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anonymous
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Q: what is the best way to learn Chinese quickly ?

12 years 25 weeks ago in  General  - Shanghai

 
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Posts: 135

Governor

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Start talking to people! Also, I would highly recommend getting good at using the pinyin system. Many people complain that its stupid but without it studying Chinese on your own from a book is nearly impossible.

Go down to your local book store and pick up a book that includes a CD for you to listen to.

Chinese friends are a great way to start too.

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12 years 25 weeks ago

Live passionately, even if it kills you, because something is going to kill you anyway."rn-- Webb Chiles

 
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Emperor

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Abandon the quickly idea. You'll just stress yourself out, and end up remembering less because of the pressure you're putting on yourself. Study hard, but don't expect to wake up one day knowing the language in full. Try to enjoy the ride. There are a lot of interesting bits and bobs and funny expressions and interesting ways of describing things in the Chinese language, especially if you learn the writing, which is pure pleasure. Enjoying yourself and stopping to smell the roses along the way will actually lead you to learning quicker, in my opinion.

Start with a textbook with CDs (pronunciation and listening comprehension will be the biggest obstacle, I think). Put as much time into it as you can.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1197

Shifu

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You'll never learn it quickly. It's best to settle in for the long haul. Start by learning things that you'll need to use everyday. Imagine a scenario (buying stuff from the market for example) and think about what you'll need to know and then study for it.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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Well the question was posted in English on an English site, so I'm going to take as stab and say you are from the West and don't have any real experience with any Asian language. The simple answer is there is no way to learn the language fast. I could tell you to move to a small town where no one can speak English and find a pretty girl to move in with you and force you to learn so you two can actually talk to one another. Well beyond having to run into the fact you'll end up learning a lot of the local dialect compared to actual mandarin, you'll have to suffer though a period of having no one around to talk to, having the headache of trying to follow what people are saying but your limited voc actually makes the understand even worse, and having to fight to desire to say "f" it all and just use English to answer the locals whenever they ask you the same basic questions over and over again (though it's the only words you actually know, you're so sick of hearing them that you can't help but be a smart ass to them).

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 960

Shifu

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I agree with those who say it wont happen quickly. I think that even in the next ten years I have more chance of communicating with Chinese by them learning basic English than that of me learning Chinese. I usually pick up things quickly but trying to learn the language is doing my head in.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 415

Shifu

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Go to sleep with your earphones on! Laughing out loud actually some academics think this works, not sure of their names, maybe it is, D' York or C Raptar or it is John Pistor...my mind is adalled at the moment!!, sorry I meant John Titor!! Cool

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
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in the time it would take you to learn chinese (me) i could learn spanish and french so is it really worth it?

HugAPanda:

I dunno.. maybe if you were going to live/work even tour china for an extended period of time, it might be useful to learn some chinese.

12 years 25 weeks ago
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crimochina:

i have gotten around just fine. learning numbers and some basic phrases are a must. but thanks to the internet, all i have to do is be creative and do my homework. printout maps for taxis, have an army of friends at the ready whom i can call to act as interpreters or to send me a message in chinese

12 years 25 weeks ago
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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 7204

Emperor

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good luck
I have been trying to learn it for 5 years now and we speak it at home alot of the time.
it helps that my wife teaches the kids Chinese and I get to pick up new words.
some days are better than others with repatition being the key
as yoy may have noticed english spelling was never my strong point either.
dont be afraid to try to speak as most people are patiant and respect the effort you are makeing.
the others are just not worth the worry.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 960

Shifu

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This guy is pretty cool and explains things pretty simply.

I am going to try and pick up a bit more this way.

http://www.bon.tv/12/94/3723-tricks-for-learning-chinese-episode-1.shtml

HugAPanda:

Thanks Woody... I'm watching him do the tones andhe's making me giggle. He's adorble. lol

12 years 20 weeks ago
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HugAPanda:

And helpful.. My pronunciation has picked up quite a bit. He's pretty clear.

12 years 20 weeks ago
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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 6

Governor

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Depends on what you want to learn. If you want to focus on speaking maybe 1-2 years of hard work. If you want to learn Hanzi (characters) that will take a while. I think the speed in which you learn Mandarin will solely rely on your dedication to learning the language. If you are very dedicated enroll in a school. From my experience they help a lot. Also as suggested in the posts get your self a native chinese partner and make many native chinese friends. The more you isolate your self to the language you want to learn, chances are the more practice and the more language absorbed.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1

Governor

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we should notice that main essential tool for learning initially is " Listening" and not "Talking" - remember when we were born, none of us could talk.

Although there are many options but I do believe for learning any language need to be settled in the local area- at least for a while- , get involved and contribute to the community in order to have more contacts with local and native people , means keep listening and listening which surly helps automatically learn how to listen and when you could UNDERSTAND what you are listening, then next step- according to the all human being nature – is you want have a logic reaction on what you have understood which could be called as a REPLY or in a simple world TALKING.

When you can listen - Understand - and able to Talk , it means you can speak the language.

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
Posts: 415

Shifu

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The trouble is the local dialect /s where I live and the Chinese migrants who have shops here. Even the locals don't understand them! Laughing out loud

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12 years 25 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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i am a mandarine teacher in Shanghai. I like to teach housewives and kids. In my class, more Chinese, less English. I use vivid pictures and chants to help kids to remember phrases.

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12 years 24 weeks ago

Chinese Teacher, IPA certificate holder

 
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Governor

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There's no quick and easy way to learn this world's most difficult language. Just picture this out, 4 tones, 10K + characters, complicated grammar rules and of course you have to speak loudly as if you're arguing. This is the Chinese language. I've been learning it on the street, here at work, with friends and some books. You may want to hire a tutor, but this is something that never crossed my mind. So the best way for u to learn Chinese is be patient and train your ears and tongue when u talk to the Chinese people. good luck!

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12 years 20 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2

Governor

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just do it.laugh

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12 years 19 weeks ago

I choose,I like.

 
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Governor

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Fina a experienced tutor or a professional school
www.mandaringarden.org

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12 years 11 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2

Governor

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The fast way is you live in the Chinese speaking environment and find a suitable people who are willing to correct your pronunciation I am maybe the right person for you if you are native English speak and would like to talk with me in English.

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12 years 11 weeks ago
 
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Governor

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Study fast

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11 years 18 weeks ago
 
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Emperor

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You have to dedicate at least an hour a day to it and don't be shy. You have to suffer the humilation and akwardness that will befall you when you are learning. 

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11 years 18 weeks ago
 
Posts: 7204

Emperor

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This is a Retro post not Necro lol
The first time i posted apparently .
Look at the users who posted way back when

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7 years 11 weeks ago
 
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