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Best language app I’ve used.
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This language is also available to purchase in Digital formats
Why Learn Chinese Mandarin?
Looking to expand your cultural knowledge or converse with locals by learning Chinese? With Pimsleur’s Mandarin lessons, you’ll soon be speaking with confidence. It all starts with the scientifically proven Pimsleur Method™, which combines graduated interval recall with innovative learning features like digital flash cards, Voice Coach AI pronunciation assistant, role-play challenges, and much more. Spoken by over one billion people, the Chinese language has two significant dialects: Mandarin and Cantonese. Mandarin is more common and the official language of the People’s Republic of China, along with Singapore and Taiwan. Also, one of just six official languages of the United Nations, Chinese is a critical language for worldwide commerce, TV shows, and other critical communication platforms.
Pimsleur enables you to thoughtfully study Chinese Mandarin on your own terms, with an effective step-by-step process that encourages a rapid learning pace in just 30 minutes per day. In no time at all, you’ll learn to speak Mandarin. With this program you start from zero, learning first survival phrases and vocabulary, and eventually progress to a high-intermediate level of speaking and understanding. By Level 5, the pace and conversation move quite rapidly, accelerating exposure to new vocabulary and structures as you learn Chinese, approaching native speed and comprehension.
You'll learn to speak more in-depth about your personal life and emotional state and be able to create complex sentences using a mix of tenses and moods. Pimsleur’s Mandarin lessons emphasize pronunciation, comprehension, and learning to speak Mandarin with the cadence, pace, and confidence of a native Chinese speaker.
The Best Way to Learn the Chinese Language
Language education pioneer Paul Pimsleur (1927-1976) created an easy-to-learn approach to learning any foreign language. The key pillars of the Pimsleur Method – Organic Learning, Graduated Interval Recall, Principle of Anticipation, and Core Vocabulary – guide you along the way as you learn Chinese Mandarin.
Do you remember how you first learned your native language? It wasn’t with lessons, or textbooks, or endless paper flash cards. It was by listening. Pimsleur helps you learn Mandarin Chinese the easy, natural way – by hearing the language being spoken. This method has proven to enhance memory, along with word & phrase recall. With our Mandarin Chinese lessons, you’ll learn like a child – by listening and participating in conversation!
This ensures you’re able to study Chinese Mandarin in the most proficient way possible. From finding the right phrase at the right time to speaking Mandarin in a cadence that aligns with native Chinese speakers, the Pimsleur Method is the only language learning tool you need.
Why Choose Pimsleur for Mandarin Lessons?
Wherever you are, Pimsleur’s Mandarin Chinese lessons are ready to go. Mobile-friendly language learning has never been easier. Whether you’re doing work around the house, driving in the car, or working out at the gym, you can listen to our Chinese courses. Any time is a great time to learn Mandarin Chinese with Pimsleur!
Experience the Pimsleur difference and learn Mandarin Chinese with a free 7-day trial today. Most of our customers begin learning Chinese Mandarin from the get-go, and they are speaking full sentences shortly thereafter. With plenty of positive reviews, our Mandarin Chinese lessons are simply the most efficient method for learning to speak China’s most widely used language. From enriching travel experiences to expanding your own mind, there are plenty of great reasons to get started with Pimsleur now. Along with Chinese, Pimsleur offers more than 50 language courses – start speaking a new language today!
Speak with Confidence. Read like a Native.
Through his research, Dr. Pimsleur found that traditional teaching methods like memorizing vocabulary, conjugating verbs, and practicing grammar actually SLOW DOWN your ability to learn. He called them the kiss of total silence because they made it nearly impossible to speak. It's the reason learning a language feels so difficult, when it should feel totally natural.
It makes sense when you think about it. Have you ever seen a toddler memorizing vocabulary lists? Or picking out parts of speech in a sentence diagram? Of course not. Children learn language the way we were meant to ‐ by listening. That's because we are hardwired to remember sounds and store them in our memory automatically.
It's the same way you pick up a song on the radio. You don't have to study the lyrics or understand musical notes and chords to remember a song. Chances are, if you hear a song once you can sing along the next time you hear it.
Don't miss out. Try Pimsleur today while your first week is FREE!
Common Questions About Learning Chinese Mandarin
Is Chinese a difficult language to learn?
Chinese is considered one of the more challenging languages to learn. When you learn Chinese, you’ll encounter a whole new alphabet of Chinese characters (both Simplified and Traditional), along with a different method of speaking. Spoken Chinese has distinct tonal qualities, and the best way to acquire Chinese speaking skills is with our learning approach.
To learn Mandarin Chinese, you have to literally start from scratch in many aspects – which makes Pimsleur the perfect learning tool! Pimsleur helps you develop the aural (listening) and oral (speaking) skills necessary to learn Mandarin, by focusing on nuanced tonal changes (there are four main tones) in the language. This gives you a distinct advantage over other methods that are more focused on reading and writing.
Our unique approach takes you to the core of Chinese Mandarin, where you’ll learn to speak Mandarin as a child does – by listening to native speakers and immersing yourself in Chinese lessons and courses!
How long does it take to learn Mandarin?
This answer depends, in large part, on the type of Mandarin lessons you choose. Outdated, traditional methods (head down in textbooks, rote grammar exercises, etc.) could take years to learn Mandarin. Enter the Pimsleur Method – by following our lead with active participation and our convenient, take-anywhere app, it’s always an opportune time to learn Chinese! Many of our learners pick up Mandarin in their spare time, from road trips to doing everyday tasks around the house.
What are the main challenges when learning Chinese Mandarin?
For native speakers of Indo-European languages like English, German, French, and other tongues, there are several hurdles as you study Chinese Mandarin. As we mentioned, there’s a whole new tonal speaking technique and writing system to consider, along with unique pace, cadence, and pronunciation challenges. But Pimsleur’s helpful Chinese lessons turn these roadblocks into stepping stones on your way to speaking Chinese with proficiency. You’ll have a blast using our Digital Flash Cards, Reading Lessons, Core Lessons, and other tools in our app to quickly pick up new words and phrases on your learning journey.
How important is pronunciation in learning Mandarin?
Due to the four distinct tones in Mandarin Chinese, pronunciation is critically important. Even short phrases and small words are considered challenging to pronounce. Words like moon 月亮 (yuè liàng), taxi 出租车 (chū zū chē), and drink 喝 (hē) rank near the top of “tough” Chinese words to say. Plus, there are several sounds in Chinese that are not used in English. For example, the Chinese Pinyin "x" is pronounced like "sh" in "she" but with the tongue further forward. Meanwhile, the Pinyin "q" is similar to "ch" in "cheese," and proper pronunciation requires the tongue positioned like you’re saying the English "x."
But thanks to Pimsleur’s advanced AI voice pronunciation feedback tool, you’ll be able to pronounce even the hardest words as you learn Chinese Mandarin. Our goal is not just to teach you new words and phrases but to speak with the correct pronunciation to the point where you’re able to converse with a native Chinese speaker. This ability comes in handy whether you’re traveling to China, talking with a relative, hosting a bilingual work meeting, and much more!
