There’s nothing wrong with learning a new language with the help of a textbook. After all, you need to learn to walk before you can run – and learning any new language involves getting to grips with a basic foundation of grammar and ‘starter vocabulary’.
But it’s also important to remember that if you only learn Chinese from a textbook, you might end up sounding like one when you speak it, too. And while this way of learning used to be one of the only ways to access a new language for a newbie, there are so many more ways to learn to speak Mandarin more naturally and faster these days.
Here are the top 10 reasons why real-life Chinese beats textbook Chinese, and why you should incorporate speaking and listening to it ‘in the wild’ into your everyday learning.
1. Authenticity
Textbooks often present simplified language in an ideal conversational setting. Real-life interactions expose you to slang, nuances and regional dialects, which allow you to learn authentic language in broader settings.
2. Practical skills
Textbooks focus on the essential technicalities of a language, like grammar and vocabulary. But Chinese is a very contextual language, and many words sound the same. So real-life experiences are better for developing your communication skills because you need to listen carefully and process what’s being said in different situations.
3. Cultural immersion
Language is deeply intertwined with culture. By interacting with native speakers, you gain more insights into Chinese traditions and social norms, enriching your language learning experience on a higher level.
4. Improved pronunciation
Reading about pronunciation from a textbook is a good start, but there’s no better way to learn than by hearing it and repeating it out loud. This way you can fine-tune your accent and intonation based on what you actually hear rather than what you imagine. Check out our guide on five ways to improve your pronunciation when learning Mandarin.
5. Boosting confidence
Nobody likes making mistakes – but the best learning happens when you’re not afraid to make some. Getting over the initial awkward feeling of listening to and speaking Mandarin for the first few times increases your self-confidence.
6. Faster learning
Following on from the above point about becoming more confident, the more you listen and speak, the easier it feels. Real-life interactions provide constant opportunities for language practice, making inevitable mistakes but – most importantly – correcting them.
7. Personalised learning
Textbooks offer a one-size-fits-all approach and sometimes begin with topics that won’t be immediately relevant to you (for example, teaching you school-related vocabulary instead of how to navigate a train station in China). Real-life experiences allow you to tailor your learning to your specific needs and interests.
8. Networking opportunities
Getting out there and engaging with native Mandarin speakers can not only lead to professional connections, but also valuable friendships. It can be as simple as joining a Chinese social media network like WeChat (微信 Wēixìn), Douyin (抖音 Dǒuyīn) or Xiaohongshu (小红书 Xiǎo hóng shū).
9. Problem-solving skills
Real-life language learning challenges you to think critically and find creative solutions to communication problems. Once you learn basic direction and description words like ‘big’, ‘small’, ‘this’ and ‘that’, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get around vocabulary gaps in a pinch when speaking – as long as you don’t solely rely on this method and make sure you look up and learn the word you didn’t know later. Again, the more you speak, the easier it gets.
10. It’s more fun!
There are so many ways to learn Chinese on your own beyond spending hours bent over a dry textbook. From listening to music and watching juicy Chinese dramas to ordering something delicious in a Chinese restaurant and chatting with friends, learning doesn’t have to be a chore.
The best way to learn Chinese in real life? In the countries where it’s the native language.
Check out our homestay learning programmes in Mainland China and Taiwan, where you can stay in the home of an expert language teacher for tailored one-on-one lessons and a truly immersive language learning experience.
