Live in China is the fastest way to learn Chinese
Jul 2nd, 2009 by Reading and Writing
Chinese seems like such a mysterious language to Western cultures.
The fact is,the average educated Chinese native only needs to know between 6,000 and 7,000 characters, a little less than the 8,000 words the average American knows of English. Plus, the strict rules of sentence structure with few exceptions to the rules make the language even easier to learn.
Certainly, billions of Chinese already know this. From they were born,they have been taking Chinese language lessons. But there are ways you can learning Chinese, without having to travel or live in China.
Here are some of the ways you can take Chinese language lessons that will have you speaking and writing the language in no time.
Traditional Classes: Many community colleges and other educational institutions offer Chinese language lessons these days. You learn with other students the meanings of the characters, and get instant feedback on your pronunciation and usage in a classroom environment. The downside of traditional classes is that you move along at the same pace as everyone else. So if you need a little extra time on a skill, it’s easy to fall behind. PS,these classes will be very expensive once you move beyond the beginning level.
Ranging from complete courses to ones geared toward conversational Chinese for tourists, these Chinese language lessons can be effective for some students. The main drawback is you don’t receive any feedback from an instructor, who may be able to offer you specific tips and suggestions regarding your pronunciation. These tools lack the interactivity live lessons can offer you, which, in the case of Chinese, is very important.
Stories, dialogs and humor. Available online and as podcasts, there are many resources available that offer you the chance to learning Chinesee by repeating key phrases or entire passages. These shouldn’t be bewildered with actual Chinese language lessons. These resources don’t permit you to ask questions, such as work on individual language problems or learn the grammatical rules required to master the language.
Online lessons with a native speaker: Online Chinese language lessons offer the best option for mastering the language for most people. You work at your own pace with someone who is not only fluent in Chinese, but is from China. You can learn the nuances of pronunciation, focus on problem areas and learn the language much more quickly. The one-on-one environment offers you the chance to practice in the privacy of your own home whenever you wish and ask questions. You get the immediate feedback of an expert in the language, plus you never have to feel embarrassed during your classes, since you’re the only student attending.
Outside of living in China, it’s one of the best ways you can learn one of the most beautiful and ancient languages in the world.
