How to Learn Chinese: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Conversational Fluency

You might have come across enticing promises like “Learn Chinese in 5 minutes a day” or “Speak Chinese like a native in 8 weeks”. While these headlines are attention-grabbing, they often fall short of reality. Learning Chinese to a conversational level requires a realistic approach and consistent effort. This guide provides a practical formula to achieve conversational fluency in Chinese within a reasonable timeframe, even without living in China. This method is based on proven language learning strategies, similar to those used for mastering French and Spanish.

Here’s what we will explore in this article:

• Understanding the realistic timeline for learning Mandarin Chinese.
• A detailed, step-by-step plan to reach conversational fluency in 2 years.
• Tips for selecting the most effective learning resources.
• A customizable system that you can adapt to your lifestyle and Chinese learning objectives.

Defining Conversational Fluency in Mandarin Chinese

It’s important to clarify that conversational fluency is distinct from native-level proficiency. The goal here is to achieve a comfortable and natural level of communication, which means:

• Engaging in conversations at a natural pace.
• Rarely pausing to search for words.
• Making occasional mistakes that do not hinder understanding.
• Being able to work or study in Chinese (though specialized vocabulary might be needed, and native-level proficiency may be required for fields like law).

In essence, conversational fluency is about having relaxed and effortless conversations, both for the speaker and the listener.

Estimating the Time to Conversational Fluency in Mandarin Chinese

Thinking about language learning in months or years can be misleading. Consider two individuals embarking on their Mandarin Chinese journey:

• Person A dedicates 10 hours daily to studying Mandarin.
• Person B studies for 30 minutes each day.

Both approaches can be effective depending on individual circumstances. However, the time in months or years to reach conversational fluency will significantly differ. It’s more insightful to measure progress in terms of total study hours.

Let’s examine experiences from successful Chinese learners:

Steve Kaufmann, a renowned polyglot, mentioned in a forum discussion titled “How long does it take to get fluent in Chinese” that he achieved Mandarin fluency in approximately 9 months, studying 6-7 hours daily, totaling around 1644-1918 hours.

Ruby Ronin, a language blogger, detailed her journey to Mandarin Chinese fluency in 6 months of full immersion on her blog, “How I Became Fluent In Mandarin In 6 Months”. While the exact hours are not specified, her intensive immersion likely amounted to around 1830 hours (estimated at 10 hours a day).

Judith Meyer, another accomplished polyglot, shared in her talk at the Polyglot Gathering that it took her about 1500 hours to reach an advanced level in Mandarin Chinese.

Based on these accounts, it’s reasonable to estimate that reaching conversational comfort in Mandarin Chinese requires approximately 1500-2000 hours of dedicated study.

Currently, I possess a basic conversational level in Mandarin. I can manage simple conversations, but sentence construction is slow, and communication isn’t entirely smooth. This level has taken me several hundred hours of intermittent study. With a head start, I anticipate needing up to 1500 hours to achieve conversational fluency. Studying consistently for 2-3 hours per day, allowing for breaks, points towards a roughly 2-year timeframe. Individual progress may vary, but this provides a realistic target to aim for.

Is Learning Chinese Really That Intense?

Let’s be honest, mastering Mandarin Chinese is a significant undertaking. It’s Mandarin Chinese, after all. But don’t let the time commitment discourage you. If the duration seems daunting, you might be falling into common misconceptions:

1. Misconception: Language Learning is a Chore

Learning Chinese doesn’t have to be a tedious task. There are enjoyable approaches to language acquisition. Explore resources like:

The Lazy Person’s Guide to Learning Chinese
How to Learn a Language from Home (Even if You’re Really Lazy)

As your Chinese proficiency grows, you can increasingly learn through enjoyable activities like reading and watching Chinese media.

2. Misconception: Fluency is Required to Enjoy Speaking Chinese

Don’t postpone enjoying your Chinese skills until you reach 2000 hours of study. That number is just an estimate, and fluency is a gradual process. For long-term projects like language learning, focusing solely on the end goal can lead to discouragement. Fluency is built upon countless small pieces of knowledge acquired over time. Each new word, phrase, or grammar point you learn enhances your connection with Chinese culture and people. This enjoyment can begin from day one. Consistent effort will eventually lead to conversational fluency, and the journey itself is filled with rewarding moments.

Don’t wait until you’re fluent to start enjoying your Chinese journey. Every little thing you learn will help you connect more with the Chinese people and culture. You can enjoy that right from day 1.

Your 6-Step Plan to Achieving Conversational Fluency in Mandarin Chinese

Many language learners start with enthusiasm, fueled by the desire to speak fluently one day. However, many give up within weeks or months. The missing element is often a practical, step-by-step system for daily learning. A structured system is crucial for consistent study over the long term, which is the only path to real progress. A good system helps you:

• Learn Chinese more efficiently and to a higher level.
• Prioritize the most important aspects of learning.
• Overcome procrastination.
• Maintain a healthy, enjoyable, and productive learning process.

Simply wanting to learn Chinese and relying on motivation alone is often insufficient. Progress requires a system that supports daily effort.

I’ve developed a system for learning Mandarin Chinese at home, which I’ll share with you. However, remember that a universal system doesn’t exist. We all have different lives: some can immerse themselves in China, while others juggle learning with family and work commitments. Our goals also vary: some focus on conversational skills, while others might be interested in reading, writing or calligraphy.

Everyone’s different: I’m learning Chinese to chat to people, so I’m reading to boost my vocabulary. My fiancé’s learning it because he loves calligraphy, so he’s practising writing.

Therefore, this 6-step formula is adaptable. You can tailor it to create a personalized system that aligns with your life and Mandarin Chinese goals.

Step 1: Define Your Priorities

Why are you learning Mandarin Chinese? What do you want to achieve with the language? My primary goal is conversational fluency. Therefore, I prioritize activities that enhance conversation skills, such as:

• Speaking practice
• Listening to authentic conversations
• Vocabulary expansion
• Pronunciation improvement

Take a moment to define your Mandarin Chinese priorities. What are your reasons for learning? What do you want to do with your Chinese skills? Choose activities that directly contribute to these goals.

Step 2: Decide What to Avoid

Since my focus is conversation, I minimize activities that are less directly relevant, such as:

1. Memorizing character stroke order in detail.
2. Working through a grammar textbook cover-to-cover.
3. Extensive use of gamified language apps like Duolingo.

These activities might broaden general Chinese knowledge, but they aren’t the most efficient path to conversational fluency. Spending excessive time on them can create a feeling of hard work without significant progress. Focusing on priority activities from Step 1 will yield faster results.

Your turn: Which activities are less crucial for developing your priority skills? Make a list of activities you can reduce or avoid. Give yourself permission to not do these things.

Step 3: Select Effective Learning Materials

With your priorities defined, it’s time to choose the right learning resources. Here are examples of key skills and corresponding resources:

Speaking Chinese

• Language exchange partners: Platforms like HelloTalk and Tandem connect you with native speakers for conversation practice.
• Online tutors: Websites like italki offer professional Chinese tutors for personalized lessons.
• Speaking practice apps: Apps like Speechling provide feedback on your pronunciation.

Understanding Conversational Chinese

• Podcasts for Chinese learners: Look for podcasts designed for your level, such as ChinesePod or MandarinPod.
• YouTube channels: Numerous channels offer Chinese lessons and authentic content.
• Chinese TV shows and movies: Start with subtitles and gradually reduce reliance on them.

Improve your Chinese Handwriting

• Character writing practice books: Many workbooks focus on proper stroke order and character formation.
• Stroke order apps: Apps like Skritter help you memorize and practice writing characters correctly.
• Regular handwriting practice: Write in Chinese as much as possible, such as journaling or making notes.

Improve your Chinese Reading Skills

• Graded readers: These books are tailored to different proficiency levels, making reading accessible and enjoyable.
• Chinese news websites and blogs: Start with simplified Chinese content and gradually move to more complex materials.
• E-readers with dictionaries: E-readers make looking up unfamiliar words quick and easy.

Boost Your Chinese Vocabulary

• Extensive reading: Reading exposes you to new words in context.
• Flashcard apps: Apps like Anki or Memrise are excellent for vocabulary review and spaced repetition.
• Sentence writing practice: Create example sentences using new vocabulary to reinforce learning and understand usage.

Refine Your Chinese Grammar

• Grammar books: Use grammar books as reference tools rather than studying them linearly. Focus on specific grammar points as needed.
• Online grammar resources: Websites and apps often provide clear grammar explanations and exercises.
• Learning from context: Pay attention to grammar patterns in your reading and listening materials.

Prepare for Chinese Exams (like the HSK)

• HSK preparation books: These books familiarize you with the exam format and question types.
• HSK tutors: Find tutors on platforms like italki who specialize in HSK preparation.
• Practice exams: Take as many practice exams as possible to build familiarity and confidence.

An effective study system usually combines various resources. Mix and match resources to align with your priorities and goals from Step 1 for optimal results.

Step 4: Establish Your Daily Learning Time

Language learning is similar to fitness training. Initial enthusiasm is common, but sustained effort is needed to see results. The key to learning Mandarin Chinese is making it a daily habit:

• Study every day.
• Study at a consistent time.
• Study in a designated place.

If a rigid schedule is challenging, aim for two out of these three elements. I aim for 30-60 minutes of Chinese study each morning. This works well because mornings are less prone to interruptions. I also try to fit in another 30-60 minutes later in the day, and utilize “dead time” for extra practice (explained in Step 5). Your schedule might be different based on your life circumstances. Consider your daily routine. When and where can you allocate time for Chinese? It could be mornings or evenings, or broken into shorter sessions throughout the day, like 3 x 15 minutes. When starting, begin with a small, manageable time commitment (even 2 minutes) and gradually increase it to your ideal daily study time.

Related article: Language Learning Habits: How to Achieve More by Trying Less

Step 5: Utilize “Dead Time” for Chinese Learning

Waiting for public transport, traffic jams, or queues offer valuable “dead time” that can be repurposed for Mandarin learning. Examples include:

• Use flashcard apps for vocabulary review while waiting.
• Read graded readers on commutes.
• Engage in conversations on HelloTalk instead of social media during downtime.
• Listen to Chinese podcasts or audio courses while commuting or walking.
• Listen to audio lessons while doing chores like dishes or cleaning.
• If someone is late, use the waiting time for flashcards or reading.

Identify your daily dead time moments. Which Chinese learning activities can you incorporate into these moments?

Step 6: Integrate Mandarin Chinese into Your Identity

From observing language learners, I’ve noticed two common mindsets:

1. Those who focus on the “foreignness” of the language and culture, feeling awkward about speaking and engaging with it.
2. Those who immerse themselves in the language and culture, making learning a part of their identity.

The first group often limits their progress, while the second group tends to achieve fluency. Learning a language, especially Mandarin Chinese, requires significant time and effort. If you’re hesitant to embrace the language and culture as part of your identity, maintaining motivation can be challenging. Once you see yourself as “a person who is learning Mandarin,” consistent learning becomes more natural and intrinsic.

Avoid Common Pitfalls in Chinese Learning

Learning Mandarin Chinese is a significant journey, and encountering obstacles is normal. Here are common pitfalls and strategies to overcome them:

1. The “All-or-Nothing” Mentality

When pursuing goals like language learning, it’s easy to fall into an “all-or-nothing” mindset. Missing one study session can lead to abandoning the entire effort. However, occasional slips are normal. What matters is your response. If you planned an hour of Chinese study but spent the first 20 minutes on social media, simply refocus and continue with the remaining 40 minutes. Some study is always better than none.

2. Procrastination

Procrastination often stems from two sources:

1. Disliking the activity: Solution: Find enjoyable ways to learn Chinese. Explore fun resources like: The Lazy Person’s Guide to Learning Chinese.
2. Feeling overwhelmed: Solution: Make starting easy. Set small, achievable initial goals and gradually increase them. Resources like: Language learning habits: how to achieve more by trying less and Why you procrastinate & 3 research-backed ways to stop it from ruining your language learning can provide helpful strategies.

3. Making Excuses

It’s easy to tell yourself “I don’t have time” for language learning. However, a closer look at your day often reveals pockets of time wasted on less productive activities. Recognize when you are making excuses to avoid learning. If you truly want to learn Chinese, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.

4. Obsessing Over Grammar

Languages are best learned through practice. Spending excessive time on grammar rules in isolation can hinder progress. Learn grammar organically by observing it in real-world contexts: read extensively, listen actively, and notice sentence structures. Don’t wait for perfect grammar knowledge before speaking; learn grammar as you go.

5. Self-Criticism

Imagine a child learning a language. Which approach is more effective?

1. Criticizing every mistake and saying they’ll never learn.
2. Offering praise and encouragement.

The second approach is clearly more conducive to learning. Yet, many language learners are overly critical of themselves. Be kind to yourself and celebrate every effort in your Chinese learning journey, regardless of how small.

6. “All Work and No Play”

Language learning shouldn’t be constant drudgery. The more enjoyable your learning activities, the easier it will be to maintain consistency. Watching Chinese TV shows instead of doing grammar drills is perfectly acceptable!

Become Fluent in Mandarin: A Step-by-Step Guide