Chinese characters

Les Chinese characters , true works of art in themselves, are the very essence of Chinese writing. Each character represents not only a sound, but also a meaning. It is important to understand that these characters are not symbols that convey ideas and concepts. It's fascinating to see how a single character can tell a story or describe a scene on its own. We recommend that you start with the most common characters, gradually building them into your vocabulary. This makes learning both more manageable and more accessible.

Pinyin and tones

Let's move on to pinyin and tones, two equally crucial aspects of the Chinese language. Pinyin is a romanisation system that transcribes the sounds of Chinese characters into letters of the alphabet. It is an invaluable tool for beginners, as it makes learning pronunciation much easier. Tones are fundamental in Chinese. There are four main tones, each of which can radically change the meaning of a word. of a word. Pinyin, combined with a good understanding of tones, is the basis for mastering Chinese pronunciation. Don't underestimate their importance: the same syllable, pronounced with different tones, can have completely different meanings. completely different meanings.

Here's the most classic example, and the one we usually use to learn tones:

• 妈 (mā) -> mother
• 麻 (má) -> hemp
• 马 (mǎ) -> horse
• 骂 (mà) -> to insult
• 吗 (ma) -> interrogative particle

It's the same ‘ma’ sound but pronounced with 5 different tones and therefore 5 different meanings.

Desired level of mastery

First of all, let's look at the desired level of mastery:

Beginner : Pour les débutants, l'objectif est souvent d'acquérir des compétences de base en communication. Cela comprend la compréhension de phrases simples et la capacité à répondre à des questions courantes. À ce niveau, l'accent est mis sur l'acquisition d'un vocabulaire élémentaire et la familiarisation avec les structures de base.

Intermediate : En atteignant un niveau intermédiaire, tu t’engages à comprendre des textes plus complexes et à communiquer avec plus de fluidité. Cela inclut la capacité de gérer des situations quotidiennes avec aisance et d'exprimer des idées avec une certaine clarté.

Advanced : Enfin, pour les avancées, l'objectif est d'atteindre une maîtrise quasi-native. Cela implique une compréhension approfondie des nuances, la capacité de participer à des conversations complexes et l'usage de la langue dans un contexte professionnel ou académique.

Learner profile

Next, let's look at the learner profile:

Age : Bien que l'âge ne soit pas un obstacle à l'apprentissage, les méthodes et le rythme d'apprentissage peuvent varier. Les jeunes apprenants ont souvent une plus grande flexibilité phonétique, tandis que les adultes peuvent bénéficier d'une meilleure compréhension des nuances grammaticales.

Languages previously learnt : Si tu as déjà appris une langue asiatique, comme le japonais ou le coréen, certains aspects du chinois peuvent te sembler familiers. Cela va accélérer ton apprentissage.

Availability and personal commitment : Enfin, et c'est peut-être le plus important, ta disponibilité et ton engagement personnel jouent un rôle crucial. Un apprentissage régulier et engagé mène à de meilleurs résultats.

Traditional classroom courses

Traditional courses offer a structure and learning framework that can be beneficial for beginners. On average, to reach an intermediate level, it takes around 2 to 3 years of regular lessons, at a rate of 4 to 5 hours per week. For advanced levels, this can extend to 4 or 5 years, depending on the intensity and quality of the teaching.

E-learning and application

E-learning and applications are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their flexibility and accessibility. They often enable you to learn the basics more quickly. For a beginner to intermediate level, expect to spend 1 to 2 years, with daily use of around 1 to 2 hours. However, reaching an advanced level exclusively with these methods can be more difficult without real interaction.

Immersion and language exchanges

Total immersion in a Chinese environment is undoubtedly the quickest way to learn. An immersion stay of 6 months to 1 year can enable a beginner to reach an intermediate level. If you extend the experience up to 2 years can lead to advanced proficiency, especially if the immersion is supplemented by formal study and daily practice.

Self-learning and free resources

Self-study, although requiring a great deal of discipline and motivation, can be very effective, especially if you use a variety of resources. To go from beginner to intermediate level, it could take 2 to 3 years of of regular independent study. Reaching an advanced level could take more than 5 years, depending on the amount of time invested on a daily basis and the variety of learning materials used.

These times are general estimates and may vary considerably depending on the individual. The key to success lies in regular practice and the ability to engage actively in the learning process, whatever method you choose.

Beginner level: the basics

It will take you around 3 to 6 months to acquire the basics of Chinese. This includes understanding simple sentences, introducing yourself, asking basic questions and recognising and using the most common characters. characters. At this stage, you will begin to familiarise yourself with tones and pinyin, essential elements of pronunciation. We recommend regular practice, ideally every day, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Intermediate level: consolidation

Reaching an intermediate level generally requires a further 1 year of study after mastering the basics. This means a better understanding of grammatical structures, an increased ability to read more complex texts and more fluent communication. At this level, you will be encouraged to expand your vocabulary and immerse yourself in more varied listening and speaking situations to strengthen your understanding and response.

Advanced level: mastery and perfection

Reaching an advanced level may require 2 to 3 years of additional learning, depending on your commitment and the immersion opportunities you have. This stage is marked by a subtle understanding of the nuances of the language, the ability to understand and produce complex texts, and conversational fluency approaching that of a native speaker. and produce complex texts, and conversational fluency approaching that of a native speaker. The emphasis is on refining your command of tones, expanding your specialist vocabulary, and immersing yourself in a variety of cultural and professional contexts. and professional contexts.

Remember, these times are estimates and can vary depending on many factors, including your mother tongue, your language learning ability, your exposure to the language and, above all, your personal commitment. The key is perseverance and regular practice. We're here to support you every step of the way.