/ The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building...
Jun 10, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 201
How much time should you spend on flashcards? Is Remembering the Hanzi good for learning Chinese characters? And what resources should you use if you want to understand the writing system better? #learnchinese #vocabualry #characters #hanzi #flashcards #heisig Student Q&A, June 2024: How much time on flashcards, Remembering the Hanzi, and resources for learning characters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-june-2024-how-much-time-on-flashcards-remembering-the-hanzi-and-resources-for-...
Jun 03, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 200
Learning to write Chinese characters by hand takes a lot of time, but in today's digital society, is handwriting even necessary? Let's explore the role of handwriting when learning Chinese as a second language and discuss what a curriculum that caters to all students might look like! #learnchinese #hanzi #handwriting #typing #chinesecharacters Link to article: Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ For more informa...
May 27, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 199
As infants, we perceive the world without filters. Learning our first language, we form categories of sounds, aiding understanding but losing the ability to hear sounds we don’t need. As adults learning a second language, we need to regain this ability. But how? #learnchinese #sounds #tones #perception #training Link to article: Learning to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speak...
May 21, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 194
