Language Learning: Accent vs Pronunciation
Which is more important for language learning: focusing on a good accent or good pronunciation? The majority of hard-core, nerdy, nitty-picky language blogs on the net promote having an authentic-sounding or ‘native’ accent as being the ‘holy grail’ of language learning. I’m not saying having a decent accent isn’t important, or that your accent isn’t worth working on, but it definitely...
Best Ways to Learn Chinese Vocabulary in 2019
So what is the best way to learn Chinese vocabulary? When investing time into learning a language, you want to see quick and consistent results. Below I’d like to share my personal method for learning Chinese vocabulary – hopefully you can find it useful or modify it to suit your needs! My Method for Learning Chinese Vocabulary I developed my method after learning about the way my own brain works. As such, it may need to...
GUEST POST: Finding motivation in language learning – Todd Neve
Finding motivation in language learning Todd Neve Of course we would all love to speak another language. But few are willing to commit the time to learn it. Even less are able to stay motivated for the time and effort it takes to become fluent. My own language journey started in school, like everyone else’s. And like almost everyone around me, I bitterly despised those French classes. It felt like I was being forced to learn what I...
Chinese Interview on SBS Mandarin
Hi guys! I’ve actually been neglecting my Chinese in recent months due to my return to law school (and reality) – however a couple of weeks ago I was interviewed in Chinese by SBS’s Mandarin channel about living in China, learning Chinese and about Asia Options (an organisation I’m a part of). It was broadcast today. The interview was actually on the day of my Chinese oral exam at University – it was a...
The Danger of Perfectionism
CHINA UPDATE: I’m back in Australia! I was in Nanjing for just over 5 months at Nanjing University. It was a phenomenal experience, my Chinese improved immensely and I had a ridiculous amount of fun. I find myself continually daydreaming about the time I spent over there. I did quite a lot of travelling and feel like I have a good grasp of what the country is all about and what it stands for (and yet there is infinitely more to...
Welcome to Chinese Breeze
We love learning the Chinese language!
This website is a collaboration of a number of Chinese language learners, which started with Dan Poole and has continued to include Kevin Peters, Josh Summers and others. It's our desire that you can learn from our experiences learning Mandarin Chinese!