Speaking over reading?

[iMeng@Meng]

recently I almost dropped studying chinese cause I felt I was lagging but, I figured out why.

It was trying to learn too many characters at the same time.

So would you drop the characters and do that later?

Cause I really think speaking is more important for me.

[anonymoose]

I wouldn't. You should find a pace at which you are comfortable, but characters will help you in the long run.

[Shelley]

I agree with anonymoose. Keep up with the characters, Don't rush, don't expect miracles. It will be useful in the future.

It is better to learn it all together, at the same time, I think it really helps with comprehension, and remembering.

Keep at it

[imron]

When you say too many characters at the same time, how many characters was this (e.g. average per day)?

I agree that continuing with characters, but at a more comfortable pace is a better long-term strategy. Even a small number per day will equal a significant amount over a year or two if you keep at it every day, e.g. 5 characters a day equals over 3,500 characters in 2 years.

[Ludens]

Even a small number per day will equal a significant amount over a year or two if you keep at it every day, e.g. 5 characters a day equals over 3,500 characters in 2 years.

I agree with this, however I don't think 5 characters per day is a small number. SRS that for one year and you'll be spending a lot of time reviewing every day, especially if you want to be able to write them.

[abcdefg]

I relied too long on Pinyin so as to stress speaking over reading when I first began learning Chinese. I was impatient to become conversational. It was a big mistake and took a lot of remedial work to correct it later on. Still to this day I don't have a balanced skill set.

So, like the others above, I also suggest you continue with characters from the start, even if at a reduced pace.

[Tako]

In my opinion at first it's important to just engage your self into the characters by daily repetition on a comfortable level. With time the mind develops like it's own enforced "memory slot" for the characters and it will naturally feel easier and easier to study them so the speed can also increase if needed.

[T-revor]

Don't get discouraged! Keep it up. Everybody plateaus. Everybody. Switch it up and take a breather if you need to. Try to make it fun. But whatever you do, just keep going. B/c eventually you'll break through the plateau and realize you've gotten really good.

[AdamD]

That is absolutely true. I plateau regularly; sometimes despair kicks in, but I always – always – break through it.

The trick is to not let it overwhelm you. Do what you can manage, and push harder when you're ready.

[Markko]

Sometimes i find myself avoiding those tasks that are harder for me (speaking in my case), so as a result i can barely say a word but know like 3 times more characters than my classmates. I guess it's a common mistake, don't entirely give up, just pace down till comfortable. As my teacher said "It easy to learn characters, it's hard not to forget them".

[iMeng@Meng]

Aww you guys, thanks, and as for studying characters I would try to study like fifty a day and 10 grammar points, so yeah I was definitely

overdoing it.

[AdamD]

You could learn related characters together, if you think it would help (as an example: 青, 请, 清, 情, 猜, 睛, 精). The Heisig/Hoenig/Matthews/Harbaugh books all take that sort of approach. It's a comfortable way to pick up characters a little bit more quickly.

[Adam_CLO]

I feel characters can be learned independently of speaking / listening. In fact it might be helpful to go back and learn how to read very basic dialogues, since that way your brain can focus just on character recognition of words you already know, rather than having to also absorb the meaning of those words.

[Nina1]

This is really helpful thank you.

Being new to this site, it really helps to read other people's comments

Thank you

[moonlight]

My suggestion would be to progress on character, speaking and reading in parrallel. Don't overdo yourself in one area at any given period.

When you feel tired of memorizing characters, switch yourself to another task. Your learning will be more enjoyable and fruitful if you can apply what you’ve gained on one task to another without exhausting yourself on one task. Walking on a stable pace can go further than running and stop for a nap. J

[putonghua73]

When you state "characters", do you mean words? Are you studying word-lists verbatim or word-lists in context i.e. example sentences?

The former is faster but has never worked for me; the latter is slower but equips me better to be able to use the word, and slowly get a feel for nuances.

Due to my time constraints, I'm focused less on word acquisition as I am how to use my existing vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to discuss topics, thoughts, feelings with my teacher that are prevalent in my life. I find that reading really cements understanding because you'll be exposed to patterns in sentence structure, as well as grammar.

With my limited time, my focus is on actually using and understanding what I'm learning, as opposed to acquisition.

I think we get hung up on word-lists because it is a passive activity, and it is too easy to skip into that mindset whilst reviewing words. Whereas speaking is active and immediate, thus more difficult. Although my language partner is cajoling me to speak more - hence my particular focus on being able to express thoughts in a boy / girl context.

[abcdefg]

Due to my time constraints, I'm focused less on word acquisition as I am how to use my existing vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to discuss topics, thoughts, feelings with my teacher that are prevalent in my life. I find that reading really cements understanding because you'll be exposed to patterns in sentence structure, as well as grammar.

Me too, except that I also try to write a lot of small compositions. For me that seems to even go beyond reading, since I must use what I think I know and then be corrected on my mistakes.

[herradw]

to post #4:

learning 5 characters per day ...

5 characters per day is quite a lot - Hanban expects acquisition of 800 characters per year for students who study in China which means a little more than 2 characters per day.

[Mactuary]

As has been mentioned above, "preconversing" is quite effective, I think it's good to think of a topic to write about, the more ridiculous the better (eg the problem with a hood is that it doesn't turn as my head does, so it becomes a hazard when crossing the road).

1. write as much as you can in Chinese (keep it short at first)

2. check the dictionary if you don't know the words

3. use these words (even though it'll probably be incorrect, particularly verbs and their complements, not to mention collocations!)

4. Lang-8 like there's no tomorrow

5. review the corrections until you know them off by heart

6. talk about this the next time you see your favourite native Chinese speaker

Because it's something that you want to express you'll want to talk about it and when you actively use the words and sentence structures you'll remember them more effectively. The middle of the process is like reading, except that it would be things you're interested in, instead of reading random articles.

Also, this way you have the power to direct the style of "writing", you're free to write a formal article, essay, or even a dialogue.

I, being an Australian second only to Singaporeans (I hear), love to complain about whatever. And living in Harbin, I have never been left lacking something to complain about, so all my writings are complaints.

[MandarinCslpod]

Many students of CSLPOD wants to use Pinyin instead Chinese characters. Yes, this method makes them feel good cause they are able to "speak" and "read" something. But, for long term study, Chinese characters study is irreplaceable. I recommend you to construct the relationship between PRONUNCIATION AND Characters gradually. For example, listening while reading, using Chinese character, pinyin to do games.