Many people want to learn and also know how long it takes to learn Chinese, but they don’t know where to start or how long it takes to become fluent. Are you wondering how long it takes to get fluent in Chinese? How much time do you need to spend per day?
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) scale, it will take English speakers 88 weeks (2,200 hours of active learning) to reach native/bilingual Chinese proficiency.
The Chinese language is one of the most widely spoken languages globally. It has been used as a communication medium for over 5,000 years, and it is still being used today.
Chinese is a major language spoken across Asia. It has a rich history and culture and is becoming increasingly important economically. It’s also considered a great way to travel because of its proximity to other Asian countries.
Learning Chinese is a challenging task but possible. If you’re interested in learning Chinese, check out these resources and tools to help you along the journey.
Ways Or Techniques Of Learning Chinese
This technique will help you to know more about how long does it take to learn Chinese
Learn and speak with a native speaker
We’ve already discussed the best way to memorize information: Saying and doing.
Practice with a native Chinese speaker allows you to do this in live situations while getting immediate feedback to help you improve your skills faster. We often see students who have the basics of grammar, broad vocabulary knowledge, good listening skills, and even some writing skills. But they can barely get a word out in Chinese when it matters most!
If you don’t know any Chinese, you can seek out a friend or family member who already knows Chinese. Alternatively, you can use Rype, where we select professional language teachers for you to learn Chinese.
Use Efficient Chinese Study Techniques
Whether you’re studying alone or supplementing your online courses, use spaced repetition techniques to maximize your study time.
It means taking regular breaks between revisions, which is good for your memory, and reviewing words and phrases at set intervals, so they stay in your mind.
There are plenty of spaced repetition software tools available to help you. My favorite app is Flashcards Deluxe.
These articles offer more tips on learning Chinese and getting to grips with its writing system. Learning online
Many free sites offer Chinese courses. They may not be as comprehensive as traditional schools, but they can provide a solid foundation. You can then use them to build up your study schedule.
For example, Duolingo offers interactive lessons with native speakers and is suitable for beginners. If you prefer to learn through text, Rosetta Stone provides various levels of course content.
Make it a lifestyle habit.
These tips won’t be helpful unless you follow them consistently for an extended period. Like anything else we want to learn or achieve, building the habit of practicing our skills is the ultimate foundation we need to establish.
The first step is making the first 30 days count for you. Start small and gradually increase the time spent learning. If possible, set aside some time every day to learn something new.
Find a professional Tutor.
A professional language tutor may be a helpful resource when you want to learn a new language. An experienced tutor will know your primary concern, “How difficult is Chinese to learn?” and try their best to make it easier to learn.
The learning program is customized to your specific needs and preferences with one-on-one training. You will also get practice face-to-face, which will help a lot with proper pronunciation — especially if you find it difficult discerning the different tones and inflections — and familiarizing yourself with the nuances of the language.
self-learning
Fortunately, there are many resources available online in this age of digital technology. There are online courses, guides, podcast series, and even apps designed specifically to help people learn languages. You can also buy Chinese language books and other reading materials on websites like Amazon and eBay. You can even find flashcards and exercises to practice your vocabulary.
Practice Practice Practice
If you have friends whose native language is Chinese, try to speak only with them in Chinese. Most people are happy to help, so it can be fun. If you’re close to or have easy access to a Chinese
community or Chinatown, go there and practice your Chinese with them. Watch videos, movies, and TV shows in Chinese. China has some world-famous filmmakers who make fantastic movies. There’s something for every taste, whether you like action-packed martial arts or breathtaking historical drama.
Learn to sing Chinese songs. Get menus from local Chinese restaurants, Lookup Chinese language online communities — there are always people willing to practice (or help other people practice). The more you practice speaking Chinese, the better you’ll get at speaking it.
Practice Your Pronunciation
It helps you improve your Chinese pronunciation. Listen to the audio, and then use the recording button to record yourself. After you’ve finished, you’ll be given a score out of 100 for your pronunciation and can listen back to your audio playback using a headset microphone.
Factors To Consider On How Long It Takes To Learn Chinese
The Time Dedicated to Learning
The amount of time you spend studying Chinese each day has a huge impact on how long it’ll take you to learn the language.
Naturally, how long you take to learn Chinese depends on how much time you plan to dedicate to language learning daily, weekly, or monthly. Research has shown that people who devote an hour a day to learning a language learn significantly faster than those who attend weekly classes.
That’s why online language learning programs like Rocket Languages work well for many language learners. They encourage the frequent study and are easily accessible daily. And that’s also one reason why full immersion is, overall, the fastest way to learn any language.
Your Attitude
Your attitude also plays a huge part in how quickly you learn Chinese. Suppose you approach language study with a positive attitude and view it as an opportunity to broaden your horizons (and to sound like an expert when you perform a comedic routine, you’ll be more open.
You’ll be more likely to study and learn as long as you’re motivated to do so, and the entire process of studying and learning will be more enjoyable and faster.
Your Motivation
It’s not a secret that motivation has a big impact on how long it takes you to learn Chinese. If you’re excited to learn, you’ll learn faster and see more progress.
It’s easier to be a motivated go-getter when you first start learning, but eventually, your motivation might run out.
Every learner has good and bad days. But no one is immune to feeling unmotivated and falling out of a plateau.
However, the good news is that there are ways to prevent and combat it.
My favorite way to learn Chinese is by immersing myself in Chinese media.
While I love browsing the internet, listening to Chinese music, and chatting with my language partners, I enjoy watching YouTube videos.
Your Time Commitment Each Day
The amount of time you dedicate to learning Chinese every day has a huge effect on how long it’ll take you to learn Chinese.
While you don’t necessarily need to spend 10 hours a day for 72 days, if you want to achieve a conversational level without taking a decade, you should at least put in 30 minutes to an hour daily.
Putting in this amount of time is also beneficial for long-term memory. Spending this much time on something is the best way to ensure long-term memory retention.
In other words, it’s easier and more effective to learn in smaller chunks of content and time.
Whether you have hours a day to spare or not, the biggest takeaway from this factor is that you incorporate Chinese learning, studying, and practicing into your daily life.
Your Study Method
Each person learns and adapts differently. The first thing you need to do is become aware of yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and find the best way to use or deal with them.
Second, figure out your goal and the main reason why you want to learn the language. If you want to learn Chinese to have satisfying conversations while traveling, you should take the time to study. Or would you like to read a book in Chinese? Your answers to these questions will help you decide how
much time you should spend on each part of the language (reading comprehension/vocab memorization and speaking/pronunciation).
Once you’ve identified your goals, it’s time to start taking real action! Which method would you prefer? Would you instead study the language systematically at an institute or take online courses? To figure this out for yourself, ask yourself whether you prefer working in an environment where there are lots of people around or whether you can focus well when alone. Whatever method works for you, use it.
Dedication is key!
Apps To Learn Chinese
You can choose any of the following:
1) WeChat allows you to chat with friends and family members who speak different languages. You can also share photos, voice memos, and even make calls.
2) Duolingo – This is probably the best free app available. It has over 100 million users worldwide and has been translated into over 40 languages.
3) Memrise – A great website that offers lessons and quizzes. They offer courses for beginners and intermediate learners.
4) Rosetta Stone – Another good option costs $40 per month. It includes video tutorials and practice tests.
5) Babbel – An interactive language learning platform that uses games and activities to teach vocabulary and grammar.
6) LingQ – A paid app that teaches you phrases and words.
7) Qwanten – A paid app that helps you learn Chinese characters.
8) Pimsleur – A paid app that focuses mainly on pronunciation.
9) Zhongwen – A paid app that covers both vocabulary and grammar.
10) Canto – A paid app that lets you create flashcards.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, learning Chinese takes patience, dedication, and practice. But if you work hard enough, you’ll eventually master the language. Remember that it’s never too late to start studying Chinese, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you pick up new vocabulary and phrases.
FAQs
What are the best ways to get started in China?
Try your best to create an immersive environment for yourself, whether that means listening to local Chinese audio sources, watching Chinese shows, or even trying to make a Chinese friend online
Why should you practice with a native speaker?
When it comes to learning a new language, practicing with a native speaker will give you far more excellent results than learning through a traditional textbook or a classroom
Is there a way to improve my reading comprehension skills in Chinese?
I am trying to improve my listening comprehension skills by watching videos on youtube, but I feel like I still struggle with understanding the meaning of sentences.
Can I learn Chinese using only audiobooks?
Yes, there are many ways to learn Chinese. However, I think that audiobooks are one of the easiest methods since they allow you to listen to the audio while doing other things such as driving, walking, etc.
How long does it take to learn Chinese?
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) scale, it will take English speakers 88 weeks (2,200 hours of active learning) to reach native/bilingual Chinese proficiency.
What are the challenges of this journey?
Learning a language is a daily practice that requires consistency; if you ever break that consistency, your progress may go downhill.
What if I become frustrated?
It may take a long time for the progress to reveal itself, so it’s normal to become frustrated.
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