Three Mistakes in Learning Chinese

Lin Ping, the developer of Rocket Chinese, recognizes that there are three mistakes beginners commonly make when learning Chinese. These key mistakes are centered on memorizing the Chinese vocabulary. Lin Ping sets out to explain how to correct these mistakes so that frustration or even quitting doesn’t set in.

You are definitely not “too old” to learn the Chinese language. Neither are you “lacking in intelligence”, either. It is a myth that people lose their ability to master a new language when they get past, say, six years old! Your brain is well-equipped to absorb it all, whether you’re 5 or 75. Let’s look at the key mistakes people make:

Rocket Chinese Mistake #1

Trying to memorize too many new Chinese words at once. Yes, your brain is equipped to absorb all the Chinese vocabulary you need. But, that doesn’t mean you can master Chinese in a couple of weeks! The average human brain’s memory can memorize and retain about seven new things from a group at one time. And those who are exceptionally bright can add one or two more things at a time, but usually, that’s it. Rather, many people try to memorize whole strings of Chinese words during their day’s or week’s practice, and find they cannot.

The memory trick to use? Limit yourself to learning just seven new Chinese words each time-. This amounts to an average of one new word per day. Then, once you have those seven well-memorized, move on and add yet another group of seven similar words. And, make each group meaningful-that is, the words within the group should interrelate. You’ll be amazed at your progress!

Rocket Chinese Mistake #2

Not using mnemonics. People with great memories inevitably use mnemonics. That is, rather than trying to “photographically memorize” words cold, they put them into contexts. This makes them much more easily memorized.

For example, they may sing the words, make up sentences, even absurd sentences, if that helps! Or, they might doodle a little drawing that they associate with each new word.

Rocket Chinese Mistake #3

Not using it, and thus, losing it. Did you know that even your native language vocabulary will deteriorate over time if you don’t use it constantly? This applies even more so to a foreign language. Once you have some Chinese memorized, keep using it. Watch movies in Chinese without subtitles. Try to read poetry in Chinese. Go to Chinese restaurants and order in Chinese. Even better is conversing with another person.

Seven Tips for Learning Chinese

Rocket Chinese language course developer, Lin Ping, says that if students of Chinese follow seven important tips, they will have no problem learning, and eventually mastering, the Chinese language. Using these seven Rocket Chinese tips from Lin Ping can help you make the Rocket Chinese course much more enjoyable, less frustrating, and more helpful. Not only will you learn faster, you’ll retain the Chinese vocabulary better as you progress.

Rocket Chinese Tip #1
Instead of trying to put in long hours of practice at random times, set a schedule for two 15-minute sessions each and every day. The shorter sessions enable you to focus more intensely, rather than trying to utilize a marathon-learning method that wears out your brain. Further, these regularly-scheduled short sessions help you avoid the mistake of trying to learn too many new words at one time-which, of course, is the ultimate in frustration. Finally, daily consistency is the key to long-term mastery of Chinese.

Rocket Chinese Tip #2
Remember the five “Ps” of learning any new language:
1. Picture yourself succeeding.
2. Plan your study times.
3. Practice regularly.
4. Prioritize your study.
5. And most importantly … Play!
By making the five “Ps” part of your language learning, you will certainly succeed.

Rocket Chinese Tip #3
Always add on to what you already know. For example, if you know the Chinese word for “water”, a logical pattern is to learn other similarly-grouped Chinese words, such as “lake”, “river”, “stream”, and “drink”. By adding on to your vocabulary in this way, you enhance words’ meanings, thus memorizing them more easily and thoroughly.

Rocket Chinese Tip #4
Keep yourself motivated by reminding yourself of your reasons for wanting to learn Chinese originally. Tell yourself that you won’t let yourself fail in your purpose, even if there are some frustrating times. After all, persistence is the key to all success!

Rocket Chinese Tip #5
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—plenty of them! Children learn and retain new languages faster and better than most adults because they are unafraid to play with, test, and make mistakes along the way. Have you ever listened to a child constantly misuse words in his native language as he learns? He is simply unafraid. Let’s follow his example!

Rocket Chinese Tip #6
Utilize the immersion technique: Study about the Chinese culture, its’ food and history. Read the writings of Lao-tzu, who authored the Tao Te Ching, and the writings of Master Kung. Get deep into the Chinese culture and the language will come.

Rocket Chinese Tip #7
Use mnemonic memory tricks. This means putting your new words in a meaningful context. You might write out sentences that encompass every new word, or doodle an image for each one, etc.

Now you have learned seven of the most important memory tricks for learning Chinese!