Chinese learning tips

Efficient learning Strategy – Can statisticians determine the best way to learn Chinese?

Ninchanese March 18, 2013

Scientists in China believe they have found the way to make learning Chinese a lot more efficient than any other method currently on offer. They say you’ll learn more useful Chinese characters in less time or with less effort. So what is their method all about? Networking Chinese characters together —using the simple characters to learn the more complex ones— and mixing them with frequencies of use. Is this the key to optimal Chinese learning? Could this be an efficient learning strategy for learning Chinese?

Chinese learning tips characters, components, learn Chinese, linguistics, network approach, radicals, statistics

Chinese family tree made easy: all the vocabulary you need in this infographic

Ninchanese March 15, 2013

Describing your family tree in Chinese ain’t no easy feat: what you call your relatives depend on whether they’re on your dad’s side or on your mom’s side, and on the order in which each relative was born! So to make explaining your family tree to your Chinese friends a lot easier, we created this awesome-looking infographic.

Chinese culture, Chinese learning tips, Vocabulary Chinese family, culture, infographics, learn Chinese, relatives

Top Chinese music sites to learn Chinese with music

Ninchanese March 8, 2013

Listening to Chinese music is a great way to learn Chinese. It helps you get a feel for the language, its rhythm, hear and learn new words in (song) context… But where do you go to listen to Chinese music online? Asian number one popsongs aside (think we’re all about Gangnam style-d out), up and coming Asian and Chinese artists aren’t always easy to find on our western-centric music sites. So, to keep you from missing out anymore on great Chinese and Asian artists, and to give you a new way of learning Chinese, here’s the top Chinese music site.

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate baidu, C-Pop, chinese music, Chinese singers, Chinese sites, Jay Chou, jing.fm, learn Chinese, NESE, qq, Superman, ttplayer

Failing is just part of the process of learning

Ninchanese February 11, 2013

Failing to succeed does not mean failing to progress.

This is a quote from the indie video game Antichamber. And it’s so true!

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate culture, inspiration, Learning Principles, motivation, quote

Weibo to learn Chinese

Ninchanese January 7, 2013

Still too many people outside of China are wondering whether or not to join Weibo, China’s number one micro-blogging site. Why? Probably because they’ve heard – and I had too – a lot of (false) things about Weibo. Accusing it of being just a Twitter-copy for instance… Wrong. Weibo is a lot more than that, than just a wall. One of my favorite feature is being able to chat with my followers and getting to know each other. What a great way to build a community.

Besides, Weibo is a fascinating source of information from the people living and shaping, China. This also makes it a great way to learn Chinese, straight from the source. Read on to get onboard and learn our favorite ways to effectively learn Chinese on Weibo!

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate, Vocabulary Account creation, Chinese learners, community, culture, micro-blogging, social network, WeiBo

HSK test: check you’re ready to take the HSK

Ninchanese December 6, 2012

Think you’re ready to take the HSK? Here’s a great way to check: the official Chinese online mock HSK tests! And they’re free!

One thing though: they’re all in Chinese. Just like the real HSK test will be. Don’t worry though! This step by step walkthrough will get you started with this great HSK test practice in no time.

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate Chinese sites, HSK, HSK exam, HSK preparation, HSK test practice, hskmocktest, learn Chinese, mock test

HSK – 3 cases where you should be taking the HSK

Ninchanese November 29, 2012

To prove how good you are in English, you can take the TOEIC or the TOEFL. These standardized exams are used across the world to assess the English level of non-native English speakers. Want to assess your level in Chinese? You’re in luck, the Chinese Hanban (National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language) created the HSK Chinese exams for that exact purpose a few years ago. Read on to learn more about the exam and why you should be taking it!

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate chinese, Chinese level, exam, HSK, learn Chinese, learning chinese, studying in China, working in China, working in Chinese

Mime your way to spot-on tones!

Ninchanese November 21, 2012

Our last article talked about tones, and how important they are in Chinese language. Especially if you’re planning on being understood in China! Now, on to another important point: How to get your tones right when speaking Chinese.

First off, for those of us that come from non-tonal languages, trying to think about making a sound and modulating the tone of your voice to go up and down is a process that we are utterly unused to. It doesn’t come naturally. But, fret not. You can learn tones. And here’s how.

Beginner, Chinese learning tips Chinese pronunciation, learn Chinese, lesson, newbie, tones

Chinese tones: Oops, that’s the wrong tone!

Ninchanese November 7, 2012

Think tones don’t matter when speaking Chinese? Wait til you get to China and try to say something. Odds are you’ll draw blank stares and shrugs because no one can understand what you’re saying. Or worse, you might suddenly get insulted, for a seemingly unknown reason! The culprit? Your Chinese tones!

Those five little accents are key to being understood in China and maintaining peaceful interactions with people. This is a lesson I learned the hard way when I first moved to China…

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate chinese tones, learn Chinese, lesson, pronunciation, speak Chinese, tones

Spaced repetition: Use it and learn Chinese for good

Ninchanese November 2, 2012

Turning information into lasting knowledge is a science. Really remembering something is a science. And like any science, it requires great tools. One of the most effective memorization methods and tools? Spaced repetition. So much in fact that spaced repetition will absolutely be part of the Ninchanese learning experience. Here’s why we love it.

“People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”

Samuel Johnson, an 18th century English essayist, pinpointed this important fact early on: a key to long term memory retention is being reminded.

Advanced, Beginner, Chinese learning tips, Intermediate, Vocabulary active learning, active recall, learn Chinese, learning fundamentals, long-term retention, memory, spaced repetition