How I learned Mandarin in 6 months *self-taught at home*

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❤️ After 6 months of self-studying Mandarin at home in lockdown, I passed my HSK 4 exam with 99% and can hold a basic conversation with a native speaker. My Chinese is currently at an intermediate level - it's far from perfect and I have a LOT left to learn, but here's an overview of how I planned my studying and the resources I'd most recommend! :) I hope this helps you with your Chinese learning journey, and please let me know in the comments if you'd like more language learning content as I have lots more ideas to share if you're interested! :)

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Resources mentioned 💡
FSI (Foreign Service Institute)
My favourite Chinese Textbooks:
My favourite Chinese Workbooks:
Anki Decks:

Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 Intro
01:31 Planning your process & motivations
01:59 Define your goals
03:01 1. HSK Standard Course Books: how I used them
04:40 2. Anki Decks & Chinese Dictionaries
05:50 3. Language Buddies
06:32 4. Comprehensible Inputs

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sub count: 43
P.S. some of the links in this description are affiliate links that help support the channel at no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support! :)

[mohammeddaddi]

I'm currently working as an interpreter, assistant, coordinator or( whatever you can call it) in a Chinese company here, when I first took this position my Chinese was really basic and after few 2 or 3 months I just couldn't believe how I became fluent and can handle any kind of conversations especially those related to my job, , I remember when I met the lawyer of the company for the first time I really couldn't translate anything to my Chinese manager cuz simply I didn't know any words about law, so my strategy was picking a topic per week and try to find all the words that are related to it and practice them, such as accounting, law, trade, construction, cuz that's what I really need for my job.

[marcyssnow]

if anyone was interested about her pace studying new words (to set yourself goals if want to get similar result or whatever):
half year is 24 weeks
hsk 4 is 1200 words
1200:24=50 new words per week

[saxmaniac]

After 10 months’ learning Mandarin with weekly online lessons and some language exchange, I’m really happy to say I’m now speaking Mandarin in my dreams. As a jazz saxophonist, reaching this stage in learning jazz theory was a fantastic milestone…means I’m getting somewhere 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[matildawolfram]

My brother studied languages at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in California. The pace of study was intense. Students had to master the language course in 36-64 weeks. Psychologically it was very difficult, but fortunately he was helped by Yuriy Ivantsiv's book "Polyglot Notes. Practical tips for learning foreign languages”. The book " Polyglot Notes" became a desk book for my brother, because it has answers to all the problems that any student of a foreign language has to face. Thanks to the author of the channel for this interesting video! Good luck to everyone who studies a foreign
language and wants to realize their full potential!

[RobertHeslop]

Hey Izzy, fellow Brit here. As you're a med student, I thought I'd share something interesting that I experienced. I was having a test in hospital in 2016 for my epilepsy, 30 wires glued to my head, not allowed medication for those 5 days, brain waves being monitored. I had been to Taiwan in 2014 and knew basics, and as I spoke to a Chinese Doctor in basic Chinese, they noticed my brainwaves went from anxiety, to calm. They worked out that the reason I am very good at language learning is because it calms me down and lowers my chance of having a seizure. When necessary, I try to use languages I speak with patients (I work for the NHS on weekends)

[supanontra]

HSK 4 after only half a year is amazing! I studied Sinology at university and it took us 2 year to reach just a little more than HSK 3!

[tazmandavies]

Congrats on attaining a high level of mandarin in just 6 months! Very inspirational and great study tips. I lived in China for one year before I was able to pass HSK 4 (94%). I’d recommend many of the same resources to anyone who’s learning mandarin - guided HSK textbooks, Pleco, language partner, Chinesepod, Peppa Pig. :)

[fantastics]

The most honest and well structured video I have seen to date, on learning a language. I've been living in China for 13 years now and can attest that this language takes time and constant effort. Keep up the great work Izzy and can't wait to watch more of your content!

A few other resources that have been very helpful include:
1. Bilibili, which is an app for watching short (usually quite funny) videos of local people in China sharing their life experiences.
2. Preply for finding affordable tutors
3. Tandem for finding new language exchange friends

大家加油 ！

[MattAgustin]

Wow oh wow. Absolutely loved learning about your journey here, Izzy!

Sitting down right now to make sure I have my reasons "why" for language learning. Also, thanks for the transparency of how much you were focusing on it each day because it can be so easy to see others do something and really not realize how much they put into it 🙌🏾

[maddiestudieskorean]

I’m a thirteen year old learning mandarin and 2 other languages.I love it❤ especially mandarin

[soundplayground]

You're a genius. If I can learn Mandarin like you did in 6 months that would be awesome but I don't think I can devote that much time every day.

[turmoilstabilizer]

I casually started learning Mandarin in February with a relaxed aim of commiting more time and being persistent in my approach later on. The future has come, HSK 1-4 on order. Thanks for the inspiration!

[talhandaq]

Charming video from Izzy. Very kindly she doesn't mention her most important assets to mastering HSK4: excellent memory and high intelligence. I'm sure she will make an outstanding medic in both English and Mandarin!

[Kimwo]

I have been learning for 4 years and the fact that you managed to pass HSK4 in 6 months is crazy too me. Well done like wow!

[alextrujillo]

I tried learning Mandarin on my own. It didn't go quite as I expected. Mandarin is a hard language to grasp. My motivation slowly diminished. Hats off to you.

[veritasetlibertas]

Your so helpful and generous. Taking your own time and using it to help others speak Mandarin. Thanks for doing what you do and being very good at it. I've just started learning Mandarin and I find it easier than some of the European languages. Patience and perseverance are key.
Love, thanks and gratitude
Thomas 💫

[samd]

Great work Izzy. I get this bitter sweet feeling from watching you. I also studied mandarin when I was younger and have wanted to do similar videos to yours but just never had the self confidence to get out there and do it. Love the content you are making

[leeteaktan]

Your achievement is inspirational. As a doctor of Chinese descent myself living in UK I know how busy life is and how hard it can be to maintain one's language, but to learn it from beginner to fluency the way you have done is truly amazing and motivating. Well done and keep it up! So proud of you!

[firminy]

I m preparing HSK4, it s so hard sometimes . Your videos stimulates me to keep learning. Thank you so much.

[JamesAlberts]

Great video! I was looking to set myself a goal like this and this will give me the motivation!