My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

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My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

Postby AmericanLion1776 on May 10th, 2010, 2:54 pm

Hello. I am here to offer a review of various methods I've employed and am currently employing to learn spoken Mandarin. You should read this if you are just starting your studies becuase I am someone who has been doing this for a few months full time.

A few methods I have found in my quest to find the best method have been the following:
-DLI / FSI (you're on the website)
-The Michel Thomas Method
-The Pimsleur Method
-The Rosetta Stone
-Youtube compilations
-Improvisation via online chatting networks


Having tried all of the above methods, I'd say that the Michel Thomas Method is the best place to start and then it is necessary for the student to branch off into the FSI program and the Pimsleur programs simultaneously. These three programs all have very unique advantages over eachother that, when combined, will arm you with the ability to speak perfect Chinese.

The best starting place: The Michel Thomas Method (Youtube or google it)
The reason I suggest starting with the Michel Thomas Method is because it is the perfect starting point. The structure of this program is two teachers and two students recording their entire class from start to finish and providing in depth explanations clearly and all encompassing for the two students. By the end of the program, the students have covered all of the material of a first semester of Chinese. The class and the teachers move at a slow pace and at any time the students make a mistake -- the mistake is corrected by the instructors until the students try again. This method allows you, a listener, to hear the mistakes of others and hear the repeated corrections until both students understand fully and the class moves on. This program is fast paced and you should breeze through it. At the end of this program you will have tiptoed in every realm of the language and you'll be ready to start more advanced and fast paced study.

Where to from here?: Pimsleur and FLI.
I'd say, after the Michel Thomas Method is completed -- try the pimsleur and FLI learning materials. You will be entering the language classes offered by these two programs already armed with a working knowledge of the language and the culture provided.
My knowledge of the language when beginning both Pimsleur and FLI was enough to communicate anything I’d need to communicate… These two additional methods are both providing me with additional vocabulary, additional practice, and additional training with oratory speed and comprehension.

After Michel Thomas, Pimsleur, and FLI?: Rosetta Stone, Youtube, and Improvising with REAL Chinese speakers!
I’d say it is time to improvise. Realistically, your vocabulary is not good. These programs arbitrarily decide that they will use only certain vocabulary… as such, it is good to try multiple programs and get all of the vocabulary you can because when you come into contact with a native Chinese speaker they might not want to be using the pimsleur vocabulary or the FLI vocabulary but might instead use the CHINESE VOCABULARY.

Where then do we get the Chinese vocabulary from? Three more options for self study exist… The Rosetta Stone is pretty excellent for vocabulary and so are youtube videos. Another good thing to try at this point, if you are brave enough, is to start contacting Chinese people online and making friends. Contact and communication with the Chinese is second to none as they can provide new vocabulary and sentence structure as well as explanations and demonstrations for its use. They are usually very excited to speak to an aspiring learner of Chinese.

I strongly believe that using just one method is not enough. One method would leave you grammatically naked in a sea of vocabulary you’ve never encountered.

You’ll feel like you studied for so long and learned only enough to say, “Hi, My name is Hu Mei Ling.”
AmericanLion1776
 
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Joined: May 10th, 2010, 2:25 pm

Re: My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

Postby AmericanLion1776 on May 15th, 2010, 6:45 am

UPDATE: I found a great website for networking with online Chinese. The website is LiveMocha. Live mocha is a network of language learners. Try it after you've completed this material or are half way through it -- you will be rewarded with the ability to speak to natives as often as you'd like.
AmericanLion1776
 
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Re: My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

Postby sfishman on May 15th, 2010, 8:44 pm

Zon (enterzon.com) is also a pretty cool MMORPG aimed at immersing one in Chinese language and culture.
sfishman
 
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Joined: April 26th, 2010, 1:37 pm

Re: My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

Postby linny on July 8th, 2011, 2:11 pm

Hi,
I have used the FSI online language courseware for Chinese Mandarin a few times now, in preparation for speaking and listening tests. I enjoy the FSI course b/c it includes many useful phrases for both speaking and listening comprehension.

I personally do not like Rosetta Stone's Chinese Mandarin course. It teaches short-term memory skills relying heavily upon visual cues. Long-term retention of the material is nearly impossible without an additional, traditional language course taken in college or previous language experience in the language.

I am a strong proponent of the Defense Language Institute's method of foreign language learning (this is non DoD propaganda!). All day, everyday until you reach 2s!
linny
 
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Joined: July 8th, 2011, 2:01 pm
Location: Arlington, VA

Re: My review of various methods to learn Mandarin

Postby billyeveryteen on July 23rd, 2011, 7:20 pm

Nice reviews - I also used Chinesepod.com a lot because their audio lessons are easy to listen to (like with coffee etc) in the morning. Some users may also want to try http://studymorechinese.com/ - it's a social network for Chinese learners where users write blogs, upload photos & share videos, all about learning Chinese.
billyeveryteen
 
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Joined: July 23rd, 2011, 7:16 pm


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