If you find yourself in London and are uncertain about where to start with Chinese classes, consider the following list of recommended schools in various parts of the city.

• Confucius Institutes in London
• Local Chinese Schools in London
• Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Confucius Institutes in London

Named after the famous ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, this organization was set up by the Chinese government to promote the Chinese language and culture overseas. Its branches are usually connected to a university. However, because they are a part of the same organization, the curriculum and teaching style is rather uniform. Due to the rigid structure, I would recommend these classes for anyone wanting to see what it’s like learning the language or wanting to pick it up again. They also offer HSK preparation classes. The HSK exam is the official government-recognized Chinese proficiency test; it is highly recommended to take it if you want to work or study in China.

Here are three recommendations:

• The Open University-  They proudly offer the first fully online Confucius Institute, expanding accessibility to learners from diverse backgrounds and locations. According to their website, this approach allows them to reach learners who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn Chinese and explore Chinese civilization and culture.

• London South Bank University- This branch specializes in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This means that in addition to providing classes to prepare for the HSK exams, LSBU also offers classes teaching different types of TCM including acupuncture and therapeutic massage. They also offer a variety of art courses including martial arts and music. Furthermore, they are also an official registered HSK test center.

• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)- While attached to a major university, this Confucius Institute in London focuses on teaching Chinese for business purposes. Consequently, their courses are more concentrated and may include one-on-one and tailored group classes. They also offer resources such as talks on conducting business in China and networking events.

Local Chinese Schools in London

Local language schools are spread throughout the city, providing convenience and face-to-face interaction with instructors and fellow students. This in-person experience can be highly beneficial for those who prefer real-life social interactions and seek a more immersive learning context. It allows you to share experiences and study tips with classmates at a similar level of Chinese. Here are some options:

• The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – Instead of partnering with a Confucious institute, SOAS in London has designed their own set of curriculums for Chinese courses. They cater to all levels, from beginner to advanced. Classes after the beginner level are taught online. SOAS also offers specially tailored courses that can either be one-on-one or in small groups. On their website, SOAS not only highlights the course’s aim but also outlines their method of teaching and what each class covers. They also mention the textbook material the course uses. I like that they were able to take advantage of their university resources and develop shorter courses for non-university students to experience the SOAS teaching style.

• The Chinese School– Based in London, they offer two beginner lessons free of charge. According to their website, these sessions are “designed and taught to the same standard with our fee-paying courses.” The school outlines what will be taught in the free lessons, including learning basic pinyin and tones, starting on basic Chinese characters, greeting people and introducing yourself. I like that within this deal, they also provide a crucial introduction to Chinese culture, providing context for the characters. The school also offers exam preparation for HSK levels 5 and 6. In addition, they offer extensive classes for young learners from Beginner all the way to Advanced. The Chinese School offers structured trips and classes in China. Also, to help further reinforce the learning content, they regularly publish content on their blog about how language and culture interact.

• China Unbound-  Also based in London, this school highlights their teaching as the “personable way.” I like that they offer a variety of class options. Classes include corporate training on how to understand Chinese business practices better, three levels of group classes and one-on-one sessions. The school also offers Cantonese classes. You can book a trial session on their website. According to their website, “we have developed a distinctive teaching approach that works, try it before you decide.” In the free trial, I like that China Unbound also offers to create a customised learning plan, showing the potential learner what they could study with them. The school also offers the free trial in-person or online to suit the needs of the prospective learner in question.

• Mandarin Manhattan- Originally established in the United States, this school has opened a branch across the pond, specifically for adult learners in London. One selling point I thought was very useful is tutors who are experienced in teaching the curriculum for the Chinese GCSE. In addition, the school provides a free trial, in which the student is paired with the teacher most suitable to their background and goals. The school also provides both the textbook and workbook, as well as any other supplementary material. Mandarin Manhattan also provides trips to the local Chinatown, providing more cultural background.

• Julie Private Mandarin Tutor– Julie is a tutor based in North London. Specializing in tutoring children, her teaching method focuses on learning vocabulary through activities and games. On Julie’s website, there is a gallery showing past sessions. However, for older students, not only does she offer tutoring for Chinese GCSE exams, but she also offers teaching up to A-level. Even though there isn’t a free trial available, on the homepage of her website there is a link to inquire about getting a quote, customized to your needs as well as being able to see testimonials of past customers.

• Lingo Class- A school based in central London, they offer classes for not just Mandarin but also Korean, Japanese and Cantonese. I like that on their website, Lingo Class offers additional online free resources. On the Mandarin resources page, they have free quizzes, such as one to find out your HSK level, or you can even take a mock HSK test. With their private tutoring, they offer both in-person or online sessions. According to their website, it is their most flexible option. The private classes also include a customized lesson plan. “These lessons are designed around your individual language goals, whether it be to pass language examinations, find work abroad or simply take up a new hobby.”

• Practical Mandarin- A school based in London, which also offers an impressive online option. They provide three different options to suit your level: Online Booster, Fluency Top up and Make it Regular. All three options are different prices and have different durations. On their website, Practical Mandarin highlights the fact that they have adapted their content with their new e-learning platform. As a result, it is available to teach to students who prefer having an online interface. Their claims are backed it up with testimonials from past students who were taught with their online sessions.

• City Lit- A charity based in central London, they provide tutoring for adults. One way they cater to adult learners is by creating flexible options, such as developing more online classes than in-person options. According to their website, City Lit “ [offers] a range of Chinese (Mandarin) courses at various levels to take you from a complete beginner to a confident speaker of the language.” Most of their classes are on weekday evenings. I like that they have a personal touch, posting a video of each of their teachers introducing themselves and showing their teaching style.

Online Chinese Tutoring for London-Based Learners

Whether you’re a busy professional or a student swamped with exams, if you desire a more customized learning experience with increased flexibility, a private one-on-one tutor might be an ideal choice for you. You can learn Chinese wherever and whenever you want.

• Preply-  Preply is completely online. The website offers a large variety of languages. After you’ve chosen your target language, Preply asks a few short questions to help find the most suitable selection of tutors, for example reason for learning, level of Chinese and budget. I like that there are additional filters to help narrow down your search. For example, if the tutor knows any other languages, what your availability is or if they specialize in a certain area such as preparing for the HSK exam. I like that each teacher has a very detailed profile. This includes how many hours of lessons they’ve done and a rating out of five stars from past students. In addition, each teacher has an introductory video, with a link to view their schedule if you scroll over their profile.
• Touch Chinese – In contrast to general online language learning platforms that encompass Chinese among many languages, opting for a dedicated online Chinese school can offer in-depth and specialized instruction in this target language. There are numerous online Chinese schools to choose from. Take Touch Chinese, for example, where all their teachers are professionals in Chinese language acquisition with years of experience. Whether you want to enhance your speaking skills or prepare for exams, this school can help match you with a suitable tutor. You won’t need to spend time researching the tutors’ qualifications or stability because their course consultants will handle all of that. Moreover, they offer free trial classes, allowing you to determine if the tutor meets your needs. Even if the teacher doesn’t meet your expectations after the trial, you can always request a replacement.

Final Words

From the multitude of Confucius Institutes and associated universities to local specialized Chinese schools and qualified online tutors, there is a variety of structured courses and custom learning plans available both in the capital of London and across the country. The numerous options to choose from make it more possible than ever to find the right school and right teacher to nurture your interest and enhance your Chinese proficiency. If you’re unsure where to start, pick a couple of resources from this article that interest you the most, research their course offerings and arrange a trial class. It could be the first step of a long-lasting relationship both with that school and with the Chinese language and culture.

The post Best Chinese Classes in London: A Review of Schools, Tutors, and Online Options appeared first on .

Let’s look at a few of the benefits of using podcasts for learning:

Relevance: Podcasts often focus on topics that interest you, which can make the learning experience more engaging compared to traditional textbooks.

Portability: You can download episodes and listen to them while jogging, commuting, doing chores, running errands, or whenever it’s convenient for you.

Affordability: Many podcasts are free or offer free episodes and additional resources.

With many Chinese learning podcasts available, each with its own unique characteristics, how do you choose the right one for you? Instead of trying out each podcast to find the perfect fit, we’ve reviewed some of the most popular ones to help you decide.

Here are the best Mandarin Chinese learning podcasts:

• Topical Podcasts for Learning Chinese
• Chinese Podcasts for Beginners
• Podcasts for Learning About Taiwanese Culture

Topical Podcasts for Learning Chinese

#1 Mandarin Bean

Mandarin Bean is an excellent online resource that offers Chinese podcasts suitable for learners of all levels. The podcasts are categorized by HSK level, and you can explore various tags like business, culture, food, history, news, travel, and lifestyle. This diversity allows you to find content that matches your interests.

Mandarin Bean’s podcasts follow a simple format with no hosts or teachers. You listen to stories or dialogues and have access to transcripts in simplified characters, traditional characters, and pinyin. They also provide English translations. One valuable feature is the vocabulary list, which includes key words from the podcast, and you can easily create Quizlet flashcards from these words.

These podcasts are especially useful for independent learners looking to enhance their listening and reading skills. Mandarin Bean helps you acquire vocabulary and grasp grammar within real-life contexts, similar to immersive learning. Instead of traditional teaching methods, these podcasts empower you to teach yourself and prepare for real conversations.

Click and Listen to Mandarin Bean here.

#2 Mandarin Pod

Mandarin Pod is made by a Chinese language school in New York City called Sishu Mandarin. The man running the show is Zhou Tian, who is also the brains behind the school. In each episode, he brings in one or two other teachers from the school to chat about all sorts of stuff, meaning that the podcast has a more casual tone.

These episodes are around 30 minutes long, which I find is just the right amount of time. They pick topics that hit close to home, like what it’s like being an international student in the Big Apple or giving their take on the live-action Mulan movie.

The best part is, since they’re all teachers, they know how to talk in a way that is comprehensible. So, you can actually understand what they’re saying. Although, be warned, the topics might go over the heads of absolute beginners.

There are only 14 episodes in this series. I think that’s a plus because they don’t stretch things out, and each episode keeps you hooked. So, give it a listen if you’re into learning Mandarin or just want to hear some interesting chats.

Click and Listen to Mandarin Pod here.

#3 Chill Chat

Welcome to another engaging podcast designed to boost your language skills! In the Chill Chat series, they follow a more traditional format, where a Chinese teacher teams up with an American Chinese learner. You’ll notice some peppy music kicking off each episode, setting the mood for an exciting language learning journey. The conversation pace is brisk yet manageable, and English is thoughtfully used to clarify key points throughout the episodes.

What sets this podcast apart is the hosts’ contagious high energy, making the entire series an invigorating experience. To help learners gauge their level, each episode is tagged with the corresponding Chinese proficiency level. However, it appears that this series primarily caters to those at the lower intermediate level and above.

One of the standout features of this podcast is its diverse range of topics. The hosts dive into everything from essential grammar points to must-have apps for navigating China. If you’re planning a trip to China, this podcast is a gem, as it’s packed with invaluable tips and advice, such as how to smoothly check into a hotel.

In terms of duration, each episode varies, offering flexibility to fit into your schedule, with runtimes spanning from 10 to 25 minutes. Whether you’re on the go or enjoying a leisurely afternoon, this podcast is a fantastic resource to enhance your Chinese language skills.

Click and Listen to Chill Chat here.

#4 Tea Time Chinese

You can find the Tea Time Chinese podcast on both YouTube and Spotify, but I recommend visiting the website for easy access to transcripts. As you engage with the content, you’ll notice that hovering over characters and grammar points will provide you with helpful explanations, greatly enhancing your understanding.

The host of this podcast, Nathan, hails from Shanghai and now calls France his home. Tea Time Chinese is his brainchild, and it boasts a straightforward structure, complete with delightful music and a concise introduction at the beginning of each episode. Nathan isn’t just a podcast host; he’s also a passionate language enthusiast who loves drawing parallels between Chinese and European languages. Throughout the show, he’ll take you on a journey through his experiences living in China and delve into thought-provoking global topics.

One of the standout features of Tea Time Chinese is its steady pacing, which makes it highly accessible when used in conjunction with the transcripts. While beginners might need to invest a bit more concentration, this podcast is an excellent choice for lower intermediate learners and beyond. Plus, each episode clocks in at a manageable 10-15 minutes, fitting seamlessly into your daily routine.

Click and Listen to Tea Time Chinese here.

#5 Talk Chineasy

Talk Chineasy is an excellent option for busy individuals. They release short daily lessons designed to help learners at all levels gradually expand their vocabulary and understanding of Chinese culture. These podcasts are hosted by ShaoLan and feature various guest stars, whose profiles are available on their website.

While these podcasts introduce new information in each lesson, they are not meant to be complete courses. They provide concise and engaging lessons, making them perfect for learners looking to gain extra practice or learn common phrases for various situations. The presence of guest stars speaking Chinese helps you get used to different Chinese accents, preparing you for interactions with native speakers. These episodes serve as valuable supplements, allowing you to incorporate daily Chinese practice into your routine, aiding in vocabulary retention, listening and speaking practice, and cultural understanding.

Talk Chineasy is especially suitable for those on the move, as it is accessible on various platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Soundcloud. It is an excellent choice if you enjoy listening to podcasts during your commute or workouts, as you can easily access it on your mobile device. Their website provides access to the latest lessons, allowing you to explore topics that align with your interests or complement your ongoing studies.

Click and Listen to Talk Chineasy here.

Chinese Podcasts for Beginners

#1 ChinesePod

ChinesePod offers a variety of resources across different platforms, including Soundcloud and Spotify. While their podcasts are divided into main levels, their playlists are somewhat disorganized, requiring scrolling to find the first episode. Furthermore, sublevels within the playlists lack any order.

I explored the intermediate playlist, where you’ll typically find two hosts – Jenny, a Chinese teacher, and an American named Ken. The podcasts maintain a casual conversational tone without a strict structure. After playing an audio clip, Ken translates the sentences, and both hosts dissect word definitions and grammar, focusing on tones. They also provide additional grammar examples not covered in the audio segment. However, some topics may seem less relevant, like discussing New York City without firsthand experience. Each episode is around 15 minutes long, offering a good pace for learners.

Click and Listen to ChinesePod here.

#2 ChineseClass101

ChineseClass101 is one of the most popular and accessible Chinese podcasts available. You can access it on their website and app, which works on Android, Apple, and Kindle Fire devices. When you sign up, ChineseClass101 helps you determine your proficiency level and gives you access to a library of lessons tailored to your needs. You can explore various course playlists covering topics like conversations, reading and writing, vocabulary, grammar, and culture.

Each lesson starts with a dialogue played at regular speed and then at a slower pace. The hosts dive into the dialogue, offering detailed explanations of the vocabulary and grammar. These explanations are valuable, addressing specific nuances in the language, such as idiomatic expressions and tones. Despite their educational nature, these podcasts maintain an engaging and friendly atmosphere, making you feel like you’re chatting with friends.

Click and Listen to ChineseClass101 here.

#3 Learn Chinese with CoffeeBean Chinese

If you’re eager to start your Chinese learning journey, check out CoffeeBean Chinese, available on Spotify. This podcast is hosted by Mark, a fellow learner, and Cristal, a seasoned Chinese teacher. The pace here is deliberately slow, creating a relaxed conversational atmosphere. What sets this podcast apart is Cristal’s dedication to explaining both the meaning and direct translations of the vocabulary, which is a big help for beginners. However, this thorough approach might suit those who prefer a more leisurely learning experience. The content is practical and relevant, although currently they only offer podcasts for beginners. In each episode, you’ll find detailed breakdowns of grammar points and new vocabulary. Mark provides translations and literal meanings, a valuable feature, especially since study notes come at an additional cost. Expect longer episodes compared to other podcasts, averaging around 23 minutes. You can access CoffeeBean Chinese on Google and Apple Podcasts besides Spotify.

Click and Listen to CoffeeBean Chinese here.

#4 Melnyks Chinese

Melnyks Chinese is a comprehensive podcast tailored for serious learners. Hosted by a single teacher, Serge Melnyk, it adopts a more structured approach similar to a classroom setting. However, it remains a valuable resource for students seeking gradual improvement in fluency. Melnyks Chinese podcasts are designed to build upon vocabulary and grammar from previous lessons, with earlier lessons being easier and later ones becoming more challenging. The concept is to allow beginners to start with lesson 1 and progress to a point where they can confidently handle everyday situations in Chinese.

Each lesson lasts around 20 minutes and covers various daily scenarios or topics. They start with an introduction to the lesson’s vocabulary, with each word repeated multiple times to aid memorization and correct pronunciation. Next, a situational dialogue is presented, repeated in Chinese and later analyzed in English. As the host reviews the dialogue, he explains critical grammar points and demonstrates how vocabulary functions within that context. This approach is particularly useful, as it introduces words before showing how they can be used to construct meaningful sentences.

Click and Listen to Melnyks Chinese here.

#5 I Love Learning Chinese

“I Love Learning Chinese” is designed for busy individuals seeking short daily lessons. Their website and iTunes offer several hundred free lessons, divided into six levels, each with about 25 lessons. Similar to Melnyks Chinese, this series is designed for beginners to start from level 1, episode 1, and progress through level 6, episode 25. Review lessons are also available to revisit key points from previous episodes.

Each lesson lasts 10-15 minutes and focuses on specific grammar concepts or vocabulary terms. The host, Ashley, begins each lesson with an overview of relevant vocabulary, making it easy to follow along and practice pronunciation. The lessons include short, straightforward dialogues that apply the newly introduced vocabulary and grammar concepts. “I Love Learning Chinese” is ideal for learners who appreciate repetition of vocabulary and want to understand Chinese grammar in practical contexts.

Their website offers supplementary resources tailored to beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners. These resources include PDF notes, flashcard reviews, and writing exercises. For absolute beginners, the Level 0 lesson is invaluable, teaching pinyin pronunciation and tone comprehension. The podcast lessons and online materials are a great fit for beginners looking to dedicate just 15 minutes a day to learning Chinese.

Click and Listen to I Love Learning Chinese here.

#6 Mandarin Monkey

If you prefer longer podcasts, Mandarin Monkey’s Chinglish podcast may interest you. With over 100 episodes, each lasting over an hour, these podcasts are available on Soundcloud, Youtube, and Apple Podcasts. Their Youtube channel also offers supplementary listening practice videos.

Differing from the typical lesson format, this podcast features a fluid conversation between two hosts, often switching between Chinese and English. Their approach mirrors that of bilingual books, promoting learning through immersion and comparison. Instead of providing direct Chinese-to-English translations, the English context helps you understand the Chinese dialogue. This approach offers a more relaxed alternative to podcasts that exclusively use Chinese, making it suitable for multitasking during chores, errands, or exercise.

To support their podcast, Mandarin Monkey offers a Patreon with three subscription tiers: $5, $10, and $25. Each tier provides different benefits, with higher tiers also including perks from lower ones. The entry tier gives you access to their Whatsapp discussion group. The mid-tier offers invitations to weekly hangout sessions for practicing Chinese, while the top tier includes a complimentary private lesson each month. Mandarin Monkey emphasizes building a community of Chinese learners, fostering an ideal environment for practicing and connecting with fellow learners.

Click and Listen to Mandarin Monkey here.

Podcasts for Learning About Taiwanese Culture

#1 Learn Chinese the Taiwanese Way with 台味中文

This solo venture podcast is currently free and can be found on various platforms like Youtube and Spotify. The host describes himself as an “online language tutor.” While this podcast doesn’t explain vocabulary, it’s delivered at a comprehensible pace and uses highly relevant and useful language. Keep in mind that it lacks background music, which some might find disengaging.

However, accompanying transcripts provide assistance, displaying characters and grammar used. Note that there’s no English spoken, which may feel like being thrown into the deep end. But the good news is that each episode is relatively short, around 10-15 minutes, making it manageable.

Click and Listen to 台味中文 here.

#2 Learn Mandarin in Mandarin with Huimin

This Taiwan-based self-hosted podcast offers a music introduction to set the tone. The host, Huimin, provides key vocabulary in the episode descriptions. Topics start with basics like self-introductions and describing interests, without translations or grammar explanations. It’s a light and easy-listening podcast suitable for multitasking, but the speaking speed can be inconsistent, which may not be suitable for all learners. Episodes typically range from 10 to 15 minutes. Huimin caters to different levels of learners, labeling episodes with vocabulary levels. As the series progresses, you’ll learn more about Taiwanese culture, enriching your language and cultural knowledge.

Click and Listen to Learn Mandarin in Mandarin with Huimin here.

#3 Haike Chinese 还可中文

This podcast breaks from the traditional learner-teacher structure, featuring two Taiwan-based friends, Li Yi and Shian Shian. This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and offers corresponding transcripts on their website. Their friendly dynamic makes listening more engaging, feeling like a daily conversation between language partners. However, this podcast is more suitable for post-beginner learners due to the somewhat complex topics, such as the Olympics and favorite films. Despite this, it remains light and easy to follow, thanks to a good pace. You’ll also learn about Taiwanese culture, from convenience stores to local customs. Early episodes are around 10 minutes, while later ones extend to about 30 minutes.

Click and Listen to Haike Chinese here.

#4 Talk Mandarin Chinese with Abbey

This Taiwan-based podcast, available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts, is designed for intermediate and advanced learners. Host Abbey speaks at a faster pace, tackling complex and engaging topics. Episodes up to number 65 include free worksheets that explain new vocabulary and grammar in detail. Beyond that, you’ll need to sign up on the website’s Patreon to access the worksheets. While the podcast is enjoyable, I wish the experience lasted longer, as each episode is typically just under 10 minutes.

Click and Listen to Talk Mandarin Chinese with Abbey here.

Conclusion

With so many diverse options, there are sure to be some podcasts that fit your unique learning needs. There are podcasts that act like complete courses, such as ChinesePod, Melnkys Chinese, and Coffee Break Chinese. Then there are also podcasts that act as a supplement. They help you expand your Chinese knowledge with short daily lessons, like Tea Time Chinese and Haike Chinese. If you want to try an immersion-based approach, consider Mandarin Bean and Mandarin Monkey. With so many wonderful options, it can be hard to choose just one.

You don’t have to stop with just one podcast though. You can use one as your main course and another as a supplement. For example, if you listen to ChineseClass101 to learn HSK material, you can also use Mandarin Bean for extra listening practice on topics that you are interested in. Chinese is a complex language, and it can be helpful to learn from multiple sources to truly understand the vocabulary and grammar. Plus listening to multiple hosts speak Chinese will improve your listening comprehension significantly and prepare you to have conversations with native speakers.

With the surge in podcast popularity, many options have emerged on various platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or individual websites. Each offers a unique approach, so you’re sure to find one that suits your level and pace. Podcast series provide an excellent way to explore subjects of interest, such as learning Mandarin Chinese. Happy listening and learning!

The post Supercharge Your Learning with These 15 Mandarin Chinese Podcasts appeared first on .

To guide you on your path to mastering Chinese tones and pronunciation, we’ve compiled a list of useful strategies and Chinese pronunciation tools. These resources will help you see real improvement in your Chinese speaking skills no matter what level you’re at!

• Your Chinese Pinyin Toolkit
  • Four Tones Chart
  • Mandarin Chinese Pinyin Chart with Audio
  • Numeric Pinyin to Tone Marks Converter
  • Chinese Character to Pinyin Converter and Translator
• Your Chinese Pronunciation Practice Toolkit
  • Audio comparison apps
  • The Shadowing Method
  • Clickable subtitles for Chinese dramas
  • Language exchange partners

Your Chinese Pinyin Toolkit

#1: Four Tones Chart

As mentioned earlier, there are four different tones used in Mandarin Chinese. Tones are used to distinguish words that have the same sound. They may sound similar to speaking with intonation in English, except rather than conveying emotion, they convey a different meaning. Below is a chart of the different tones used (Clickable in “Pinyin” column).

#2: Mandarin Chinese Pinyin Chart with Audio

Here you can see Chinese pinyin chart with audio examples.

Dong Chinese also offers an audio database of pinyin sounds as part of its initial 10-lesson free course. At the end, there is a test where you can practice speaking with sentences provided in pinyin, Chinese characters and English. As the image shows, you get a grade for each section and are able to hear a recording of how you sounded. The course is also graded as a whole.

#3: Numeric Pinyin to Tone Marks Converter

Presenting the Pinyin Input and Convert Tool – you can use numbers to add tone marks to pinyin. For example, if you type “Xi1an1,” it will be converted to “Xī’ān.” This is helpful when you want to type in pinyin using tone marks.

As the creator of the website says, “This Chinese numbers pinyin converter tool is the first and only tool for correctly adding tone marks to pinyin from within a web browser. All of the other tools of this type that I’ve seen require server requests, and thus make the user wait during page loads.”

It’s certainly a good choice if you need to add tone marks without waiting around too long.

#4: Chinese Character to Pinyin Converter and Translator

This Chinese to pinyin conversion tool lets you input Chinese characters, which it will then transfer into pinyin alongside the meaning of the characters.

You can use it for Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese. This Chinese to pinyin translation tool can differentiate between characters that have multiple possible pronunciations.

Your Chinese Pronunciation Practice Toolkit

Language learning apps are a great way to study as they are designed to deliver bite-sized lessons that you can fit into a busy schedule and practice on your phone. You can also set daily reminders to do your language exercises. Many apps have free trial periods, so you can see if their teaching style is a good fit for you.

While websites like FluentU offer plenty of immersive video materials with subtitles, which have clickable audio elements to help with pronunciation, there are now quite a few apps that offer audio comparison or even electronic evaluation of your pronunciation, providing instant feedback on how you’re doing.

#1: Audio comparison apps

It’s not just character-learning that benefits from a daily training routine – now you can choose from a number of different apps that compare your pronunciation with an example recording or use text-to-speech to see how clearly you are pronouncing words in Chinese.

Speechling has an online flashcard learning system that allows you to compare audio of you reading out words and sentences with a recording from a native speaker. You are assigned a coach upon registration and can save your recordings for review and feedback by a human tutor.

There are several difficulty levels from Beginner to Expert, which makes this a useful tool for almost any learner — even people who already speak Chinese quite well but lack the opportunity to practice it.

You can give feedback on how hard or easy you found each flashcard, with the harder ones repeated more often.

Your coach – mine was located in Beijing, so be aware of a possible time difference – gets back to you within a day or so to give feedback, either by saying you did great or suggesting you keep working on a specific phrase.

I liked the fact that you can pick recordings of a woman or a man to compare with, as it’s hard sometimes to compare your voice with one that’s much higher or lower.

AccentLab’s Chinese pronunciation checker offers you the chance to record yourself saying vocabulary from HSK Levels 1-6 and to practice some of the tone pairs. This is important because sometimes the tones change when certain tones are paired together in a word.

The site uses a voice-to-text function to evaluate your pronunciation, telling you which pinyin and tones it heard you say.

It’s a fairly clunky interface which didn’t fit too neatly into the display of my small laptop, but it’s fast and efficient at giving feedback. I’d say it’s perfect to keep open in a browser tab to use on and off during the workday.

The Chinese Pronunciation Trainer on Google Chrome can be installed directly into your Chrome browser on any operating system. This trainer offers a fairly basic interface that fits into a pop-up window in your browser.

While you can’t select which vocabulary terms to practice as you can with the other two options, there are thousands of sentences, so it’s a fairly effective way to put in some daily practice if you prefer a simpler experience.

#2: The Shadowing Method

Shadowing is a simple yet effective way to practice speaking and listening at the same time. It involves listening to audio, then repeating what you hear almost immediately.

The method of both listening and following closely with speaking helps you hone in on key aspects of pronunciation. The idea is to imitate everything about the speaker’s delivery, including intonation, pitch, stress and even the emotion.

As well as giving your vocal cords and facial muscles a workout, the process is deeply engrossing and really helps to reset your brain’s expectations of what kind of sounds you should be making when you speak. It also builds confidence when used over time, so when you do speak, your listeners won’t have to work too hard to understand you, and your conversations will flow more easily.

It’s not unlike drama class — we are acting to some extent when we take on a new language, after all.

Here’s a sample from the first lesson, on the topic of hobbies (àihào, 爱好)

Step 1: Listen to the whole conversation or content first. Pay close attention to the marked words or phrases. Remember the pauses and intonation.

Step 2: Listen to the material sentence-by-sentence and repeat each sentence after listening to it. Try to imitate the pronunciation, the tone, the stress, and even the emotion. Please feel free to shadow each sentence again and again.

Step 3: Listen to the material as a whole and read with it at the same time. Try to make sure your sound matches perfectly with the audio. You can check out more free training lessons here.

#3: Clickable subtitles for Chinese dramas

Language Reactor is a fun language-learning extension currently available on Google Chrome. It can be used with both Netflix and YouTube. The extension provides subtitles for videos, and you can opt to have it show characters, pinyin or an English translation. When you hover your mouse over a character, it tells you the pinyin and the English for it. Clicking on the character allows you to hear the pronunciation and the English meaning.

Watching Chinese language shows with the Chinese subtitles on is a less intensive yet still effective listening practice that will also improve your pronunciation. Netflix has an impressive collection of dramas set in imperial times in majestic palaces with amazing period costumes, a particular favorite of mine. My personal recommendations are The Princess Weiyoung (锦绣未央; Jǐnxiù wèiyāng)  (shown at the right being used with Language Reactor) and Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures (金枝玉叶; Jīnzhīyùyè).

Important note: The dialogue seen in Netflix shows may be better suited to intermediate and advanced students than beginners.

#4: Language exchange partners

And of course there’s always the offline option – finding a language exchange partner who can correct your pronunciation and boost your confidence in speaking Chinese in real-life situations.

You can check out more tips about learning Chinese through the language exchange here.

From recording your speaking abilities to testing your tones, these Chinese pronunciation tools should help invigorate your interest in mastering Mandarin pronunciation. Remember to go at your own pace. There are so many resources that you can design your own study plan and learn with methods that suit you best. These apps and learning tools should prove useful no matter which stage of learning Chinese you’re currently at.

Finally, I’ll leave you with my top tip: put in some kind of speaking practice every day, even if it’s only for a few minutes. And be fearless! The more you speak when nobody’s listening, the better you will sound when they are.

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