As technology advances, online Chinese tests have become popular among learners. These tests provide a convenient way to assess skills regularly without needing to be physically present in a classroom.

For Chinese language learners, online testing tools are invaluable resources that complement traditional learning methods, making language mastery more accessible to people worldwide.

Benefits of Chinese Tests Online

Online Chinese tests provide numerous benefits that enhance the language learning experience.

1. They provide unmatched convenience and accessibility. Learners can take these tests from anywhere at any time, as long as they have internet access.
2. Online tests deliver immediate feedback and results. This instant response enables learners to see precisely where they excel and where they need more improvement.
3. Many of these tests are highly customizable and adaptable to various learning levels. Whether a beginner or advanced, learners can find tests tailored to their specific proficiency stage.

Types and Resources of Online Chinese Tests

Online Chinese tests come in various forms, each serving a distinct purpose in the learning journey:

Placement Tests

These tests are designed to assess a new learner’s current level of Chinese proficiency. They help determine the appropriate starting point in a language course or curriculum, ensuring that the material matches the learner’s skills and knowledge base.

ESL Language: It offers a straightforward and effective way to assess your Mandarin proficiency. The test consists of 40 questions in a simple fill-in-the-blank style, using both pinyin and Chinese characters. Upon completion, it provides a score that indicates your current level of Chinese, along with the correct answers to each question.

Touch Chinese: This test assesses a learner’s proficiency across a range of skills. Featuring 36 questions, the test includes various formats such as fill-in-the-blanks, question and answer, reading comprehension, and sentence ordering tasks. The questions range in difficulty from beginner to advanced levels, accommodating learners at different stages of their language journey. Some questions are provided with pinyin to assist beginners, while others are presented in pure Chinese for more advanced learners. After completing the test, participants receive immediate feedback, including their current level and general suggestions for further learning.

Testizer: This test comprises 25 questions and operates under a time limit to challenge your ability to respond quickly. Covering difficulty levels from HSK 1 to HSK 4, it assesses a broad spectrum of language competencies. Upon completion, the test indicates your potential HSK level. For those interested in a detailed report of their performance, signing up on the platform is necessary.

Progress Tests

These tests are conducted at regular intervals to monitor learners’ development over time. They are crucial for gauging improvement and identifying which aspects of the language have been successfully mastered and which areas still require attention.

HelloChinese: Known for its user-friendly interface, this platform offers interactive tests and quizzes that make learning engaging. It is ideal for beginners and includes features like speech recognition to practice pronunciation. (HelloChinese: Say “Ni Hao” To Chinese Language)

Duolingo Chinese: This platform provides structured tests that help learners track their progress through a tiered learning system. (Can Duolingo help you master Chinese? – Duolingo Chinese Review)

Chinese Skill: It offers a variety of tests that are aligned with different learning stages, focusing on practical language use through games and real-life scenarios.

Practice Tests

Often mirroring the format and difficulty of official certification exams like the HSK (Chinese Language Proficiency Test), practice tests enable learners to specifically prepare for these assessments. They offer a realistic experience of what to expect in the actual test, helping to reduce anxiety and enhance performance.

Mandarin Bean: This platform provides a variety of quizzes and tests to assess and practice Chinese reading and listening skills, covering areas such as pinyin, HSK, YCT, and more. It is beneficial for learners at all levels who are looking to improve their comprehension skills. (MandarinBean Review: Practice Chinese Reading and Listening)

Chinese Test: This platform offers online tests for various Chinese language certifications, including the HSK and YCT, and is known for its official status.

Super Test: This app delivers simulations of real test environments, along with practice tests and learning materials tailored to each HSK level. (Android, Apple)

Summary

Online Chinese tests are vital tools for language learners, providing various types such as placement, progress, and practice tests across numerous platforms. These tests offer convenience, immediate feedback, and customization to accommodate different learning levels. Learners are encouraged to incorporate these online testing resources into their study routines. Engaging with these tools can significantly enhance your understanding and mastery of the Chinese language, making your learning journey both effective and rewarding. Embrace these opportunities to evaluate and improve your skills as you progress toward fluency.

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So here it is, my dear readers, my recommendations of the best Chinese language learning apps that are available right now. Some of these apps may be a surprise, while some are quite popular. Make sure to return to this article from time to time as we will be constantly updating it with the latest apps we will test.

The Best Apps to Learn Chinese ( by function)

1. Chinese Reading Apps
2. Chinese Characters Apps
3. Chinese Dictionary Apps
4. Chinese Listening Apps
5. Gamification Apps
6. Chinese Speaking Apps

Chinese Reading Apps

Du Chinese

Du Chinese is a revolutionary app will help you to improve your Chinese reading skills.

I am impressed by the clean design and user interface. It is easy to use and loading material takes only seconds. You can read by yourself or listen to an audio recording and read along. The characters and pinyin layout look very comfortable. You can easily turn the pinyin on and off and switch Chinese characters between Simplified and Traditional. It supports English translations for single words and sentences. All sentences have been carefully translated and they stay as true as possible to the original Mandarin.

The reading material topics are quite interesting, covering daily conversations, Chinese culture, current events，the latest trends, funny stories, and regular life in China. They are marked by difficulty, ranging from newbie to master. Each session is also labelled from HSK level 1 ~ 6+. It is easy to find material for your level.

Save 10% on your subscriptions to Du Chinese with the promo code “DIG10”.

You can also find alternatives to Du Chinese, like MandarinBean, which is available only as a web version and offers graded reading for free.

Chinese Characters Apps

Skritter

Skritter does really well with teaching correct stroke order and focusing on the muscle memory that should be formed when learning new characters. The lists of vocabulary are expansive, and I can really appreciate that the vocabulary are taken straight from textbooks. This would be a useful resource for language learners who are using a particular textbook in their classes. They could look up if their textbook is in the database, and draw vocabulary right from there. It offers lists from 393 different books. The lists are organized by popularity, learner level, and alphabetically. You simply chose a list and start learning.

Another great feature Skritter offers is the ability to track your progress. They keep track of how many characters are introduced, how many are practiced, and how many are memorized. You can also study the words offline, and the progress will be synced when connected again. You can look up your progress by the day, week, month, and year.

Zizzle

If you have trouble memorizing Chinese characters, then Zizzle will definitely help you.

This app breaks down characters into their component parts. Then, they use images and a short story to help you remember these components. Most of the stories are ridiculous or funny enough to be memorable. Each tone is represented by a certain animal which helps you remember the character. It also teaches characters that build up from smaller to more complex characters in a logical way.

I am in love with this app, and its method taught me characters that I have tried and failed to learn in the classroom. It presents an effective, novel, and fun way to learn and memorize Chinese characters. If you are total beginner, I can safely say you will know hundreds of characters in few days and be able to read them confidently.

Use the promo code “DIGMANDARIN10” to save 10% on all three-month and annual subscriptions, as well as packs.

Chinese Dictionary Apps

Pleco

The dictionary app will probably be one of the most useful and frequently used ones for people learning Mandarin; Pleco may be the app most frequently recommended for this function. It allows you to quickly look up a Chinese word or character wherever you are.

Key features:

1. Chinese handwriting recognition: the option to hand write instead of typing in pinyin is very useful when searching for characters you don’t know.
2. OCR: it allows you to look up unknown Chinese words ‘live’ using your device’s camera, or tap-lookup words in a still image.
3. Stroke order guides: to help you find out how to write the Chinese characters in the proper order.
4. Flashcard system: insanely powerful / customizable system, making it extremely easy to add new flashcards from dictionary entries or to import pre-made vocabulary lists.

More translator apps review: the good, the bad, and the absolutely useless

Chinese Listening Apps

Chineseclass101

No doubt that Chineseclass101 is one of the most well-structured podcast Mandarin courses available today. With language instruction podcasts, you can improve your pronunciation and boost your listening comprehension skills.

ChineseClass101 has an extensive collection of audio materials covering all levels. By having access to different levels, you can choose the best one for you. Each lesson has notes that include the key grammar point broken down clearly along with Chinese cultural insights. The lesson dialogue will help you understand real life conversations in China and will definitely help you improve your listening skills. It also offers an interactive voice recorder tool, which lets you record your pronunciation and compare it to that of a native speaker.

Chinesepod

Chinesepod is another example of podcast Mandarin app. The quantity of lessons is pretty big. It even has more interactive exercises for learning new words and phrases. In ChinesePod, the amount of Mandarin speech in each lesson is increased step-by-step. Even lessons for Upper-Intermediate students have  English explanations which are quite helpful! Advanced students may enjoy the Mandarin-only podcast lessons.

Gamification Apps

Hello Chinese

Hello Chinese is a powerful learning tool that can help you overcome the fear of learning Chinese. This app focuses on daily life topics. It starts from basic pinyin, so that even if you are a total beginner or have absolutely no background in Chinese, you can still learn with it. What is special is that this app allows you to listen and record your own voice, and to help you check automatically if your pronunciation is correct. It`s a comparatively easy way to measure your pronunciation. The studying process is not boring. Learners are not overwhelmed with information. Lessons are taught in a very precise and careful manner. What`s more, there are many exercises and quizzes to help you consolidate all that you have learned.

Chinese Speaking Apps

Hello Talk

Have you been learning a new language for a while, and feel like it’s time to start practicing and using it? That’s where Hello Talk can help. It is a language exchange app that has over one million users. It’s easy to find natives from China willing to help you practice Chinese.

Key features:

• Voice and Text chat
• Moments, like the group chatroom
• Translation and Transliteration: Translation allows you to read in English what someone typed in Chinese in case you didn’t understand it. You can use the transliteration option when a native speaker writes Chinese to you, to instantly see the pinyin.
• Voice recognition system: You can simply speak and the system will attempt to convert that to text to send to your language partner.

These are my top Chinese language learning apps. I bet you also have your own picks. What would you recommend to fellow Chinese learners? What apps do you think are worth the time and the money? Just comment below and let us know your favorites. Maybe your picks will make this list one day!

The post The Best Chinese Language Learning Apps (2025) appeared first on .

This surge in interest has coincided with a revolution in how we learn languages. Gone are the days of solely relying on textbooks and classrooms. The evolution of language learning technology — from interactive apps to real-time video classes — has not only made learning more accessible but also more engaging and effective.

• The Role of Online Chinese Teachers
• Disadvantages and Advantages of Choosing Online Chinese Teachers
• How to Find The Best Online Teachers

The Role of Online Chinese Teachers

Online Chinese teachers are at the forefront of a transformative era in language education, leveraging the power of digital platforms to enhance the learning experience of Mandarin. These educators employ innovative teaching techniques, making use of interactive software that facilitates engaging, real-time language practice. This approach often includes features like instant pronunciation feedback, gamified learning activities, and personalized learning paths that adapt to the progress of each student.

In addition to interactive software, they extensively utilize multimedia resources such as videos, audio clips, and animations to bring the language to life, often presenting it in practical, real-life scenarios. The use of advanced virtual classroom settings, equipped with tools like digital whiteboards, document sharing, and breakout rooms for group activities, mirrors the interactive environment of traditional classrooms.

Furthermore, the ability of these teachers to create customized lesson plans caters to the individual learning styles, interests, and progress of their students, marking a shift from the one-size-fits-all approach of conventional language education.

Disadvantages and Advantages of Choosing Online Chinese Teachers

Choosing online Chinese teachers, like any educational approach, comes with its own set of challenges alongside unique advantages. Understanding these can help learners make informed decisions and prepare for any obstacles they might encounter.

Disadvantages

1. Time Zone Differences: One of the primary challenges is the time zone difference between the teacher and student. Especially, many Chinese teachers are based in China. This can make scheduling lessons difficult, especially if one party needs to attend classes at inconvenient hours.

2. Internet Connectivity Issues: Reliable internet access is crucial for online learning. Connectivity issues can disrupt classes, hinder communication, and impact the overall learning experience. This is particularly challenging in regions with unstable internet connections.

3. Lack of Physical Interaction: The absence of physical presence can sometimes limit the effectiveness of language learning. Non-verbal cues and body language, important aspects of communication, are harder to convey and interpret through a screen.

4. Cultural Barriers: While online teachers often serve as cultural bridges, nuances and deeper cultural contexts might be harder to grasp in an online setting compared to in-person interactions or immersion in a Chinese-speaking environment.

5. Self-Discipline Required: Online learning requires a higher degree of self-discipline and motivation from students. The absence of a physical classroom environment can lead to distractions and reduced focus.

Advantages

1. Flexibility and Convenience: Online classes offer unparalleled flexibility. Students can learn from anywhere in the world, choosing times that fit their schedules. This convenience is particularly beneficial for busy professionals or students with tight schedules.

2. Access to a Global Pool of Teachers: Online learning opens up access to a vast pool of qualified teachers worldwide, allowing students to find instructors that best match their learning style, level, and interests.

3. Personalized Learning Experience: Many online Chinese teachers offer personalized lesson plans tailored to the individual needs and progress of each student. This contrasts with the one-size-fits-all approach often seen in traditional classroom settings.

4. Variety of Learning Resources: Online learning platforms often provide a wealth of resources, including interactive tools, multimedia content, and diverse learning materials that can cater to different learning styles.

5. Cultural Exchange from Home: Despite the potential for cultural barriers, online learning still offers significant cultural exchange opportunities. Students can learn about Chinese culture, customs, and social norms directly from native speakers, enriching their language learning experience.

6. Cost-Effective: Online classes can be more cost-effective than traditional language courses. They eliminate the need for commuting and often offer more competitive pricing structures.

How to Find The Best Online Teachers

1. Define Your Chinese Learning Goals

Finding the best online Chinese teacher starts with a clear understanding of your personal learning goals. These goals will guide you in selecting a teacher whose expertise aligns perfectly with your needs.

Firstly, consider the purpose of your Chinese learning. Are you learning Chinese for travel, business, cultural interest, or academic reasons? Each purpose requires a different teaching approach.

For travel, you’ll need a focus on conversational skills and common phrases, while business Chinese requires familiarity with formal vocabulary and etiquette. If your interest lies in culture, a teacher who integrates cultural elements into lessons is ideal. For academic learners, a teacher experienced in exam preparation and formal language structures is essential.

Equally important is identifying your current proficiency level in Chinese. This will help you find a teacher who specializes in teaching students at your stage of learning.

Beginners need a teacher skilled in foundational grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, with the patience to address initial challenges. If you’re at an intermediate level, your teacher should help expand your vocabulary and conversational skills, pushing you beyond the basics. Advanced learners require a teacher who can refine their proficiency with a focus on complex grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions.

Understanding your learning objectives and proficiency level ensures that the teacher’s expertise and teaching style align with what you aim to achieve, making your learning experience more targeted and effective.

2. Research and Select Learning Platforms

Begin by focusing on reputable platforms that have established a good track record in online language education. Platforms like iTalki, Preply, and Verbling are popular choices that host a diverse array of language teachers, including those specializing in Chinese.

Additionally, there are websites dedicated solely to teaching Chinese, which can offer more specialized and focused resources, such as Touch Chinese and so forth.

These platforms typically ensure a basic level of quality and reliability, as they vet their teachers and provide a structured teaching environment. It’s important to choose platforms that are well-known for their quality of service and have a robust infrastructure to support online learning. This includes reliable video conferencing tools, interactive learning materials, and a user-friendly interface.

Once you have a list of potential platforms, the next step is to look at the reviews and ratings of the teachers on these sites.

Ratings and reviews from previous students are invaluable in gauging the quality of teaching. High ratings generally indicate effective teaching methods, good communication skills, and a positive overall student experience.

Read through the reviews to get a sense of each teacher’s style, reliability, and ability to engage students. Pay attention to comments about how teachers handle various aspects of language learning, such as grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights.

Remember, a teacher who worked well for one student may not necessarily be the right fit for you, so look for reviews that align with your specific learning goals and preferences. This research will help you narrow down your options to the teachers who are most likely to meet your individual learning needs and preferences.

Here’s a summary of comparison between e-learning platform and online Chinese school.

3. Check Teacher Qualifications

Finding the best online Chinese teachers involves a thorough check of their qualifications, a key aspect that directly impacts the quality of education you receive.

Begin by looking for certifications that specifically pertain to teaching Chinese as a foreign language. One prominent certification to look for is TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages), which indicates that the teacher has received formal training in the methodologies and practices of teaching Chinese to non-native speakers.

Such certifications are a testament to the teacher’s commitment to their profession and their expertise in instructional strategies specifically designed for Chinese language education. Certified teachers are often more adept at handling the unique challenges of language teaching, such as explaining complex grammar structures and guiding pronunciation practice.

In addition to certifications, consider the teacher’s educational background. Teachers who hold a degree in Chinese language, linguistics, or education are often preferable. This formal education equips them with a deeper understanding of the Chinese language, its structure, and its cultural context.

Furthermore, a degree in education or a related field suggests that the teacher has a solid foundation in pedagogical principles, crucial for effective teaching. Teachers with this background are likely to be more skilled in creating comprehensive lesson plans, adapting their teaching methods to different learning styles, and providing a more holistic learning experience.

When a teacher combines professional qualifications with a strong educational background, it significantly enhances the likelihood of a high-quality learning experience for their students.

4. Experience Matters

A key to finding the best online Chinese teachers is to assess their experience, as it often correlates with the effectiveness of their teaching methods and their ability to cater to diverse student needs.

Experienced teachers, having spent considerable time in the field, are likely to have honed their teaching methods, developed effective strategies for language instruction, and acquired a deeper understanding of the challenges learners face at different stages. They bring a wealth of practical knowledge to their teaching, which can be invaluable in helping students overcome common hurdles in language learning.

Moreover, seasoned teachers often have a repertoire of teaching styles and techniques at their disposal, allowing them to adapt their approach to suit individual learning preferences and needs.

When considering a teacher’s experience, it’s also important to look at their experience with specific demographics or learning requirements that align with your own goals.

For instance, if you are learning Chinese for business purposes, a teacher who has experience teaching business Chinese would be ideal. They would be familiar with the specific vocabulary, formal language structures, and cultural nuances relevant to the corporate world.

Similarly, if you’re seeking Chinese lessons for children, a teacher experienced in early language education would be preferable, as they would understand how to engage young learners and make learning enjoyable and effective for them.

Teachers who have specialized experience are more likely to provide lessons that are not just linguistically accurate but also contextually relevant, enhancing the overall learning experience.

5. Trial Lessons

Don’t miss the advantage of trial lessons, a feature many online learning platforms offer.

These trial classes are a valuable opportunity to directly assess various aspects of a teacher’s approach before committing to a regular schedule.

During these sessions, you can evaluate the teacher’s teaching style, communication skills, and compatibility with your learning preferences.

Observe how they present the material: Is it engaging and well-structured? Does the teacher use interactive tools and methods that resonate with your learning style? This initial interaction is crucial to determine whether the teacher’s approach aligns with how you learn best.

Equally important is to pay attention to the teacher’s interaction style during these trial lessons.

A good language teacher should not only be knowledgeable but also patient, encouraging, and adept at creating a supportive learning environment.

Notice how they handle corrections and mistakes; an effective teacher will correct errors constructively, ensuring that you understand and learn from them. Their ability to provide feedback in a positive, encouraging manner can significantly impact your motivation and confidence in learning the language.

These trial classes give you a glimpse into what your future learning experience will be like, helping you make an informed decision about whether or not to continue with that particular teacher.

6. Teaching Style and Materials

A key attribute of a great teacher is their ability to adapt their teaching methods to match the student’s individual learning style and pace.

This adaptability ensures that the learning process is tailored to your specific needs, making it more efficient and enjoyable.

Pay attention to how the teacher adjusts their approach based on your feedback, questions, and performance in class. Do they offer different strategies to explain difficult concepts? Are they responsive to your learning preferences, whether you are a visual learner, an auditory learner, or someone who learns best through practice and repetition?

An adaptable teacher can significantly enhance your learning experience by making complex concepts more accessible and the learning process more aligned with your personal learning rhythm.

In addition to teaching style, the quality of learning materials and resources provided by the teacher is crucial. High-quality materials contribute significantly to your understanding and retention of the language.

Check whether the teacher uses comprehensive and up-to-date resources, including textbooks, workbooks, multimedia content, and practical exercises.

These materials should not only cover the linguistic aspects of the language but also incorporate cultural elements, providing a well-rounded learning experience. Well-structured and engaging materials can make the learning process more effective and enjoyable.

A teacher who invests in providing quality resources shows a commitment to their students’ learning progress and success.

7. Flexibility and Availability

The ability to align schedules, especially when dealing with potential time zone differences, is essential for a smooth and stress-free learning experience.

Before committing to a teacher, make sure their available hours match your preferred learning times. This compatibility is vital to maintain a consistent learning routine, which is key for effective language acquisition.

If you are in a different time zone than the teacher, verify that they can accommodate lessons at times that are convenient for you.

Additionally, understanding a teacher’s cancellation and rescheduling policies is crucial.

Life is unpredictable, and there may be times when you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson.

Check the teacher’s policies on this matter to avoid any misunderstandings or inconveniences in the future. Are their policies flexible enough to accommodate last-minute changes? What are the conditions or penalties, if any, for cancellations or rescheduling?

A teacher with a fair and understanding approach to rescheduling shows a level of professionalism and respect for your time and commitments.

8. Cost

It’s important to compare prices across various teachers and platforms to find an option that fits within your budget.

However, it’s crucial to remember that the most expensive option isn’t necessarily the best. High fees don’t always guarantee superior teaching quality, just as extremely low prices might be indicative of inexperienced or less qualified teachers.

The key is to find a middle ground where the cost reflects the teacher’s qualifications, experience, and the quality of instruction you will receive.

In addition to the cost of lessons, it’s important to understand the payment terms set by the teacher or the platform.

Are the terms clear, straightforward, and reasonable? Check for details regarding payment frequency – whether it’s per lesson, monthly, or in a package format. Also, be aware of any additional costs, such as materials or subscription fees, which might not be included in the lesson price.

By carefully considering both the cost and the payment terms, you can ensure that your investment in learning Chinese is both sensible and sustainable.

9. Continuous Assessment on Your Chinese Learning Progress

A proficient teacher should not only impart knowledge but also provide regular, constructive feedback on your progress.

This feedback is essential for understanding your strengths and areas that need improvement. It should be specific, actionable, and encouraging, aimed at guiding your learning journey rather than just evaluating your performance. Regular feedback helps in maintaining your motivation and focus, ensuring that you are on the right track towards achieving your language learning goals.

Equally important is the teacher’s ability to track your progress over time. This involves monitoring your development in various aspects of the language, such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and conversational skills.

A good teacher will use this information to adapt future lessons to your evolving needs, ensuring that the instruction remains relevant and challenging as you advance.

This adaptability is key to a personalized learning experience, where lessons are tailored to address your specific weaknesses and build on your strengths.

Bonus Tip: Actively Engage with Online Chinese Language Communities

These communities can be found on various platforms, including language learning forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites for Chinese learners.

Members of these communities often share their experiences with different teachers and platforms, providing insights that you might not find through simple online searches. These personal recommendations can guide you towards teachers who have proven effective for other learners with similar goals and learning styles as yours.

Furthermore, these online communities can be a rich source of additional learning materials, tips, and strategies for learning Chinese.

Additionally, being part of such a community keeps you connected and motivated in your language learning journey. It’s a space where you can share your own progress and challenges, receiving support and encouragement from those who understand the nuances of learning Chinese.

DigMandarin is also one of the places that you can learn and share simultaneously.

Conclusion

Finding the best online Chinese teachers involves a series of thoughtful steps that, when followed diligently, can lead to a rewarding and effective language learning experience.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can explore the vast landscape of online Chinese learning with confidence, ensuring that you find a teacher who not only meets your linguistic needs but also enriches your understanding of Chinese culture.

Remember, the right teacher can transform your language learning experience, opening doors to new opportunities and deeper cultural connections. It is as much about connecting with a guide who understands your learning style as it is about their expertise in the Chinese language.

As you start this exciting journey, embrace the diversity and possibilities that online learning offers. Happy learning!

The post A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Online Chinese Teachers appeared first on .

Don’t give up, though! Though it will take time, success at Mandarin CAN by attained, and is well worth the effort. And, if you study the right way, it really isn’t too painful either. As someone who moved to China only a couple months ago (and is still hard at work on my own 普通话), I just wanted to share a couple techniques that have helped me learn this practical, logical (when it isn’t crazy!), and rewarding language.

#1: Set Clear, Quantifiable Goals

Why are you learning Mandarin? What are you hoping to gain from learning Mandarin? Do you need to know how to write every character, or are you just hoping to read, speak, and understand them? Are you aiming for classical fluency, or simply being able to have a conversation? Asking yourself these questions before starting your learning will help guide the direction of your study, as well as keep you motivated when (inevitably) learning gets frustrating.

It is also important to set the right goals. Good goals are quantifiable (e.g. are clearly able to measure). Instead of simply “trying to get good at Mandarin” – which is impossible to quantify or truly accomplish – how about aiming to learn 5 new characters a day? You’ll never know if you got the first goal done, but if you do the second goal consistently, you’ll have learned over 1,800 words in a year! A good mix of short and long term goals can help you remind you of your progress, and keep you on track.

#2: Study Mandarin Every Day

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” might not be the first thing you think of when you think of learning Mandarin, but it applies more aptly to language learning than you might imagine. In order for your brain to wrap its head around all the new sounds and ideas you’re throwing at it, it needs to be exposed to it frequently – even if it’s not for a very long amount of time.   It’s been proven that studying 20 minutes a day of a language leads to much better results than studying it once or twice a week for 2-3 hours. Set a routine and stick to it. It’s a lot easier to set aside 20-30 minutes a day than it is to try to squeeze in a couple hours randomly, anyway.   Establishing a routine will encourage you to focus!

#3: Speak (Out Loud)!

While every Mandarin learner has a different learning style, Mandarin is a tonal language, which makes the meaning of each word change depending on the inflection with which it is spoken. Mandarin has four main tones, and to put it simply, if you don’t know a word’s tone, you don’t know the word! For example, “mǎi” means “to buy,” while “mài” means “to sell” – mixing those up could make your Chinese very confusing to a listener.

Because tones are sound, they are much more easily remembered when one hears them out loud by speaking them, rather than simply reading them off a page. Doing this, along with practicing with a native speaker or audio tapes, will help you learn and be able to use the tones much more quickly than simply trying to memorize them off a page. If you’re a really kinesthetic learner, you might even find it useful to “draw” the tones with your finger in the air while you speak them aloud – whatever helps you remember!

#4: Use Digital Flashcards (with a timer)

            If your goals include the ability to read Chinese characters (something I’d highly recommend), then there’s no way around it: you’re going to be using a lot of flashcards to keep track of the thousands of words you’ll want to learn. For my first couple months of learning Mandarin, I hand-made paper flashcards, which worked, but was very time-consuming, and I didn’t really feel like I needed to be able to write the characters by hand. Furthermore, it was frustrating to occasionally find myself with 5-10 minutes to spare, and want to practice, but not have my flashcards nearby.

Due to these reasons, I’d highly suggest making digital flashcards. Making each card takes much less time, and many websites let you sync the flashcards to your phone, enabling you to study whenever and wherever you’d like. There are a number of both free and paid applications for doing this (Google “flashcard online,” or search on your phone’s App store), all of whom have different specialties. My favorite has been Repetitions ($6 and iOS compatible), which lets me create, study, and sync words across all my devices. It also keeps track of which words I’m consistently not getting right, and shows me those words more frequently.

Regardless of whether you go with paper or digital flashcards, when studying Mandarin, I’d certainly recommend that you force yourself to move quickly and not spend too much time on each card. Staring at a card for two minutes is much more likely to cause your focus to drift than it is to suddenly cause you to remember what that word means.   To keep myself focused, I use a repeating countdown timer set to beep every 8 seconds, and force myself to answer the card before each beep. If I get the card wrong, it goes to the back of the deck, and I keep moving until I’ve cleared every card. You can obviously choose what length of time you’re comfortable with, but I’d highly recommend doing this to learn as efficiently as possible. A great free online countdown timer can be found here.

Above all else, just keep studying, and your Mandarin will improve. Don’t get frustrated by the enormity of the task of learning a new language. Break it down into smaller, quantifiable pieces, and accomplish one or two of those pieces every day. Speak your words out loud, and keep track of all the words you’re learning digitally. Soon, you’ll be a master Mandarin speaker!

The post The 4 Best Ways to Learn Mandarin Faster appeared first on .

Alipay(zhi fu bao) is one of the most widely accepted forms of payment here in China. Even taxi drivers typically accept Alipay, including ones who won’t take bank cards! It can be used both in person at a vast majority of establishments (any place that shows it’s blue and orange logo, labeled “Alipay” or in Chinese below), as well as online – either to pay for food at sites like Ele.me or waimaichaoren, to pay for your recent TaoBao adventures (see above), or simply to send money to friends. Furthermore, once you have an account, you can set up Alipay’s mobile app to do all of this on the go, by just showing your phone! It’s essentially China’s Paypal, and can make life in China a lot more convenient, but setting it up as a foreigner can be a little tricky. We’ll show you how.

Step 1: Gather all the information you need

• Have pitcures of your passport and your current visa page ready
• Have all your bank account information ready, and your bank card info
• Make sure your bank has been enabled for online payments (at ICBC, for instance, they will give you a little USB dongle to validate your online payments)
• Have up-to-date text updates from your bank.
• IMPORTANT: Know the exact spelling of your name on your bank account. Failure to input this exactly will likely result in you being unable to verify your identity with Alipay, which will limit your Alipay account’s functionality.
• Also, to be safe, turn your VPN off before continuing.

Step 2: Register an Account

• If you already have an Alipay account, log in with the blue button on the photo below, and skip to step 3. If not, read on.
• Unless you have a Chinese phone (and even if you do), we recommend you sign up with an email address instead of a phone number. It’s less confusing overall, and prevents the possibility of your international phone number not being able to receive the text with the verification PIN code. Use the link in blue at the bottom to do this.
• Finally, fill out your information according to the below photograph.  Use your individual nationality, not the nationality of your phone.  We’d recommend NOT using a @gmail account, as it will be difficult for you to log on to Gmail without your VPN on.
• Use of an Alipay account (even one through your email) still requires you to have an active phone.  To associate a phone number with your new account, click the tab circled in red to use one from China’s mainland.
• Type in your phone number, and then click the tab as shown. 
• You’ll receive a text from 95188.  Input that code in the “PIN Code” section below, and push the orange button to continue in the progress.
• Finally, you’ll receive an email from Alipay with a confirmation link.  Push the orange button in the link they sent you, and you’ll be on to the last step to complete your account!

Step 3: Complete Your Account Details

• Don’t get too excited yet! Alipay still needs to know a bit more about you before you can start using it. Log in to your new account, or simply click the orange button in the email they sent you at the end of Step 2 above.
• You’ll end up on the following page.   Click on the right-most tab shown in the photo below (unless you have a Chinese ID number, in which case, use the page that opened up initially).
• You’ll end up at the next page.  Fill it out according to the below photograph.  A couple reminders:  Be sure to use your REAL name when setting this up, listed exactly as it is on your passport and bank account!  Select “passport” for ID type, and enter your Sex.  For occupation, just choose “Other” in the menu.  Finally, don’t forget your 6 digit payment pin!  This is what you’ll use every time you check out on Alipay.
• Once you have it all listed, along with your Chinese address, push the orange button to finish creating your new Alipay account!
• If you see the below screen, congrats!  You now have an Alipay account.

Step 4: Verify Your Alipay Account

• Though creating your account is now ready to use for TaoBao and some other online endeavors, to take full advantage of Alipay’s functionality (like sending money to other people, and using your phone to use Alipay at businesses), you’ll need to verify your Alipay account. This part is a little tricky, but we’ll make it as easy as possible for you!
• Start by logging into your Alipay account with your email and password. Once logged in, click the links shown in the following two photos:
• Directly under the Orange/Yellow button that comes up, click on the third small link closest to the center to access the “Foreigner” verification portal.  You can see it below.  (If you have a Chinese ID, you can simply use the big orange button).
• On the following page, be VERY careful!  Fill it out, once again using the name listed on your bank account EXACTLY.  This includes any spaces and is case sensitive.  Banks love using all capital letters, and if you don’t, you’ll have to wait a couple days and start over.
• Upload your photos of passport and VISA. They don’t have to be scanned (phone photos are OK), but they should be clear enough to read everything. Finally, the phone number you use must also be the one linked to your bank account (and set up for text message alerts, as said in Step 1).
• On the next page, choose the name of your bank from the drop down list, and then the city where the account was OPENED. Not necessarily the city you currently live! After entering your card number in the final box, click the orange button to continue. You’ll see the following confirmation page:
• Check one more time that everything is correct, and push the orange button!
• If a page comes up with a red x, something went wrong. It might have been an issue with the name (in wrong order, or CAPS wasn’t on, etc. Click on the blue link to restart the process. 7 days later, you will be able to try the process once again.
• If a page comes up with a green check mark, congrats! Alipay will transfer to your bank card some amount under 1 RMB to make sure your bank account exists, and all you have to do is return to the page once you receive text confirmation with the amount of the transfer, input the amount, and you’ll be verified! You can see the details of what this looks like below. (If you don’t see this page, but received the transfer amount, wait a couple minutes and try again. This page won’t appear until the transfer has gone through – it might take a day or two).
• One random tip: make sure you input a “0” in front of the decimal when inputting the amount. E.g. if they sent you .23 Yuan, be sure to input “0.23” Yuan into the box! Push the orange button once you’ve finished this. When the following page comes up, congratulations – you’re verified!

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Here are some factors should be considered before choosing Chinese translation services:

1. General Information & Easy Contact

It’s important to visit the website of the company you’re considering to hire for Chinese translation services to learn if they have the proper information regarding their company. How does their process work? Do they provide a quote form that is easily understood and can you contact customer services with ease to discuss your needs further? If you have a hard time getting someone on the line to speak to or do not hear back after submitting their contact form within 24 hours they likely won’t be an ideal fit.

2. Professionalism

As with any business, a translation service should point out the pros of using their services and detail the different factors that make them unique and preferred. Research their company’s mission and values to see if it lines up with your own. You might also consider asking a few certain questions when you contact them including:

• What industries do they cover?
• What area(s) do they specialize in?
• Is the company local, an individual or do they have a large network?
• Is Chinese the only language they translate?
• How does their quality control process work?
• What is the average delivery time?
• What project types do they support? (i.e., app or software localization, document or website translation, etc.)

3. Sample the Deliverables First

Before you make the leap and make a final decision on a particular Chinese translation service provider, request a sample of their work. If they are a professional company they will have samples on hand to provide of past translation projects. Or, you could request a ‘test’ by submitting your project and reviewing the results to see if it matches up to what you need. If you need help with ‘verifying’ their work ask someone you know or contact our DigMandarin contributors(send to digmandarin at gmail).

4. Pricing

You should know what you’re expected to pay prior to choosing a service. The average for Chinese translation services ranges anywhere from $0.07 to $0. 15 US dollor. You will also want to keep in mind the varying factors that could alter the cost like how long it takes to deliver work, before making a final decision. Compare the costs for the services you have found to see which one suits your needs better. Always get a bottom line quote for services.

Last Words

By taking these tips into consideration when searching for the ideal Chinese translation service provider you are going to end up with a company best suited for your needs. If you have already endured some outstanding services, we encourage you to share them with us. We can verify the services before updating this post to include your recommendations.

Recommendations:

One Hour Translation

The post How to Find the Right Chinese Translation Services appeared first on .

However, people are exploring various measures to gain access to these websites and overcome these Internet obstacles in China. You can bypass the Great Firewall and can continue browsing your favorite social networking websites in China by making use of Virtual Private Network, better known as VPN. A VPN will hide your IP address and the device you are browsing from would be visible as a device located in USA or Japan rather than your own country, i.e. China.

When a VPN is used, the security firewall of the server is bypassed and you should be able to access any website. However, the firewall of China has blocked several VPNs and hence, you must be careful about the VPN you choose.

Review of China VPN

We ourselves are VPN users that have experiences with multitudes of VPN. Our team was engaged in the extensive testing of several VPNs across various devices since the past few months and here are some of the findings.

Why should you not go for a free VPN?

• Your user information is saved to display relevant ads based on your browsing history.
• Your privacy might not be ensured.
• Safety and security remains a concern.
• Due to free usage, more number of users, thereby reducing the bandwidth and speed.
• Unstable, would not assure you of a seamless browsing.

Cost

Although there are various pricing options offered by various companies, it is best recommended that you choose a plan based on your budget. But, you should make sure not compromise on the security features of a VPN and also consider the speed and reliability factor of the VPN.

Also, it is better that you choose VPNs that come with a money-back guarantee or give a free trial in the start. With a free trial period in the start, you would get to know about the quality of service that they provide, the security and speed offered and the websites you would be able to browse using the VPN.

When you purchase a VPN, make sure that the purchase is made prior to entering China and set the VPN up before you enter China. If you face any problem on accessing the VPN after entering China, you would not be able to contact the VPNs either, as they might be blocked by the Firewall.

Our team have tested all the popular VPNs that can be used in China and finally, we recommend the following VPNs that can be used in China.

• ExpressVPN

The post Accessing Facebook and YouTube all over China using VPN appeared first on .

Download PDF Version

Email Expressions

Promise Expressions

Expectation Expressions

Asking for Discount Expressions

Download PDF Version

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Audio lessons – ChinesePod

You can get the podcast called ChinesePod, which comes in handy, providing lots of lessons for your level of study, (whether you are a newbie, intermediate or advanced learner). If you are new to this, don’t fret at all; you can take advantage of the sample lessons to explore what each package offers before choosing the proper subscription of the packages available.

Through this podcast, beginners have access to lots of free learning resources. Here is a list of some of the benefits that comes with using ChinesePod in taking online Mandarin lessons.

• Access to downloadable MP3 format lessons, which you can listen to on the go using your favourite MP3 player or smartphone.
• Access to more than thousands lessons (you can add as many as you want). Listening to lessons will keep you always interested.
• A variety of topics including work related, directional, social, technology, handling private issues, and tons more.
• There is system provision that allows you to store flashcards on key vocabulary. Adding new vocabulary is very easy, and the flashcard review system is equally simple.
• Access to several exercises and supplemental examples –you will have further review material and questions prepared to help test your vocabulary in audio format.

Besides Chinesepod, we also have a review on top 5 Mandarin Chinese learning podcasts.

Video lessons: – Udemy

As interesting as online Mandarin lessons can be, they can be difficult to comprehend. This comprehension issue is one of the challenges that the Udemy videos will help to solve. Udemy videos will make your Chinese learning all fun and easy. It is very important to have clarity of the material in order to get the best out of this language learning process.

I believe learners who want the best content quality will not be disappointed in what the Udemy Video lessons has to offers. I can say this because all video content uploaded for the online learning purpose is first passed through the Udemy course quality assurance team for review and quality assurance.

Udemy’s quality assurance allows them to make a great and interesting experience to student taking the online Mandarin lessons. Most of online Mandarin lessons of Udemy’s require you to pay for each course. However, there are free video contents, which you can enjoy at no cost.

Based on the pricing system of video contents (decided by individual instructors), great videos from the video streaming platform, such as Udemy will vary in price. The course lengths also vary, since different instructors teach each course. Most courses are over 30 minutes but some will only last for about 30 minutes.

(PS: DigMandarin launched a video course channel recently and more lessons is coming soon)

Skype Lessons

In order to effectively learn any language, speaking with native speakers of that language is of great importance. This is why I agree that using the Skype platform to take online Mandarin lessons is a great idea. The benefits do not end in availability of variety of course, but also extends to the fact that the courses can be individualised to suit the need of the student. Courses are usually structured to be a one-on-one live instruction. No matter where you are, or whether you are using your computer or a web-enabled smartphone (in the absence of a computer), you will enjoy effective communication (with instant feedback) with your teacher during the instruction.

Last Words

With these three methods of Mandarin Lesson online, you cannot only pick up Chinese wherever you live but an individualized plan that works in your daily life. Research and take a look at these three ways of learning any language, you will be speaking Chinese in no time. Till next time, good luck on your Chinese studies and keep learning!

The post Mandarin Lessons Online: 3 Ways can be Enjoyed with High Quality appeared first on .

1. Internet Connection

Learning from a quality instructor is easy in a quiet classroom environment. What if you had static in your ears, words cutting out or not being able to see what was being taught? Make sure you have an adequate internet connection on your Skype Chinese lessons that’s reliable so you won’t miss any part of your classes due to a dropped call.

2. Free Trial Class

What you’re obviously looking for is the quality of the class, the professionalism of the teacher; their experience, education majors, etc. What is the teaching method the instructor uses along with their preferred style? When you satisfactorily pass the class and the teacher’s expectations, will the teacher commit to working with you on regular classes? You should also check to see if there is a study plan to follow after your trial class is completed.

3. Booking Policy

You should check to see how long you can book the Skype Chinese lessons for in total. Also, how many hours in advance you will have to cancel or reschedule the class without a penalty being applied.

4. Flexibility

Many of us lead busy lives with work, family and fun. What is the time you’re willing to commit to doing this? Sometimes you might have a completely open schedule while others will leave you just enough time to look at the lesson and when your work is due. Be certain to check the class information to see if there are weekly or monthly minimum participation requirements you must meet for satisfaction of the class.

5. Validation

How long do you have to complete the Skype Chinese lessons? A month, a year, or no validation at all. It’s up to you to choose the frequency for each week that you want to participate at.

6. Good Support

Should it be all about the classroom? No, if there are concerns or questions about the certification or if a technical issue occurred, how are you going to get those questions answered. A support team behind the class to help you is key for a good learning experience.

7. Refund policy

Sometimes things happen and you’re not able to commit to the class schedule as you planned, emergencies or work or life can conspire to get in the way and having the option to cancel and receive a refund or credit applied to a future class is something you should know in advance in case you need to cancel and not be surprised with non-refundable fees or charges.

8. What is your goal?

Everyone knows there can be a difference between ‘classroom language’ and ‘street language’. Are you interested in a formal education with an instructor that will walk you through every detail and nuance of the Chinese language? Do you only need a native speaker to coach you through practicing your spoken Chinese for an acting part or Firefly convention? The costs and time involved obviously are different so knowing how much you need to or want to learn is important.

9. Costs

What are you paying for the time in class or with a speaker? On average you should expect a class to be between $15 and $25 dollars. This should also be adjusted by the factors mentioned above that you should take into consideration.

Some of online Chinese schools by Skype:

• TouchChinese
• AllMandarin

If you have any other suggestion for having Skype Chinese lessons, just leave your comment below.

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