How to improve Mandarin speaking in a short period?
I'm usurping this question from the spammer who posted it before me. He was only interested in touting his Mandarin tutoring. I am legitimately curious though what methods (online/offline) and habits any of you have found to improve mandarin speaking in a short period of time.
1 year ago
Newest Questions
Newest Answers
New to Lost Laowai
The habits I have found most useful are:
1. Be willing to be laughed at, once locals get over how funny you sound they very much love to watch you improve under their tutelage. Not just students and tutors but even your favorite BBQ vendor.
2. Mind tones! Especially when asking questions English speakers(myself included) have a tendency to ask questions in a rising (2nd) tone. Think in the movie Anchorman when he says "I'm Ron Burgundy?" So even if you are in Wuhan where everything seems to be second tone make sure you work on that early to not have the habit of messing up the tone when asking questions.
3. Read, Write, Rinse, Repeat - In fairness I have a year of academic study under my belt so I am in the refreshing stage but I found that reading dialouges, then writing them, then reading your written dialogue with a native tutor goes very far not just for helping your command of the language but your confidence. That sign that you only know one character quickly becomes the sign that you know all but one characters by doing it this way. In doing this, make it a habit to go back to a lesson you have mastered a few weeks later and work with a partner to check your tones...see # 2.
Source(s):
The NCIKU online dictionary helps as well. I am currently using the textbook Dajia Shou Hanyu and that is a great starting block.Not so much a help to learn quickly but something that is a hindrance.
Many foreigners in China rely on too much help form colleagues, students, girlfriends etc. It's easy to just let someone translate for you but if you try talking directly to a vendor for example, he/she will talk to you. (they want your money after-all). Think about what you want to say at home, learn the vocab and then take it on the road. The positive reinforcement of actually accomplishing something practical goes a long way.
Like learning anything, it's practice, practice, practice.
actually, there's no shortcut to learn a new language, the more your use it, the more skilled you'll be