Hacking Chinese Podcast

What if you're making progress in Chinese, but in the wrong direction? Knowing why you're learning changes what counts as progress.
#learnchinese #why #motivation #progress #survey
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: Why knowing your reasons for learning Chinese matters: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-are-you-learning-chinese/
Survey about why you're learning Chinese: https://forms.gle/yCBPVrWzuKfuFRuUA
Effective progress or experience points? The double-edged sword of measuring your Chinese learning: https://www.hackingchinese.com/measurable-progress-is-a-double-edged-sword/
Using the HSK as a roadmap to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/using-the-hsk-as-a-roadmap-to-learning-chinese/
Insights from the new HSK 7-9: Interview with Sara Jaaksola: https://www.hackingchinese.com/insights-from-the-new-hsk-7-9-interview-with-sara-jaaksola/
How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/
How to learn Chinese in the long term with intrinsic motivation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-learn-chinese-in-the-long-term-with-intrinsic-motivation/
How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: The ultimate guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/
Love and language: Challenges and opportunities in learning Chinese with a partner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/language-learning-with-a-chinese-girlfriend-or-boyfriend/
A language learner’s guide to wuxia novels: https://www.hackingchinese.com/a-language-learners-guide-to-wuxia-novels/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Do you have to learn to write Chinese characters by hand? https://www.hackingchinese.com/is-it-necessary-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Should you use an efficient method for learning Chinese even if you hate it? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-use-an-efficient-method-for-learning-chinese-even-if-you-hate-it/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Why are you learning Chinese, and is your answer the same today as when you started? Let's explore what motivates us to learn Chinese and how those motivations change over time.
#learnchinese #motivation #why #survey
Take the survey about why you’re learning Chinese: https://forms.gle/zj7oXaaEanasS21RA
How I learnt Chinese, part 1: Where it all started: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-1-why-i-started-learning-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Taking a Chinese course is a great way to get started, but following the syllabus alone can leave important gaps. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary detours and make your first semester count.
#learnchinese #course #semester
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to get the most out of your first semester of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-key-to-unlocking-your-first-semester-of-chinese/
How I learnt Chinese, part 2: Learning Mandarin in Sweden: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-2-foreign-language-learning-in-sweden/
How to get good grades when studying Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter/
Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/
Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/
How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: The ultimate guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/
Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/
Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/
16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/
The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/
The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/
Chinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/
How to learn Chinese pronunciation as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-pronunciation-as-a-beginner/
Chinese tones explained: The four Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/
Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/
Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/
Take responsibility for your Chinese learning now: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Long-term goals are easy to set, but much harder to stick to. The forking path offers a more flexible way to make steady progress with your Chinese, one small choice at a time.
#learnchinese #goals #approach
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: The forking path: A human approach to learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-forking-path-a-human-approach-to-learning-chinese/
The three factors that determine how much Chinese you learn: https://www.hackingchinese.com/three-factors-decide-much-chinese-learn/
The three roads to mastering Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-three-roads-to-mastering-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)

Translating everything in your head makes speaking and listening to Chinese slow and difficult. Here’s why it happens, and how to stop doing it and start thinking in Chinese instead.
#learnchinese #speaking #translation #listening
Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to stop translating in your head and start thinking in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-stop-translating-in-your-head-and-start-thinking-in-chinese/
How to improve fluency in Chinese by playing word games: https://www.hackingchinese.com/playing-word-games-to-practise-fluency/
The cheapest and most convenient way to improve your spoken Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-cheapest-and-most-convenient-way-to-improve-your-spoken-chinese/
Role-playing to learn more Chinese and avoid frustration: https://www.hackingchinese.com/role-playing-to-learn-more-chinese-and-avoid-frustration/
Learning Chinese through comprehensible input: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-chinese-comprehensible-input/
How much Chinese should you listen to every day? https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-much-chinese-should-you-listen-to-every-day/
Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 4: Learning to process spoken Mandarin quickly and effortlessly: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beyond-ting-bu-dong-part-4-learning-to-process-spoken-mandarin-quickly-and-effortlessly/
The beginner’s guide to Chinese translation: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-beginners-guide-to-chinese-translation/
Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/
Why flashcards are great for learning Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/why-flashcards-are-great-for-learning-chinese/
Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/
How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/
More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com
Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)