In some people's eyes, Chinese can be the most difficult language in the world. However, this saying only tells people the part of truth. Facts show that if you choose the proper way and follow some correct advice, you will find it is much easier for learning Chinese.
When learning a foreign language, the beginning stage would be the most difficult part, for it needs the learners to put much more attention and energy to accept a new system of language. The
learning of Chinese can be more difficult for its special pronunciation and writing system. If you are a Chinese beginner, try to learn according to the following tips, you may find it easier for you to go on.
1. Just like the saying goes: Practice makes perfect. Try to learn 20 new Chinese words each week, then you will have known about 960 or more words learned in a year. While learning new words every day, try to read and write them at the same time. By doing this you may be slow in learning words, but once you have known them, you will remember them in a solid way. Besides, try to learn these words sessions by sessions. This way will help you to make full use of your time, you can even learn some words while riding the bus, eating breakfast or doing other things.
2. Remember to learn 3 simple and useful sentences each day. Just like Chinese daily conversations, Chinese proverb. Remember, learn the simple and useful sentences, and don't learn the complex sentence at beginning.
3. Listen to the tapes of Chinese daily conversations when you have a spare time or a half hour, listen to some basic songs and words will help you to build a sense of language in a short time. A good MP3 may be helpful for your listening ability at the beginning.
4. Watching TV program "learning Chinese" in CCTV international channel (maybe CCTV channel 9).That channel will help you to learn some simple Chinese sentence and useful conversation.
5. Practice speaking to Chinese people, they could corrects your pronunciations. Then you will improve your Chinese pronunciation and conversation and also learn Chinese traditional culture better. or, try to find a study partner to do your practice drills. By doing this you will find it more interesting and easier to start your Chinese activities every day.
6.
Read Chinese books or texts in Pinyin, you can learn some new words, and practice your pronunciations. Remember to buy some books for Chinese beginners, which contain some basic sentence and dialogues.
7. If you have joined a language course in a mandarin school, remember to review what you have learned in the class within 15 minutes after class. Studies have shown that students will keep a greater retention of the knowledge they have learned f they review briefly right after class.
8. Preview by reading out loud. On the day when you are to read the textbook dialogue, do so by reading out loud, rather than silently. By doing this you can practice your spoken Chinese and find out some words you haven't quite mastered yet.
9. Try to learn something about Chinese every day. By doing this you will find it more effective than studying for a long period at one time. It's impossible for you to learn a language by studying only once a week, even if the study period is very long.
10. Make vocabulary flashcards. It will be convenient for you to remember some words during your spare time. It is also useful for your tests in the class if you have chosen to learn Chinese in a mandarin school.
11. To prepare for vocabulary quizzes, you can try the way of making a 3-column vocabulary sheet with characters, pinyin, and English definitions.