My 1 year study plan ^^

[라준희]

Hello everyone~

I'm currently attempting to learn Chinese and hopefully sometime in the distant future I'll be able to converse fluently.

However, before that time comes I have recognised the need to not delve into the study recklessly, but rather, attempt to create structure and order from which (progressive) results may ensue!

Whenever I attempt something like this, I always carry a 1 year mindset.

That is, if I don't see any progress in the space of a full year - then I might have to accept the fact that this isn't my forte.

Nevertheless, here is my study programme.

I was hoping that a few members here would be willing to critique it!

Method

(In no particular order)

Utilising the 'sources', attempt these steps for each and every source:

1) Write down new words in two columns (one with the Chinese term and the other with the English definition), read alternatively and carry over the terms that you have been unable to learn to the next page

2) Memorise phrases and sample sentences

3) Try and substitute as many words and sentences possible in real life

Sources:

Pimsleur

Podcasts/Audiobooks

Media (video)

Children stories/songs

Youtube videos

newspapers and magazines

Grammar books

In conjunction with this study schedule:

- Try to maintain background radio throughout the day (Chinese radio)

- Try to visualise terms using imagery

- Watch various Mandarin related media productions

- Try and read phrases as a sentence - not word for word.

[renzhe]

I think that you'll need at least a good textbook. That's the basis, since there is so much to cover with Chinese that you'll be hopelessly lost if you are not introduced to important grammar concepts in a structured way.

Think of everything else you've listed as supplementary material. Pimsleur Chinese is a nice exercise for spoken Chinese, but it is below elementary level in terms of what you actually learn. Learning a language from podcasts alone is a myth as far as I can tell, they are supplemental. Reading is crucial, but you can't just jump in and read, you need some basics in the language first. Etc.

Writing down words and phrases is important, but write them down into a flashcard program with spaced repetition, like Anki or Mnemosyne. You will need THREE fields: characters, pronunciation and translation. Since characters make remembering things considerably more complicated, you should use memorisation software to help you, writing it down in columns tends to break down after a few hundred items.

And be prepared to spend the first few weeks practicing pinyin and pronunciation. If possible, with a native speaker who corrects you.

[Olle Linge]

I agree with Renzhe. You should use some kind of spaced repetition software (I have tried to explain why here), but I would suggest you use one more field than he suggests. I don't do this for all words, but having a separate "example" field is quite useful.

I also think you need to work on your attitude a bit. I mean, is it possible to spend one year studying without learning anything? If you study hard, you will learn a lot, provided that you're using a reasonably effective method (what you detail seems okay). I would suggest some kind of benchmarking system where you yourself (or with the help of a friend) assess your own ability. If you're worried about not learning enough, you should make sure that "not enough" is based on more than a feeling. The better your Chinese gets, the more you need benchmarks to prove to yourself that you are improving.

It would help a lot to know your current level. The problems you might encounter vary according to how much you already know and it will be very hard for anyone to give any useful advice until we actually know more about the situation, so please share some more info!

[OneEye]

I also agree about the need for a good textbook. I went for a long time without using one, or only peeking at one occasionally. When I finally started working through one I was really surprised at the number of holes in my knowledge. I would also recommend getting a tutor. Good against flash cards and Youtube is one thing, but good against the living...

. Though I will say I've been happy with how quickly my passive knowledge has been turning into active knowledge, had it been already active when I arrived in Taipei I would have tested into a higher class. Learn from my mistakes, and get a tutor if at all possible.

[라준희]

Thanks so much for the input guys!

So basically, instead of a book you recommend a programme (for vocabulary retention / spaced repetition)

and as Snigel mentioned, I should add another 'example' column

As Snigel requested some more info!

Basically, I have a comprehensive understanding of Pinyin (in terms of pronunciation / reading) as well as a good writing ability.

However, my knowledge of Chinese characters are basic - and so too are my grammar skills.

[라준희]

@oneeye

I will hopefully soon!

[Areckx]

I think that you'll need at least a good textbook. That's the basis, since there is so much to cover with Chinese that you'll be hopelessly lost if you are not introduced to important grammar concepts in a structured way.

Sometimes we need to be lost before we can find our way.

However, before that time comes I have recognised the need to not delve into the study recklessly, but rather, attempt to create structure and order from which (progressive) results may ensue!

Even a reckless attempt can turn into beautiful art. The Chinese language is so large that you can start at any point and be equally as lost as someone who started from "useful" or "survival" phrases. The idea is to absorb the language in completeness rather than become an expert.

You're going to do just fine. Keep doing what you're doing and don't give up. Keep pushing yourself and be open to new ideas. Keep a neutral attitude towards the language. What may seem taboo in your own culture may be a non-issue in Chinese.

The fact that you're posting here asking for advice is already a giant leap in the right direction. I know many people who are too timid in their learning to even ask questions. They sit in class and do exactly what 老师 says but that's the problem. They're just machinese repeating data rather than making the language their own. These are the kind of people who are more concerned with their grade than with actually becoming fluent.

You've already took a giant leap past that. Welcome to the forums.

[WestTexas]

Even a reckless attempt can turn into beautiful art. The Chinese language is so large that you can start at any point and be equally as lost as someone who started from "useful" or "survival" phrases. The idea is to absorb the language in completeness rather than become an expert.

Sorry, but I couldn't disagree with this more. It is important to learn the basics of grammar first so that people can understand you and you form good habits. All the vocabulary in the world won't help you if you can't put together a comprehensible sentence. Also, IMO there's no reason to learn uncommon words if you don't already know many common words, unless that uncommon word has a special use for you (for example, you play saxophone and want to learn the word for saxophone). I have no idea what "absorb the language in completeness rather than become an expert" is even supposed to mean. No foreigner (or Chinese, for that matter) is ever going to completely understand every aspect of Chinese or any other language, so the obvious way to go about it is in the way that is going to allow you to express yourself and understand as much as possible in the shortest amount of time, which is by studying common words and familiarizing yourself with grammar.

[OneEye]

So basically, instead of a book you recommend a programme (for vocabulary retention / spaced repetition) and as Snigel mentioned, I should add another 'example' column

Go back and read the responses again. Nobody said anything about "instead of a book". You need a good textbook. You need a good textbook.

[라준희]

Heh, I just purchased a copy of the integrated series (1,1) - and hopefully I'll be able to complete the 1st of the series within a one year span!

Thanks fellas~

[Areckx]

I merely meant that you should focus on learning a variety rather than trying to learn everything. I guess I should have said variety rather than completeness.

The grammar and common phrases are a given, or so I thought. I just meant that you shouldn't be afrait to just jump into the language. Your mind will start noticing higher frequency words naturally and you will have better understandng of it because you have encountered it so many times.

After awhile you just sort of know how frequently a word is used, and can tell if a word is low frequency because you didn't spend the totality of your attention on memorizing phrases.

[bunny87]

The grammar and common phrases are a given, or so I thought

this is a given in retrospect. many, MANY people believe vocabulary = ability. i dealt with many of those kind of students wondering why i "wasted" class time on "stupid junk we'll never use". ugh. but for a new, hopeful learner, it is important to leave out any assumptions. kind of like, after a year of college level mandarin 1 and 2, i had no idea why i got a steaming wet hot little napkin on the plane to china. to burn my hands? really had no idea. it was one of those moments i looked busy with a camera or something while i realized everyone else washed their hands with it. and then food arrived. it all made sense. it might be a bigger than china thing, or not even Chinese. i still don't know...

[Areckx]

Yeah grammar cannot be ignored. Although it takes time to get to the point when you can really get into it, like with English. You need to be comfortable with the language, otherwise you'll just pull your hair out.

It's definitely essential in advanced studies.

[edelweis]

how are you doing then?

did you make much progress?