Crossing the Great Wall

Photo by  Vincent Guth  on  Unsplash 大家好！ This summer I was incredibly lucky to be able to go to Beijing to study Chinese for two weeks at a language school. I will try to explain my experience a little, and finish by talking about why I think it is such a good idea if you have the opportunity. Everyone knows that the best way to learn a language is to visit the target language’s country yourself. Being 16, I didn’t have the option to just pack my bags and move, but I was still able to receive a huge boost in my Mandarin by spending two weeks of my summer in Beijing. I attended a That’s Mandarin summer camp, and had one of the best times of my life. It was so great to connect with other people my age learning Chinese. Our teachers pushed us to learn loads, and spoke to us most of the time in Chinese. I chose the intensive course, meaning that I had 6 hours of lessons a day. I actually really recommend this course as it allowed me to really practice all t...

大家好！ As someone who is interested in both the Chinese language and Chinese culture, watching TV has been really important in my learning (and one of the most fun parts :). I'll start by explaining a little bit about why this is a useful technique, and how you can do it yourself. Why this helps you! Watching TV in Chinese both improves your listening abilities and helps to get you used to real life sentence structures you wouldn't find in a text book. Certain phrases can only truly be grasped by seeing them in context. These shows also shed light on Chinese popular culture, which can make you feel more connected to your learning. When I went to China, recognising all the actors on posters made me feel linked to the country and inspired me to keep working hard. Finally, watching TV is an enjoyable way to keep learning even when you are too tired to properly study. My tips on getting started After that positive review I am sure you are itching to get started yourself! ...

When I first started to learn Chinese, I am sure that my friends, family, and even a part of myself believed that it was a bit of a passing phase, but the fact that two years on I am writing this post should prove that wrong. I have become a firm believer that if you have real interest in something, there is always a way to make time to do it.  My name is Rebecca, I'm am currently 16 and about to start my last two years of secondary school studying in the UK. I am also preparing to take both GCSE Chinese and my HSK 3 exam. I have decided to make this blog to motivate myself and others who are studying Mandarin, and to keep track of my progress. Recently this summer I was able to study in Beijing for two weeks, which has confirmed to me even more how much I love the language. My posts will include tips for learning that I have picked up along the way, stories about my experience studying Chinese as a teenager, and culture or language articles. I also enjoy Chinese TV and ...