Hacking Chinese

A better way of learning Mandarin

Articles in the ‘Listening’ category

  1. Do you really know how to count in Chinese?

    Counting is one of the first things we learn in a foreign language, yet mastering it takes time. While basic numbers may seem simple, using them effectively in communication requires much more than just memorising words.

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  2. Three things I wish I had known as an advanced student of Chinese: The time machine, part 3

    Improving after you reach an advanced level of Chinese requires new ways of learning and new sources of motivation. If I could go back in time to give a less proficient version of myself advice, here is what I would say.

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  3. Don’t learn Mandarin pronunciation by reading, listen and mimic instead

    Don’t try to learn pronunciation by reading. Instead, the best way to improve is to listen to and mimic native speakers. Focusing too much on how sounds are written down can actually make it harder to hear them!

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  4. Course discount: Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence

    Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence will help you speak Mandarin clearly and naturally. Get $31 off if you enrol before the end of October 13!

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  5. How to use YouTube and other video platforms to learn Chinese

    YouTube and similar platforms offer a vast treasure trove of content that can help you learn Chinese, whether you’re watching videos in Chinese or exploring content about language and culture. But how can you get the most out of this resource at different stages of learning?

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  6. Three things I wish I had known as an intermediate student of Chinese: The time machine, part 2

    Traversing the intermediate Chinese learning plateau requires a shift in focus. Here are three pieces of advice for intermediate students of Mandarin.

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  7. YouGlish: A free service to hear and see Chinese words in context

    Context matters. How words are pronounced and used depends on context, but traditional learning materials lack the diversity to prepare you for real-world Chinese. Fortunately, YouGlish is a great tool for studying language in context.

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  8. Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers

    Should you slow down the Mandarin you listen to? How can you prepare for difficult listening exams? And how can you understand Chinese numbers in context?

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  9. Chinese listening challenge, September 2024

    Enrol in this month’s Chinese listening challenge, starting September 10th! Listen more and learn more through daily practice and friendly competition. This article contains more information about the challenge, as well as tips for what to listen to and how to get the most out of it.

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  10. Three things I wish I had known as a beginner student of Chinese: The time machine, part 1

    I started learning Chinese more than 15 years ago. Here are three things I wish I had known as a beginner!

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