7 Useful Resources for Learning Mandarin Chinese
Are you struggling to acquire Mandarin Chinese?
With an abundance of Mandarin learning resources available online, anyone from absolute beginners to advanced learners can easily find something that suits their learning needs.
In this article, we've gathered the top 7 Chinese learning websites, must-have apps and other materials effective for mastering the basics of Mandarin, from daily conversational phrases to literacy skills. These valuable resources are essential for cultivating proficiency in Mandarin and propelling your learning.
Without further ado, here’s our list of top resources for Chinese learning!
1. Netflix
Best website for learning Chinese vocabulary at ease
While Netflix gives access to a host of mandarin-dubbed TV shows, films, and documentaries, one ultra-useful learning resource being overlooked is the Netflix Plugin — Language Reactor.
This extension displays dual language subtitles, a popup dictionary, accurate video playback settings, and more features in Netflix shows. For instance, this language reactor allows you to hover your mouse over phrases in the subtitles and learn their meaning immediately in the popup dictionary. You can also review these words in the flashcards afterwards.
Moreover, this plugin allows you to skip directly to a particular line of dialogue so you can learn from the actor’s pronunciation. Grab some popcorn and jump into a fun Chinese learning experience on the Netflix website tonight!
2. Mobile Apps
Best resource for learning Chinese pronunciation and words at different grade levels
Learning Chinese or Mandarin is a long, long journey that requires much more than just a few good websites and learning resources. You'll need to sustain your motivation and regularly practice your skills with native speakers and quality learning material over an extended period.
You might have already heard of Duolingo — one of the world's best language-learning materials for building vocabulary and pronunciation techniques from scratch. As you work through various levels, you will do more speaking and writing in Mandarin while gaining points and competing against your pals for the best weekly performance.
Another helpful resource for learning Chinese vocabulary in context is Du Chinese. Users can read a wide range of Chinese stories catered to their level of proficiency and easily check the pinyin and English definitions of any vocabulary they are unfamiliar with. Download these mobile learning apps now and fast-track your Mandarin Chinese learning!
3. YouTube
Fun website for learning conversational Chinese
When it comes to learning Mandarin Chinese, YouTube is an invaluable resource. Watching Chinese content on Youtube can help improve your listening comprehension and understanding of how the language is used in daily conversations among the locals.
Apart from a series of Chinese variety shows on YouTube, we recommend subscribing to a few channels dedicated to teaching Chinese, including Learn Chinese with Yimi, Shuo Shuo Chinese, and channels featuring well-known Chinese YouTubers like Strictly Dumpling and Li Jiaqi. Through engaging content on topics like food and makeup, these channels can help introduce you to hip slangs and useful colloquialisms that are often overlooked by more formal types of Chinese learning material.
If you're looking for fun and engaging Mandarin learning material, look no further than YouTube!
4. Podcasts
Best learning material for creating an immersive Mandarin Chinese environment
You don't need to travel to China or spend all day in front of a monitor to enjoy an immersive Chinese learning environment. Just grab a pair of headphones and plug into a wide range of high-quality Mandarin podcasts!
Podcasts are an excellent resource for learning Chinese as they expose you to native mandarin speakers and help you practice listening effectively. It’s a fun and free opportunity to hear Mandarin at different speeds and in different accents and can rapidly improve your listening skills and understanding of mandarin.
Additionally, there are many different podcasts catered to learning levels ranging from beginner to advanced, such as BBC Chinese and Pimsleur. If you are looking for a Chinese learning resource to boost your listening comprehension and add exposure to the language, the abovementioned podcasts are worth checking out!
5. Dictionary
Best Dictionary-type resource for learning Mandarin Chinese
Dictionaries are the go-to resource for Chinese learners, but some Chinese words can denote multiple meanings and confuse an English speaker. The LINE dictionary and the Pleco dictionary are recommended toolkits that help you understand how the lexical items are used in context. The more you can understand words under their context, the better you will be at using them in your writing and conversations.
These dictionaries are also helpful for looking up individual characters and checking their meanings and pronunciations. Keeping these learning resources on your phone makes reading in Chinese much easier in the long run.
6. Songs
Best resource for learning Chinese vocabulary and pronunciation subtly
Another best way to learn a language is through Chinese songs and pop culture that weave through your everyday life. From the lyrics you are humming to the melodious tunes you are singing along with, Chinese pop songs are full of language-learning resources that can strengthen your Mandarin vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar learning.
Songs can introduce new words and expressions and give you an idea of how they can be used in a meaningful context. They can also help your tonal pronunciation, which is often difficult for foreigners. Imitating the tone of the singer’s pronunciation enables you to sound more native-like and can improve your confidence massively.
7. Online Chinese Courses
Effective Chinese learning and tailor-made materials in Linguabox
There is no better way to learn Chinese than taking a tried, tested, and proven Chinese course designed and taught by language learning experts. Compared to self-studying, learning Mandarin in classes helps you start off with a strong foundation from the very beginning.
With over 30 years of teaching experience combined, Linguabox’s teachers are capable of nurturing fluent Mandarin speakers using effective pedagogies and personalised learning materials to cater to learners’ needs. We offer a range of online Mandarin courses through our flexible learning platform, including HSK Speaking Preparation Course, Speak and Write, Tailored Tutoring Courses, and more.
Book a one-on-one trial class for free to get a taste of Mandarin learning now!
