Articles in the ‘Attitude and mentality’ category
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The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water is open!
Develop essential Mandarin listening skills with my course, The Fluent Listener. Enrol now for lifetime access to video lessons, curated resources, tailored guidance, and a supportive learning community.
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How to not memorise Chinese characters: The anatomy of bad mnemonics
Mnemonics are clever memory techniques that help you remember everything from PIN codes to Chinese characters. Good mnemonics make learning easier, but bad ones can distract you or even hold you back.
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The best time to start learning Chinese is now: A guide for expats
The best time to start learning Chinese might be behind you, but the second-best time is now. If you’ve been surrounded by Mandarin for years and keep putting off learning the language, this guide is for you!
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A practical guide to your ideal Mandarin self: Build motivation that lasts
Motivation is not a personality trait that you either have or lack. It is a system you can design. Give yourself a clear future self in Mandarin, set up your study routine so it feels good in the moment, and let small, steady actions narrow the gap.
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16 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back
Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let’s explore 16 myths that might be holding you back!
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16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand
Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let’s explore 8 popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand, each critically examined to see which ones truly stand up to scrutiny.
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7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher
A great tutor can transform your Chinese learning, but how do you know if a tutor is good? Let’s explore the key qualities that make a tutor truly effective.
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How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions
Having a tutor can be great for learning Chinese, but how much progress you make depends as much on you as on the tutor. Come prepared, stay engaged, and make the most of each session!
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Will Hacking Chinese help you learn Mandarin?
Is it worth spending time learning how to learn Chinese, or should you focus all your effort on engaging with the language more directly? The answer is that it depends, but the longer your time frame, the more important it becomes to tweak your method.
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Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner
Some say that dating a native speaker is the ultimate shortcut to fluency. “You’ll learn effortlessly with a teacher always by your side!” But is learning Chinese with a partner really the silver bullet it’s often made out to be?
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