Audio lessons are a great resource when you learn a language. One of the biggest challenges in speaking Chinese Mandarin is learning correct Chinese pronunciation of the sounds/tones of the language. Using the right audio lessons will help you to develop an accurate pronunciation and thereby improve your conversational skills.
With Chinese being arguably one of the hardest languages to learn, and with so many options for Chinese language resources, which are the best Chinese Mandarin audio lessons?
Here is one of the best ways to quickly become conversational in Chinese Mandarin. They offer three comprehensive courses which will speedily teach you needed vocabulary, sentence structure and accurate pronunciation.
Pimsleur lessons use innovative teaching methods based on years of research by the renound Dr Pimsleur. The Chinese language lesson structure ensures that you retain the words/phrases learnt and that you learn to immitate the sounds of the language well. Each lesson is 30 minutes long and thoroughly enjoyable and practical for everyday situations.
Pimsleur Chinese Mandarin audio lessons are particularly good for this language, since, being a tonal language, they help the student to accurately use the four different tones and also learn to decipher them when others speak. This is essential both for understanding others and for being understood.
ChinesePod are providers of absolutely fantastic free podcast lessons. The lessons make language learning fun and more hands on, each about 10 minutes in length. They are presented in a friendly, entertaining manner, which often involves humorous day-to-day situations.
Why Use ChinesePod:
Culture: The Mandarin language and culture are so intrinsic to eachother that you can't learn one without the other. ChinesePod lessons always consider the culture behind new language being considered to help you get a feel for when and why it is used. A good example is the lesson which teaches you how to request no MSG in your food, and why this can be a challenge.
Every-Day Language: ChinesePod lessons teach how the real people speak. Each time a new phrase is introduced several translations of the same phrase are given in English. This helps you get a real feel for what a phrase really means and when to use it. This can be a plus over Pimsleur which tends to focus more on formal speach.
Your pocket: All the podcast lessons are free on the internet, to anyone, no membership required. However sign up for the 1 week free trial of the Praxis upgrade package and you will have access to many other excellent learning resources.
You may also receive the audio lessons on a cd for free, to save time on downloading.
Online Community: The free online study group facility provides a way to practice your new language and get tips or questions answered from other learners. Other learners post comments, questions and responses by each lesson. You too can get involved.
WorldNomads also invites you to Learn Chinese Mandarin on your iPod for free!
Help Others Live & Learn Chinese Mandarin
Are you learning this language or have you learned it successfully? If so, we'd love to hear about any suggestions you may have about learning the language. Which Chinese Mandarin audio lessons have you found useful? Which haven't proven that great?
Please e-mail us your findings using the form below. Your shared language learning experiences will save other language learners' time, energy, and money. In fact, that is the the mission of Live & Learn Languages!