When it comes to learning anything, having a good understanding of the basics involved will go a long way in helping you successfully master the skill. This is particularly the case in the context of learning a second language. If you try to learn a language by yourself and without any resources, you very likely won’t get very far at all. However, developing a strong understanding and comprehension of the basic principles, sentence structures, and vocabulary will further inform more complicated syntax, communication, and understanding. 

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Math and language are actually a lot alike in this way. When you’re first learning mathematics and language, it’s all about developing an understanding of the most basic functions. Then, these functions are able to compound on one another, forming much more complicated models, like computer science algorithms and AI programs. Meanwhile for languages, this results in breathtaking novels, heart-wrenching poetry, and jaw-dropping filmography. 

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If you want to learn Chinese, these are a few of the basics that you’ll need to grasp in order to be successful. 

A Dedicated Study Routine

This may sound like a no-brainer, but being dedicated to your study routine is a massive piece of the puzzle when it comes to learning a language through consistency. Having a dedicated study routine that you don’t sacrifice no matter what the temptation is, will help you gain a strong comprehension over the basic principles of Chinese grammar and syntax. This isn’t just the case with learning Chinese, either. Having a dedicated study routine will help you master any skill, language, or subject that you decide to put your mind to. 

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Dedicated study routines also make it easy for you to block out time in your schedule because you already know that you have a non-negotiable obligation. Furthermore, a regular study routine will establish a sense of consistency in your learning practices which is arguably the most important variable in learning anything. 

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Sinking in consistent time, effort, and energy will surely help you master anything you deem worth learning. 

Learning the Alphabet

There are certain languages in the world that are a little bit unique. This is because they’re character-based rather than letter based. In other words, the way they’re designed fundamentally differs from the way that most Latin based languages are designed. This can make Chinese and other like-languages more difficult to learn for native speakers of a Latin-based language, like Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, English, and French.  

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As such, learning the Chinese alphabet is a crucial first step in learning the Chinese language as a whole. 

Books, Materials, and Learning Tools

Next on the list are the tools that you’re going to need in order to successfully complete your language-learning goals. In the context of learning Chinese, or any language for that matter, you’re going to need books, lesson-plans, exercises to complete, and may even want to utilize other learning-tools like flash-cards or language-learning apps. 

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All of these different educational materials serve a very specific purpose in the course of learning a language. Books, for instance, will help with reading and interpretation of the written language, and can expand your vocabulary as well. While exercises, like going through a deck of flash-cards can be helpful in committing short-term memories into long-term memories available for instant recall. 

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Utilizing a plethora of different learning tools and strategies will enhance your language-learning experience and help you become a natural speaker in no time. 

Finding a Teacher

Having a teacher or a guide can be extremely powerful if you’re trying to learn a language. This is because they can offer you insights into the language to which you may otherwise never be privy. Having this level of firsthand insight and experience to pull and learn from can completely change the language-learning experience for the better. 

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Enrolling in a traditional class with lectures and in-classroom activities may not be a very appealing and even too time consuming to many, especially adults. This is okay, when it comes to language-teachers, they hardly ever have to be the traditional professor. 

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Having regular conversations with native speakers can be just as beneficial and teach you just as much about the way the language operates in our everyday lives. Furthermore, many people opt to utilize language-learning apps, which take over the role of a traditional foreign language professor or teacher. 

A Study or Practice Partner

Last, but certainly not least, your language-learning journey will be massively improved and elevated if you’re able to find a study partner to practice with. Having a study-partner to work on conversation with, ask questions, and engage in exercises with can make the whole language-learning process much more enjoyable, satisfying, and fulfilling. 

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Not to mention, having a study partner gives you an opportunity to regularly practice conversation in your new language whenever the mood strikes. 

Wrapping Up

Learning a new language, or anything new, can be scary. Implement these basic techniques and you’ll find yourself well on your way to mastering the age-old-art form that is the Chinese language.

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