Learning Mandarin
Learning Mandarin Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world. Not only is do they use a different alphabet (using Hanzi characters), but they also incorporate tones into their language. These tones aren’t noticed by the native English ear, but are essential to the Chinese ear. Learning Mandarin can, at times, take 10x as long for a native English speaker than to learn Spanish.
The Best Way to Learn Mandarin
The absolute best way to learn Mandarin is to engulf yourself into the language. This means either moving to China where you will be forced to speak the language, getting a Chinese friend who will speak Mandarin with you daily or getting a job that requires Mandarin Chinese expertise. If you can accomplish one or more of these, you will be on your way to learning Mandarin quickly and effectively.
Learn Chinese in China
Learning Chinese in China will nearly guarantee that you learn Mandarin as quickly as possible. Not only will you be taught by native Mandarin speakers, but you will also be able to practice your language in public — when ordering food, buying from stores, and going out with friends. The best places to learn Chinese in China are Beijing, Shenzhen or Taipei if you’d like to be in a large city where the local dialect is Mandarin. If you study Mandarin in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Nanjing you will be forced to deal with locals using a local dialect that is completely different than Mandarin. While everyone in these cities will be able to speak Mandarin, you will hear the local dialect when you are walking the streets; possibly leading to confusion.
Chinese Learning Software
The most popular Chinese learning software for those learning Mandarin are the Pimsleur Mandarin and Rosetta Stone Mandarin course. Both are excellent alternatives from quitting your life in your home country and moving to China to study. For those interested, I’ve been able to find some great discounts to these Mandarin language products here. Overall, the Pimsleur Mandarin course is great for those who want to focus on the audio (speaking and listening) portion of Mandarin while Rosetta Stone goes even further by going into tones and reading. Check out more reviews on these products here.
Learn Mandarin Online
There are a few different companies that allow you to learn Mandarin online — Chinesepod and Skritter come to mind. Chinesepod gives you a few days free to try out their lessons and to download the MP3s while Skritter gives a trial membership to allow you to learn how to write Chinese. Both provide solid additions to either Rosetta Stone or Pimsleur products, but neither will be enough to make you fluent in Mandarin.
Begin Learning Mandarin Video
Stay with us as we share tips on learning Mandarin the right way — whether you remain in your home country or head out to China to learn. Here is a video of a Mandarin Chinese lesson to get you motivated.