It has been said many times that Chinese is one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn and master, but perhaps that is the answer to a question we shouldn’t be asking ourselves. Instead of focusing on the difficulties associated with learning Chinese, I think it’s more productive to ask two very different questions.
1. Why do Chinese learners fail?
The number one reason people fail is because they don’t plan. Most people start studying a language using a particular program, and very often the language program they choose is a book and a CD. They put absolute trust in the program and are not responsible for their learning. They don’t set goals, test themselves, or create an overall plan because they trust the program to do it for them.
One fact that is rarely taken into account about book and CD language programs is that they are not designed to give you fluency. Even if you follow his instructions perfectly and finish all the lessons, you won’t speak well.. This is a revelation for most people.
Whichever program you choose, you must take responsibility for your own language learning and understand from the start that you will need to go beyond program requirements to achieve creative and spontaneous fluency. In practice, this means that you have to make time to speak with a native Chinese speaker.
2. What do successful Chinese learners have in common?
All successful Chinese learners have at least one thing in common: they regularly practice speaking Chinese with a native speaker. This is the bottom line and the truth you need to hear. It is impossible to become fluent in Chinese without regularly speaking, making mistakes and correcting them. Chinese learners are especially vulnerable when they don’t speak, because Chinese is not only a tonal language, it contains a number of sounds that English does not.
If you’re worried because you live in a place where there aren’t many Chinese speakers, fear not. There are a number of services available on the internet now that bring language learners together so they can help each other. It’s called a “language exchange.” You can give a short English lesson and a native Chinese speaker will help you with pronunciation and grammar. Before long, you will find that you are chatting very comfortably – in Chinese!
Whether online or in person somewhere in Asia, all successful Chinese learners have gone through this process. Make sure you find the courage and the opportunity to start talking, as soon as possible.
Many of those who begin to study Chinese will fail. It’s not because Chinese is an inherently difficult language to learn, and it’s not because these people are weak or unintelligent. Anyone can learn Chinese, but some people don’t prepare or take the right steps to ensure they follow through. Make sure you are one of the Chinese learners who will make it by planning for your success and speaking as much as possible.