Blogs >Mandarin Learning Tips
by Tracy LaoShi, 14 October 2023
👆🏼This is a post that I found on Quora, click here for original post, have you ever aced HSK 5, but found Mandarin conversations a struggle?
HSK exams are fantastic for testing your Chinese language skills, but they might not be the golden ticket to fluent Mandarin speaking that you hoped for.
Why, you ask?
Well, here's the thing: every language, including Mandarin, begins with speaking.
The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, or HSK for short, is like a passport to the fascinating world of Mandarin. These exams, recognized worldwide, are the go-to for assessing your reading proficiency in the language. Think of it as your ticket to deciphering those intriguing Chinese characters and texts.
What HSK Does Well:
Reading Proficiency: HSK excels at testing your ability to read and comprehend written Mandarin. It gauges your grasp of vocabulary, grammar, and the written language's structure.
Listening Skills: HSK includes listening comprehension sections, helping you become attuned to the rhythm and sounds of Mandarin
What HSK Might Miss:
Speaking Skills: It doesn't dive deep into spoken Mandarin or the art of carrying out a lively conversation.
Real-Life Conversation: HSK mainly focuses on controlled exam scenarios, which may not fully prepare you for the dynamic nature of everyday Mandarin interactions.
Now, if you're a total beginner or someone who's been stuck in the HSK exam cycle, it's time for a refreshing change.
We're going back to basics, start by learning to speak through a series of everyday objects that you can touch, feel, and connect with.
Think of:
Forget about the daunting Pinyin spelling or tone marks for now. Instead, focus on the sound and associate it with the object. Visualize your vocabulary; make it a part of your daily life.
Once you've explored these objects inside out, you can gradually transition to common verbs and even construct simple sentences.
The key is to take it one step at a time, building your foundation brick by brick. By the end of this journey, you'll not only speak Mandarin well, but you'll do it with confidence and a smile.
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