How to Start Learning Mandarin

My recommendations for the best resources to start your language learning journey.

Several followers have asked me the same question: How do I start learning Mandarin? Let me share with you how I started, what I learned, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes.

I began my Mandarin learning journey by enrolling in a free online college-level course on edX. Created by Harvard and MIT, edX offers a wide range of university-level courses across various disciplines, and most of them are absolutely free. This platform provided me with a solid foundation and a good introduction to the language. The course comprised YouTube videos, exercises, and quizzes. However, after two months of regular study, I realized I needed more practice and feedback rather than just videos.

During my search for additional resources, I came across Fluent in 3 Months, a website run by “Benny the Irish Polyglot.” Initially skeptical about the claim of achieving fluency in three months, I decided to give it a chance. While achieving full fluency in such a short time frame is unrealistic, Benny’s program proved to be inspirational and energizing. It set the tone for the determination, commitment, and focus required to achieve proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. Although the Fluent in 3 program didn’t take me very far, it provided the momentum I needed to push through the initial phases of memorization.

To find a language learning app that offered practice and corrective feedback, I first tried Duolingo with limited success. Unsatisfied, I eventually invested in Rosetta Stone, the most popular language learning app on the market. However, I regretted this decision as Rosetta Stone provided zero explanation of complex patterns or structures. The company claimed that language is learned through exposure, similar to how babies learn. This approach proved ineffective, and I found myself relying on external resources and online searches to understand the language. Despite my frustrations, I persisted with the course for six months and managed to memorize approximately 300 words and phrases. However, I soon reached a plateau, and the law of diminishing returns set in. Pure memorization only takes you so far, typically around 300-400 words. For beginners, I recommend FluentU, which utilizes authentic media to build vocabulary and fluency through repeated exposure. They offer a 14-day free trial and are the best platform I have found for getting started in a new language.

Around one year into my language learning journey, I discovered ChinesePod, a platform that revolutionized my learning experience. ChinesePod offers 10-12 minute podcasts that present short dialogues, translations, and in-depth analysis in an entertaining manner. They also provide supplementary materials and extensions for further study. Listening to ChinesePod during my daily commute, combined with focused study time, transformed my language learning curve from flat to exponential. I experienced a shift from language learning to language acquisition, witnessing my proficiency grow month by month. While I haven’t found a comparable platform for learning Spanish, I’m currently working on a podcast concept to fill this void. Stay tuned for future updates!

After my breakthrough with ChinesePod, I decided to transition from learning Chinese pinyin to characters. To tackle the challenge of Chinese orthography, I turned to an electronic learning platform called ChineseSimple HSK1. This was a necessary step, as brute memorization is the primary approach for dealing with Chinese characters. Over a couple of months, I built a foundation of nearly 200 characters. Subsequently, I discovered the Mandarin Companion graded reader series, which features entry-level novels based on 150 characters. Although it was challenging at first, using Google Translate and perseverance allowed me to progress. Within three months, I was surprised to find myself reading simplified texts fluently in Mandarin Chinese. The process of language acquisition gained significant momentum.

To summarize, I recommend starting with the Fluent in 3 challenge by Benny and utilizing electronic platforms to build your vocabulary to around 300-400 words. FluentU is an excellent resource for this purpose and beyond. ChinesePod is the best resource on the market for comprehensible listening input. As soon as you are ready for characters, jump into reading with the Mandarin Companion Breakthrough series. Stay tuned to my blog for more opportunities and updates.