Grammar is something central to learning any language, including Chinese. If someone says otherwise, it’s probably because they don’t know what...
Year: 2026
asking-the-experts-how-to-bridge-the-gap-to-real-chinese
Asking the experts: How to bridge the gap to real Chinese | Hacking Chinese
Are you practising Chinese the right way? Is your method valid?
When you practise something (anything), the most important question is whether or not the way you practice actually has a positive effect on the...
Are there any shortcuts for learning Chinese?
Beginner students often ask if there are any shortcuts for learning Chinese. Learning a language is no simple task, after all, so it’s only...
Are simplified characters really simpler to learn?
Simplified characters have fewer strokes, which makes them simpler, right? A character with fewer strokes is faster to write, of course, but does...
Are mnemonics too slow for Chinese learners?
Image credit: Magda Ehlers Mnemonics are mental techniques used to improve our ability remember things. You are probably aware of such techniques,...
Will a Chinese-only rule improve your learning?
Some language schools have a Chinese-only rule, which means that neither students nor teachers are allowed to speak anything but Chinese on...
Are authentic texts good for learning Chinese or is graded content better?
In the context of language learning and reading ability, “authentic” usually means “not produced specifically for language learners”, or in other...
Approaches to reading in Chinese
This is a guest post about reading in Chinese, written by Sara K. Reading is one of the best ways of picking up new vocabulary once we reached an...
Answer buttons and how to use SRS to study Chinese
Spaced repetition is very powerful compared to massed repetition, which is why software utilising the spacing effect is growing ever more popular. I...