I recently decided that I wanted to pick up the ambition I laid down when I couldn't get into Mandarin courses at the University of York - trying to learn Chinese.
Last time, I was disappointed, but so busy with other classes that I just shrugged, signed up for German, and moved on. This time, my interest is piqued and my capacity is low. I need it to be easy. I know it is famously complex and challenging. And so we go, down the google rabbit hole.
What are the best easy ways to learn Chinese?
There are a plethora of tools and paid and free options. Learning is defined in so many different ways, and a person can make use of many formats to gain and nurture language development. From flash cards to elearning modules to books to episodic videos, so many options are instructor-led, and others are completely asynchronous. And the market for this is vast - like my time at York, when I tried for 2 years to make the cut / class list - and failed. Sometimes it feels like everyone wants to learn Chinese.
Options and Tools:
r/chineselanguage
As a regular reddit user, this is a wildly fast and easy way to keep up with others who are on the journey. They have a series of links that are interesting, if you are looking for another list. Strengths include: The ability to ask questions of other learners. Keeping the Chinese language journey top of mind. Scrolling by memes and images and discussions reminds me to keep going. The content I see posted is fun, light, not terribly deep.
Lists of Chinese courses for $$
My list will not be the longest or most comprehensive.
Those exist! Go get them. Here are a few I read:
https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-chinese-courses/
https://www.digmandarin.com/the-most-recommended-online-chinese-courses.html
Personally I found them a little intimidating. LOTS of options. But really good if you are the kind of researcher who wants to make sure you've seen it all.
Chrome ZhongWen
Oh my gosh, so amazing! Pop up translation help for your online chinese experience. Smooth and easy, like many things on Chrome. Translation is pretty good.
As I went through the lists and recommendations, I realized I had really specific needs. I don't want to look at paper, I'm not interested in watching videos. I have a lot of time when I have no spare hands and no ability to look at screens, but I have a lot of my brain capacity free. Walking the dog, cleaning the kitchen, cooking, watching little Liadan bounce or grab or roll. Which led me to my main investment in this project:
The Verdict
Pimsleur: Mandarin
I bought via audible, using a number of my credits. So far, I'm impressed with my little pile of vocabulary words, I'm speaking Chinese out loud every day that I do a lesson. I like working on the tricky tonal parts of the language repeatedly. I like getting used to deciphering the words. God, I really enjoy all of this repetition.
The lessons are 30 minutes long, they come back again and again to the same terms. They emphasize the enunciation. I'm approaching the language tortoise like. We'll see if I can keep it up!
Are you on a language journey?
Which tools have been the most helpful?
Which would work for different capacities?
