20 Secrets of Successful Language Learners: How to become Fluent in Chinese & Japanese

What's the secret to becoming fluent? How can you learn Chinese, Japanese, or any language? I have been a language teacher and student for 8 years and I want to share my language learning tips with you. Here are 20 secrets that I used to become fluent in Chinese and Japanese. Here are my favorite apps, online lessons, and textbooks all in one video!

Below are language learning tools I have personally used for years. Direct purchases of software from these links goes to supporting this channel.

JAPANESE LESSONS:

CHINESE LESSONS:

50 LANGUAGES: Pimsleur 7 Day Free Trial:

My instagram: anming7

[OrientalPearl]

When people ask me how I learned Chinese and Japanese, I want to show you exactly what I used. All of the apps, textbooks, and audio lessons in this video are the exact same materials I used for years to get fluent. I was a customer of Pimsleur and Japanesepod101 for many years and I really liked their lessons. -Anming

[resilenthero]

The goal of language learning is NOT to focus on fluency and how native-like you sound, but rather on the journey and the process of gradually getting better each day. Counterintuitively you’ll end up reaching a level far beyond what you expected with this mindset. Also like what she mentioned, try to somehow make it fun and enjoyable for yourself that way you can continue doing it without burning out or giving up.

[CalebConyers]

I met my wife of 3 years on Hello Talk..
What started as just a language learning experience, turned into a wonderful experience and a life long partner.
All thanks to learning something new!
I can't agree more.
Thanks for the video.

[FoxinsoxVT]

I really liked what you said about using your downtime. I've noticed lately how much time I spend just waiting for things, waiting to get to a destination, waiting in line, etc. I definitely want to make that time more productive.

[dragonshrilldragonkill]

The most important tip that you gave to your audience was the need of a tutor to help with pronunciation and structuring. To many of us are secure in our smugness, and refuse, or feel we have no need for correction. When any well educated student will tell you they have been helped by a mentor correcting their viewpoint, or their pronunciation.
Thank-you for the great video, and hope you find a rainy day friend.

[lostmarine]

I felt like I needed this video. I’ve been on and off with my target language and it’s been frustrating. I also like to note that the Genki series for Japanese language learners is a good book/audio to buy for those who speak English. Youtuber, Aboard in Japan, recommends the two-series books as it focuses on conversational Japanese that’s used often in Japan

[stuartbrookes]

I've been learning Mandarin at home for a few months now, 我 自学的. Every time I get a lull, your videos fill me with inspiration! 谢谢！

[youmustbefibbing]

Learning is a lifelong process and you're setting a fantastic example. If I was to start learning a new language now I'll forever be looking at those bottom shelf basic textbooks.

[kappatrappa]

this channel is amazing, so glad i found it, i am at about 3 years of learning japanese and it is very hard to keep motivation. Thank you for the
informative videos. Seeing your success makes me want to try harder!

[staywell]

dear anming, you just up'ed the level of presentation 100 %. you are so right about what you know and say. sharing it for others to follow is commendable. no shrink influence as education often is being infiltrated with. we don't want'm.
thank you for the efforts to help to make this a better place.

[nlee]

Great ideas! Shortly after I married my husband 27 years ago, I could not find ANY written or recorded instruction or classes or even tutors or guidebooks in Cantonese. There was no internet at that time. The problem was my husband only knew spoken (family only) Cantonese but no Mandarin. My in-laws knew both. We tried learning Mandarin together but couldn’t stick with it. On the other hand, my in-laws went to Panama when they left HK, so my husband and his sister grew up speaking Spanish as well. We always went to Spanish-speaking countries for vacation and since I took Spanish in school, I think I’m closest to becoming fluent in this. I recently had renovations done in my house that took a month, and had the same 4 or 5 guys in and out all day, and I practiced my Spanish with them, all day long. Two did not know English, so we both used google translate and kept going back and forth practicing. It really helped me but I can still understand way faster than I can speak, so I get frustrated. Listening to kid shows in the language you want to know is def a good way like you said - much slower

[heartsofgoldenrod]

I love how you incorporate your fashion sense into your videos. You know, you could ask the companies that you love if they’d sponsor your videos too!

[jjb]

Anming, I love your channel. I became fluent in Chinese using many of the methods you described from 2003 to 2005. I too had a Ms word document of Chinese of over two hundred pages. I even used the same Chinese textbooks you used. It’s very interesting how similar our methods were. I also wrote a lot in a blog and would “自言自语” intensely in preparation of my speaking sessions and did a homestay in China. I would recommend this in addition to what you mentioned. I too met my partner this way and we have been happily married ever since. For the last 5 years I have been learning Japanese on my own, but now I have a family and career and like you said finding the time has become difficult as I don’t have time to enroll in a language school. Having a bf/gf/so is such a game changer too. I spoke only Chinese to my partner for 5 years straight, but this is not option for Japanese for me now. I am interested in understanding how much do you attribute your fluency due to having a bf in Japanese? And if you have any additional specific tips for people like me who are learning languages while juggling careers and family life.

[クロエーさん]

Thank you so much for this! My mother loves watching you and also because of your videos she wants to start learning Mandarin Chinese! I have been wanted to learn Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin too) to go to college in Japan ! I can't wait for what the future holds for me. You inspired me to be less anti-social! Thank you :D

[theocrevon]

Believe it or not, what helped me a ton moving my japanese forward was watching Terrace House...

[liammclaughlin]

I've watched a lot of videos on YouTube giving advice about learning a new language. This is probably the best one I've seen. Straight to the point and very down to earth. Thank you.

[johngatliff]

Thank you for your positive influnence and never quit attitude. I enjoyed your videos.

[matthewraya]

Learning Japanese is something I’ve been thinking about doing for a number of years. This video has pushed me to finally do it 👍😃. My sister introduced to me to the Japanese culture when I was a child-she taught English there for two years back in the ‘70’s. She brought me Japanese children’s books when she returned home. I also studied Karate for a few years when I was younger as well. Studying the language is the next step for me.

[brilliantlightphoto]

Thank you for making this video!!! I am just starting to learn Chinese and I have fallen in love with this language. I'm only 2 months in and 我的中文不是好 but I am having sooo much fun. I really appreciate your tips, as I am just starting to self learn as a 27 year old and need all the help I can get.

[jlcemf]

Based on your recommendation, I started using Pimsleur 3 weeks ago to learn Korean. It’s so convenient to listen to the audio and practice while I cook or exercise! I feel very productive, haha.