My essential question, and what is my goal now?

2021.03.10

My essential question: How do me and others study Chinese and what does the science say is correct?

This question is something I've wondered for a while, but the main point of my question is to find any flaws in what I'm doing and how I can improve. I don't have 10,000 hours, but there are likely little things I didn't know about to improve my study techniques.

There are three areas in which I need to source my information- here are the areas, and where I'll be getting most of my info:

How I learn:

• Discord - Recently I've been referred to Chinese Discord servers. I very much underestimated how much it would help me- but I know it will be key in improving my Chinese. While they do provide new vocabulary, a space to ask questions, and poems weekly from various dynasties, that's not the thing I mainly like about it. The main thing is being able to join voice channels- it is quite challenging, but since I am usually one of the only natives of English there, it forces me to have to use Chinese. Even if I use a mix of Chinese and English, it's better than nothing. It's not that what I'm doing now is wrong by studying Anki, but it's only the bricks, and no glue. I can't only have glue either- that's just a sticky mess. But it fills the inevitable gaps in my knowledge. I was asked a question yesterday- I didn't know what it meant at all, but other people had been asked it a while ago, and they all responded with locations (pretty simple because usually they're cognates). That's how I knew they were asking my nationality- I do know how to ask it myself, but however they did was something I'd never heard.

• Anki - It's my collection of flashcards for all the new vocabulary I'm hearing. Whenever I want to know a word or write a piece with new vocabulary or watch/read something, I always put the new words into my Anki. It automatically uses active recall, unlike Quizlet, and is quite simplistic so I'm not easily distracted.

• TV/Books/Podcasts/Radio - Usually when I watch a show or read, I am taking notes, especially if there are Chinese subs- most shows do - and I put them into my Anki for later. For podcasts, radio, and some YouTube videos, I don't take notes and try just to absorb the language and notice new grammar patterns.

How others learn:

• YouTube - I've noticed a lot of people with study YouTube channels talk about their language learning. If I find someone who knows Chinese, I'll jot down how they study.

• Survey Group - I recently sent an email to 19 students, asking them to make various recordings, pertaining to their study techniques and advice they have for others. Having this could be a good control, to see what is realistic compared to what would scientifically make sense.

How to learn ideally:

• 7 Ways to Learn a New Language Faster

• The Science of Baby Talk

• 9 Killer Ways to Learn Chinese

My goal is to engage all learners- those who know nothing and also those who are fluent. I also want to be focusing more on improving my own language in the process- if I vlogged a normal week of my Chinese studying and then also a week after I utilize new techniques, and see the improvement to increase the reliability of the video.

Prokopets, Elena. “7 Ways To Learn a New Language Faster (Backed by Science).” Lifehack, Lifehack, 26 Nov. 2019, www.lifehack.org/388894/7-ways-learn-foreign-language-faster-that-are-backed-science.

Stix, Gary. “The Science of Baby Talk [Video].” Scientific American, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2015, www.scientificamerican.com/article/babies-the-science-of-baby-talk-video/.

Hobbs, Max, et al. “Best Way To Learn Chinese (Super Fast) 🤩 9 Proven Ways To Win.” LTL School, 13 Sept. 2020, ltl-school.com/best-way-learn-chinese/.