184 - The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones, part 2: How important are tones?

Why is your teacher is so much easier to understand than anybody else? Should you read transcripts or subtitles before, during or after listening? And why do I refuse to recommend certain podcasts? #learnchinese #listening #teacher #podcasts #transcripts #subtitles Student Q&A, May 2024: Understanding strangers, listening with transcripts, and which podcasts to avoid:  https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-may-2024-understanding-your-teacher-but-nobody-else-listening-with-transcripts-and-why-i-dont-recommend-some-popular-podcasts/ Chinese listening challenge, May 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ Learning Chinese Through Stories: https://learningchinesethroughstories.com/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard? https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/ Listen before you read: Improve your listening ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-before-you-read-improve-your-listening-ability/ The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/ Can too much guidance make you learn less Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/can-too-much-guidance-make-you-learn-less-chinese/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Many people assume that the hardest part of learning Chinese must be the characters or the tones, but it turns out that most learners struggle more with listening comprehension. Why is that, and what can you do about it? #learnchinese #listening #comprehension #challenges Link to article: Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard? https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/ Is Chinese difficult to learn? ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-chinese-difficult-to-learn/⁠ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/⁠ My new course: The Fluent Listener: Navigating Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water⁠ About right and wrong when learning Chinese: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/about-right-and-wrong-when-learning-chinese/⁠ Source of the audio clip in Spanish: Le système éducatif français - Français facile et compréhensible: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWa2nx2UUBs⁠ Lost in transcription: Saylaw, Ice Island and Aristotle: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/lost-in-transcription-saylaw-ice-island-and-aristotle/⁠ 24 great resources for improving your Mandarin pronunciation: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/24-great-resources-for-improving-your-mandarin-pronunciation/⁠ A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls/⁠ The Hacking Chinese guide to Mandarin tones: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/⁠ How to learn to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/⁠ Learning Chinese is easier than you think: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-is-easy/⁠ Learning Classical Chinese is for everyone (no, seriously!): ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-classical-chinese-is-for-everyone-no-seriously/⁠ Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin⁠ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Chengyu are idioms linked to ancient literature. Are they the key to Chinese language and culture or a waste of time? #learnchinese #chengyu #idiom #vocabulary Link to article:⁠⁠⁠ Chengyu, a magic key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/ The building blocks of Chinese, part 1: Chinese characters and words in a nutshell: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-building-blocks-of-chinese-part-1-chinese-characters-and-words-in-a-nutshell/ Learning Classical Chinese is for everyone (no, seriously!): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-classical-chinese-is-for-everyone-no-seriously/ How I learnt Chinese, part 2: Learning Mandarin in Sweden: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-2-foreign-language-learning-in-sweden/ Six cross-cultural idioms that are the same in Chinese and English | The World of Chinese: https://www.theworldofchinese.com/2021/10/parallel-idioms-that-cross-language-barriers/ Mental models and making mistakes: https://www.hackingchinese.com/making-mistakes-and-correcting-models/ The art of being corrected: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-art-of-being-corrected/ Growing up in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/growing-up-as-a-learner-of-chinese/ 20 Actually Useful Chengyu (成语) | 一步一个脚印 - Blog of Carl Gene Fordham: http://carlgene.com/blog/2010/07/20-actually-useful-chengyu-%E6%88%90%E8%AF%AD More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

If I wrote a comprehensive guide to learning Chinese with a special focus on vocabulary, what would it look like? Now you can find out - for free! #learnchinese #studyguide #skritter #vocabulary Link to article:⁠ Interview: Insights from Skritter’s Complete Guide to Learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/interview-insights-from-skritters-complete-guide-to-learning-chinese/ Get Skritter (and the study guide): https://www.skritter.com/?ref=hackingchinese&?coupon=HCSKRITTER Buy the guide without getting Skritter: https://store.skritter.com/products/digital-skritters-complete-guide-to-learning-chinese?ref=hackingchinese&?coupon=HCSKRITTER Learn more about Skritter in my review: https://www.hackingchinese.com/skritter-chinese-review-boosting-your-character-learning/ Check the video version of the interview on Skritter’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/652O_UeC5sw Learn more about the character course mentioned in the interview: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Is recording and listening to your own Chinese useful for improving your speaking ability? How can you use chengyu to expand your repertoire? And how can role-playing games be utilised to improve your spoken Chinese? #learnchinese #speaking #recording #chengyu #role-playing Link to article: Student Q&A, April 2024: Learning chengyu, listening to yourself and using role-playing games to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-april-2024-learning-chengyu-listening-to-yourself-and-using-role-playing-games-to-learn-chinese/ Links to things mentioned in the introduction Chinese speaking challenge, April 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-speaking-challenge/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ Links for question #1: Learning chengyu Correction: I accidentally say hùxiāngmáodùn instead of zìxiāngmáodùn here. The argument is still the same of course, but for some reason, I got it wrong here, sorry! Learning the right chengyu the right way (please note that I’m in the middle of updating this article): https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/ Links for question #2: Listening to yourself Get to know your Chinese voice to level up your speaking ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/know-your-chinese-voice/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/ The cheapest and most convenient way to improve your spoken Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-way-to-improve-your-spoken-chinese/ Using voice messaging as a stepping stone to Chinese conversations: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-voice-messaging-practise-speaking-listening/ Benchmarking progress in Chinese to stay motivated: https://www.hackingchinese.com/benchmarking-progress/ Links for question #3: Role-playing games Role-playing to learn more Chinese and avoid frustration: https://www.hackingchinese.com/role-playing-to-learn-more-chinese-and-avoid-frustration/ Role-playing as a way to expand your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/role-playing-as-a-way-to-expand-your-language-competence/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

What languages do you speak? Do you speak Chinese? We often use speaking to represent language ability in general, but does that mean that speaking is more important than listening? #learnchinese #speaking #listening #input #output Link to article: Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/ Why is listening in Chinese so hard? https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/ How to learn to hear the sounds and tones in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-to-hear-the-sounds-tones-in-mandarin/ Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/ Is Chinese difficult to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-chinese-difficult-to-learn/ Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/ Immersion at home or: Why you don't have to go abroad to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/immersion-at-home-or-why-you-dont-have-to-go-abroad/ The importance of knowing many words: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-importance-of-knowing-many-words/ 20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Podcasts let you create your own Chinese immersion experience, with level-appropriate stories and authentic conversations. Learn flexibly on the go with the best podcasts for beginners, intermediate and advanced students! #learnchinese #podcasts #listening #beginner #intermediate #advanced Link to article: The best podcasts for learning Chinese in 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-podcasts-for-learning-chinese/ Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/ Learning Chinese through audiobooks: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-through-audio-books/ The best free Chinese listening practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/ Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 1: A guide to Chinese listening comprehension: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-1-a-guide-to-chinese-listening-comprehension/ Make sure listening isn't a practical problem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/ Listen more than once: How the replay button can help you learn more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/listen-more-than-once-how-the-replay-button-can-help-you-learn-more-chinese More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

A language is a structured system used for communication, so the idea to focus on communication when learning Chinese sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly new and rarer than you think! #learnchinese #communication #meaning-focused #communicativelearning Link to article: Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/ Translating to improve your Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-translating-to-improve-your-chinese/ Learn Chinese implicitly through exposure with a seasoning of explicit instruction: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learn-chinese-implicitly-exposure-seasoning-explicit-instruction/ Are you practising Chinese the right way? https://www.hackingchinese.com/are-you-practising-chinese-the-right-way/ Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation's four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

While strong motivation doesn't necessarily accelerate your learning or improve your memory, without it you won't spend enough time learning Chinese. So how can you stay motivated for months, years and even decades? #learnchinese #motivation #sdt #autonomy #competence #relatedness Link to article: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/ Is Chinese difficult to learn? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-chinese-difficult-to-learn/ How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau/ McEown, M. S., & Oga-Baldwin, W. Q. (2019). Self-determination for all language learners: New applications for formal language education. System, 86, 102124. https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2019_McEownOgaBaldwin_System.pdf Should you enrol in a Chinese course or are you better off learning on your own? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-enrol-in-a-chinese-course-or-are-you-better-off-learning-on-your-own/ Take responsibility for your own learning now: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/ Studying Chinese when your grades matter: https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter/ Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/ Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/ Why your Chinese isn't as good as you think it ought to be: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-your-chinese-isnt-as-good-as-you-think-it-ought-to-be/ Why you should learn Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-learn-chinese-in-chinese How narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chinese/ Playing word games to practise fluency: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/ How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/ The kamikaze approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-taking-a-chinese-course-thats-too-hard-good-for-your-learning/ You shouldn't walk the road to Chinese fluency alone: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-shouldnt-walk-the-road-to-chinese-fluency-alone/ Can too much guidance make you learn less Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/can-too-much-guidance-make-you-learn-less-chinese/ The three roads to mastering Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

How can you improve your ability to read aloud in Chinese? How can you learn to see where a word starts and ends in a text? And how can you make sure you get the most out of your reading practice? #learnchinese #reading #segmentation #chinesetext Link to article: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Student Q&A, March 2024: Reading aloud, finding word boundaries, and working actively with reading materials: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-march-2024-reading-aloud-finding-word-boundaries-and-working-actively-with-reading-materials/ Links to things mentioned in the introduction Please fill out my survey about future courses on Hacking Chinese: https://forms.gle/zCUBJq8HUknmnsV39 Chinese reading challenge, March 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-challenge/ Try out mylingua with premium features for free using this link: https://www.mylingua.world/landing/hackingchinese/challenge/ The 10 best free Chinese reading resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/ The best Chinese reading practice for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/ How to find the time and motivation to read more Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-the-time-and-motivation-to-read-more-in-chinese/ Links for question #1: Reading aloud in Chinese Reading aloud in Chinese is really hard: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reading-aloud-in-chinese-is-realy-hard/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/ Learning to read aloud in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-read-aloud-in-chinese/ Chinese reading speed revisited: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-reading-speed-revisited/ Links for question #2: Finding word boundaries in Chinese texts 6 challenges students face when learning to read Chinese and how to overcome them: https://www.hackingchinese.com/6-challenges-students-face-when-learning-to-read-chinese-and-how-to-overcome-them/ An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/ Links for question #3: Working actively with reading materials Hone your Chinese writing ability by writing summaries: https://www.hackingchinese.com/hone-your-chinese-writing-ability-by-writing-summaries/ How to improve your Chinese writing ability through focused reading: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability-through-focused-reading/ How narrow reading and listening can help you bridge the gap to real Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/narrow-listening-reading-can-help-learn-chinese/ How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ 20 tips and tricks to improve your Chinese writing ability: https://www.hackingchinese.com/20-tips-and-tricks-to-improve-your-chinese-writing-ability/ More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)