What are the most common mistakes of Chinese learners? What mistakes do most Chinese learners need to correct in order to learn Chinese faster?
Here are five Chinese learning mistakes:
1. Pay attention to grammar
This is the biggest, most common and most serious error. Research shows that grammar learning actually damages Chinese oral ability. Why? Because Chinese grammar is too complex to remember and use logically. And the real conversation is too fast. You don’t have enough time to think, remember hundreds of grammatical rules, choose the right one, and then use it.
Your logical left brain can’t do that. You must learn grammar intuitively and unconsciously like a child. You do this by listening to a lot of correct Chinese grammar, and your brain gradually learns to use Chinese grammar correctly.
2. Forced statements
Chinese students and teachers try to force learners to speak before they are ready. As a result, most students speak Chinese very slowly – neither confident nor fluent. Forcing a speech is a huge mistake. Don’t force others to speak. Focus on listening and be patient. Speak only when you are ready to speak – when it happens naturally. Until then, don’t force it.
3. Study only official language textbooks
Unfortunately, most Chinese students only study textbooks and official Chinese in school. The problem is that native English speakers will not use this Chinese in most cases. When talking with friends, family or colleagues, native speakers will use casual Chinese full of idioms, phrasal verbs and slang. To communicate with native English speakers, you can’t just rely on textbooks.. You must learn Chinese.
4. want to be perfect
Students and teachers often pay attention to mistakes. They are worried about mistakes. They corrected their mistakes. They are nervous about mistakes. They try to speak perfectly. However, no one is perfect. Native English speakers always make mistakes. You will, too. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on communication. Your goal is not to say “perfect”. Your goal is to exchange ideas, information and feelings in a clear and understandable way. Pay attention to communication and positive aspects. You will correct your mistakes in time
5. Relying on Chinese Schools
Most Chinese students depend entirely on schools. They believe that teachers and schools are responsible for their success. This is never true. You, Chinese learners, always have a sense of responsibility. A good teacher can help you, but in the end you must be responsible for your study. You must find effective courses and materials. You must listen and read every day. You must control your emotions and maintain your enthusiasm and vitality. You must be positive. No teacher can let you study. Only you can do it!
Although these errors are common, the good news is that you can correct them. When you stop making these mistakes, you will change the way you learn Chinese. You learn faster. Your spoken Chinese has improved. You like learning Chinese.