Time Required to Acquire Proficiency in the Chinese Language

Learning a language that differs so much from your native one can be a difficult but rewarding task. Language acquisition depends on many things, such as the dissimilarity between your native and target language, your determination and study method, your goal, and your aptitude for linguistic training. Whatever your reason for learning Chinese may be, bear in mind that, as with any task, it will take time and commitment.

How to Learn Mandarin Chinese

You should know some things before embarking on a journey to learn Chinese. First, Mandarin Chinese has a larger number of speakers compared to Cantonese, its counterpart, and will likely be your option. Second, some researchers did the math and estimated that you would need around 2000 to 4000 hours to become fluent. It does sound overwhelming, but the time required is only partially up to statistics!

Where to Start Learning Mandarin Chinese

Whatever your goal of learning Chinese may be, a well-defined strategy will help you acquire Chinese successfully and more efficiently. Here are some general steps you should follow:

1. Set your goals. Once your objectives are clearly set, the task of learning Chinese will become much easier and more tangible!
2. Make your study plan. When making your study plan, take into account your strengths and weaknesses and consider a study method that works best for you. If you are primarily a visual learner, make sure that you have visual cues that will help you in your journey. Whatever your approach is, make sure it is suitable for you.
3. Take action. If you are finding it hard to start, a useful approach might be signing up for Chinese online classes. Taking private classes with a Chinese teacher on LiveXP is an excellent way to succeed, as it will provide you with the opportunity to dive deeper into the language and practice speaking. However, even if you decide to learn Chinese on your own, you’ll definitely need to practice a lot.

How to Become Fluent in Mandarin Chinese

Now that you have an idea of how to begin let’s talk about the actual learning process. Beginners are recommended to get familiarized with the Pinyin system as they are acquiring the basic vocabulary. At this stage, you should also be more focused on listening and speaking, especially because Chinese is a tonal language.

Once you are familiar with the basics, you can proceed with a more complex vocabulary that will enable you to express your thoughts and feelings. At the intermediate and advanced levels, you should also add writing and reading exercises as part of your linguistic practice.

Useful Tips

1. Review and repeat what you have learned. Take advantage of the numerous language learning apps that enable you to study wherever you are.
2. Try to create a stimulating environment to help you with the passive acquisition of language skills. For example, you can listen to Chinese music and podcasts or watch Chinese shows as you clean or cook are some examples of this kind of learning. Being immersed in a language in such a way will train your brain to become familiar and comfortable with this new language.
3. Don’t forget to speak. This might be the most crucial component of your training, as the primary function of language is communication. If you are already in a Chinese-speaking environment, make sure to use that opportunity. If you are not, do a little research and see if there are any language cafes or speaking classes in your area that will enable you to put into practice what you have learned.
4. It’s better to get help in learning Chinese. You can learn some basics on your own, of course. But it’s a too complicated task to become fluent in Chinese without any help from tutors. LiveXP platform offers you more than 250 Chinese tutors for your choice for individual classes online. During the lessons, a teacher can determine your weaknesses in language skills and create an individual learning plan to reach your goals. LiveXP is the best option as it provides you with a place for online lessons, flexibility in your schedule, and access to all languages and tutors on the platform. You can also choose a tutor based on similar interests and hobbies to make the lessons more interesting and interactive. All goals can be achieved from the comfort of your home!

Conclusion

Now that you have a more realistic view of the period needed to learn Chinese, you can evaluate your own goals and ideas and make a plan that will ensure your language acquisition is efficient but also enjoyable!