208 - Insights from my recent trip to China: The importance of top-down listening

Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate learners of Mandarin. #learnchinese #intermediate #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-an-intermediate-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-2/ How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/ 3 things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/ 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/ You won't learn Chinese simply by living abroad: https://www.hackingchinese.com/you-wont-learn-chinese-simply-by-living-abroad/ Hacking Chinese: A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/ Using HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: Pros and cons: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese How to get past the intermediate Chinese learning plateau: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-get-past-the-intermediate-chinese-learning-plateau/ An introduction to extensive reading for Chinese learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/introduction-extensive-reading-chinese-learners/ 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/ Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/ Make sure listening isn't a practical problem: https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/ The time barrel: Or why you have more time than you think: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/ The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/ The 7 best Chinese reading practice resources for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/ The best free Chinese reading practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/ 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 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/ Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/ How to learn Chinese characters: My best advice: https://www.hackingchinese.com/my-best-advice-on-how-to-learn-chinese-characters/ Is it necessary to learn to write Chinese characters by hand?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/ Studying Chinese when your grades matter: https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter 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 words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context. #learnchinese #pronunciation #context #youtube #usage Link to article: YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context: https://www.hackingchinese.com/youglish-a-free-service-to-hear-and-see-chinese-words-in-context/ Youglish Chinese: https://youglish.com/chinese Obligatory and optional tone change rules in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/optional-obligatory-tone-change-rules-mandarin/ Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese/ Understanding regionally accented Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-to-understand-regionally-accented-mandarin/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence | Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course How to best use flashcards to learn Chinese: Hacking Chinese https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-best-use-flashcards-to-learn-chinese/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/ Using Audacity to learn Chinese (speaking and listening): https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-audacity-to-learn-chinese-speaking-and-listening/ Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way 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)

Should you slow down the Mandarin you listen to? How can you prepare for difficult listening exams? And how can you understand Chinese numbers in context? #learnchinese #rateofspeech #slowaudio #exams #listening #numbers Link to article: Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-september-2024-slowly-spoken-chinese-passing-listening-exams-and-understanding-numbers/ Chinese listening challenge, September 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-listening-challenge/ 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/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/ Do you really know how to count in Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/do-you-really-know-how-to-count-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)

There are over 500 articles and more than 1 million words on Hacking Chinese. How are you supposed to absorb all that information and inspiration as a student? Let’s discuss how to get the most out of my website and podcast!  Back-to-school course discount, 2024: https://www.hackingchinese.com/back-to-school-hacking-chinese-course-discount/ Tags: #learnchinese #course #howto #guidance #discount #backtoschool Link to Unlocking Chinese (for beginners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/ Link to A Practical Guide to Learning Mandarin (for all learners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/practical-guide-to-learning-mandarin/ Link to my pronunciation course (for all learners): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ Link to my listening course (for all learners, under construction): https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/ Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast 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)

I started learning Chinese more than 15 years ago. Here are three things I wish I had known back then, as a beginner! #learnchinese #beginner #timemachine #learningstrategies Link to article: Three things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: The time machine, part 1: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-things-i-wish-i-had-known-as-a-beginner-student-of-chinese-the-time-machine-part-1/ Articles for beginners on Hacking Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/archive-2/beginner/ Unlocking Chinese: The ultimate course for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/ How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/ 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/ What your Chinese course will not teach you: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-course-will-not-teach/ 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 use more than one Chinese textbook: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-you-should-use-more-than-one-chinese-textbook/ 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/ The best free Chinese reading practice for all levels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/10-best-free-chinese-reading-resources-beginner-intermediate-advanced/ The 7 best Chinese reading practice resources for beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/ Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/ Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/ Learning the third tone in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-third-tone-mandarin-chinese 8 tips and tricks for introverts learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-as-an-introverted-student/ What's the difference between Chinese pronunciation and Pinyin? Does it matter?  https://www.hackingchinese.com/whats-the-difference-chinese-pronunciation-and-pinyin-does-matter/ A guide to Pinyin traps and pitfalls: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-guide-to-pinyin-traps-and-pitfalls/ Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/ 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/ Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/ How learning some basic theory can improve your pronunciation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-learning-some-basic-theory-can-improve-your-pronunciation/ Take responsibility for your own learning now: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and many more: https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast 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)

Listening is the most important skill of all, because it accelerates all other learning and is crucial for social integration. What are the best free Chinese listening resources out there for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners? Link to article: ⁠The 10 best free Chinese listening resources for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners⁠: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-10-best-free-chinese-listening-resources-for-beginner-intermediate-and-advanced-learners/⁠ #learnchinese #listening #resources #beginner #intermediate #advanced 7 ideas for smooth and effortless Chinese listening practice: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/make-sure-that-listening-is-not-a-practical-problem/⁠ 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/⁠ Is speaking more important than listening when learning Chinese? ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-speaking-more-important-than-listening-when-learning-chinese/⁠ Three factors that decide how much Chinese you learn: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/⁠ Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/⁠ How to become fluent in Chinese: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/⁠ How to adjust your Chinese listening to the right level: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/adjust-your-listening-practice-to-your-current-state-of-mind/⁠ The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/⁠ The time barrel: How to find more time to study Chinese: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-time-barrel-you-have-more-time-than-you-think/⁠ How to find more time to practise Chinese listening: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-find-more-time-to-practise-listening/⁠ Listen to this and other episodes on your favourite podcasting platform, including Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Google Podcast, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify and YouTube: ⁠https://www.hackingchinese.com/podcast⁠ 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)

How can you stop translating in your head? What are some Chinese words that can’t be translated? And why is translation a worthwhile learning activity? #learnchinese #translation #mentaltranslation Podcast listener survey: https://forms.gle/tVqRe8gVhoQwj9xM7 Link to article: Student Q&A, August 2024: Avoiding mental translation, untranslatable words and why practising translation is good: https://www.hackingchinese.com/student-qa-august-2024-avoiding-mental-translation-untranslatable-words-and-why-practising-translation-is-good/ How to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/ The beginner’s guide to Chinese translation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-beginners-guide-to-chinese-translation/ Improving your Chinese by translating from another language: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-translating-to-improve-your-chinese/ How translation to another language can help you learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-translation-can-help-you-learn-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)

Understanding Chinese involves more than just knowing words and phrases; it's about using context to interpret meaning. My recent trip to China highlighted the crucial role of top-down listening in navigating dialects, speech patterns, and unexpected questions. #learnchinese #topdownlistening #accents #immersion #context Link to article: Insights from my recent trip to China: The importance of top-down listening: https://www.hackingchinese.com/insights-from-my-recent-trip-to-china-the-importance-of-top-down-listening/ 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 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/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 2: From sound to meaning in Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-2-from-sound-to-meaning-in-mandarin/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 3: Using what you already know to aid listening comprehension in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-3-using-what-you-already-know-to-aid-listening-comprehension-in-chinese/ Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 6: Why is listening in Chinese so hard?: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-is-listening-in-chinese-so-hard/ 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 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)

Small details sometimes matter when writing Chinese characters, but sometimes they don't. Figuring out which details to pay attention to is made harder by character variants and font differences! #learnchinese #chineselanguage #chinesefonts #languagelearning #chinesetips Link to article: Chinese character variants and font differences for language learners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-variants-and-fonts-for-language-learners/ Kickstart your learning with the Skritter Character Course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/kickstart-your-learning-with-the-skritter-character-course/ Learning simplified and traditional Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/simplified-and-traditional-chinese/ The History of Chinese Fonts (Skritter Chinese - YouTube): https://youtu.be/YyNWvS-Sauw?si=w_L75973oOQw1Ah6 Chinese variant character dictionary: https://dict.variants.moe.edu.tw/ Zi.tools: https://zi.tools/zi/ How to verify that you use the right Chinese font: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-verify-that-you-use-the-right-chinese-font/ Variant Chinese characters (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variant_Chinese_character 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)

Previewing before Chinese lessons is a simple yet frequently overlooked method to enhance learning. By previewing, you maximise the benefits of each lesson, allowing you to focus on areas where you truly need a teacher's guidance. #learnchinese #preview #class #course Link to article: Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/ Time quality: Studying the right thing at the right time: https://www.hackingchinese.com/time-quality-and-studying-chinese/ The virtues of language exchanges: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-virtues-of-language-exchanges/ Chengyu, a key to Chinese language and culture, or a waste of time? https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-the-right-chengyu-the-right-way/ Use the benefits of teaching to boost your own learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/use-the-benefits-of-teaching-to-boost-your-own-learning/ How to survive and thrive in a difficult Chinese course: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-survive-and-thrive-in-a-difficult-chinese-course/ 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)