So, maybe you’ve got a lot of free time on your hands during the lockdown. What’s an option that won’t only make your Angkong proud, but might help you out in your business endeavors? Learn Chinese! Mandarin, to be specific. So where can you learn to speak Chinese in the middle of this pandemic?
We list some down for you:
1. Duolingo
This cellphone app is great for learning new languages — including Chinese. All it takes is 5-15 minutes per day to get your daily dose of Mandarin. With this app, you can even test your skills. It will have you review previous modules so you don’t forget basic words. The green owl icon will about remind you about your daily lesson, which can get a little annoying, but hey, at least he cares. If having a competitive element pushes you to do better, this might be for you. With Duolingo, you can see your ranking with others who are studying the same language.
2. SLOWLY
This is another helpful app, but instead of actual lessons, you get a penpal! Having conversations has always been the most effective way to learn a language. SLOWLY connects you with people all over the world that want to have conversations. With SLOWLY, you may make a new friend, teach a language, and learn another.
It’s an online version of sending letters across the world. They enforce a slight delay on the delivery to simulate the time it would take to send a postcard across land and sea. Just be careful with any information you give out when learning the language because after all, your penpal is still a stranger on the Internet.
3. YouTube
YouTube is always a great learning resource. There are countless knowledgeable instructors and native Mandarin-speakers on the website that you’ll be sure to find a content creator’s teaching style that suits your learning style. The content creators are generally also very responsive to queries, but if the creator doesn’t reply, someone in the chat box is sure to help you out.
4. Chinese Textbooks
Textbooks are great for learning Chinese because you can go at your own pace, and they’re much more in depth about explaining the technical aspects of the language. The most recommended Chinese textbooks are Integrated Chinese, New Practical Chinese Reader, and Practical Audio Visual Chinese. All of these come in progressively advancing difficulty levels to better equip you for your interaction with the Mandarin-speaking community.
