323 - How to get the most out of your first semester of Chinese

Taking a Chinese course is a great way to get started, but following the syllabus alone can leave important gaps. Here’s how to avoid unnecessary detours and make your first semester count.

#learnchinese #course #semester

Link to the article this podcast episode is based on: How to get the most out of your first semester of Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-key-to-unlocking-your-first-semester-of-chinese/

How I learnt Chinese, part 2: Learning Mandarin in Sweden: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-i-learnt-chinese-part-2-foreign-language-learning-in-sweden/

How to get good grades when studying Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/studying-chinese-when-your-grades-matter/

Why you should preview before every Chinese lesson: https://www.hackingchinese.com/preview-every-chinese-lesson/

Spaced repetition software: What it is and how to use it to learn Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/an-introduction-to-spaced-repetition-software/

How to nail dictation tests in Chinese: The ultimate guide to 听写/聽寫 (tīngxiě): https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-nail-dictation-tests-in-chinese-the-ultimate-guide-to-tingxie/

Chinese character learning for all students: https://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-character-learning-for-all-students/

Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters? https://www.hackingchinese.com/should-you-learn-to-speak-chinese-before-you-learn-chinese-characters/

16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand: https://www.hackingchinese.com/reasons-to-learn-to-write-chinese-characters-by-hand/

Analyse and balance your Chinese learning with Paul Nation’s four strands: https://www.hackingchinese.com/analyse-and-balance-your-chinese-learning-with-paul-nations-four-strands/

Beginner Chinese listening practice: What to listen to and how: https://www.hackingchinese.com/beginner-chinese-listening-practice-what-to-listen-to-and-how/

The best YouTube channels for learning Chinese in 2026: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-best-youtube-channels-for-learning-chinese/

The Fluent Listener: Navigating Spoken Mandarin Like a Fish in Water: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/the-fluent-listener-navigating-mandarin-like-a-fish-in-water/

Chinese reading practice for beginners: 7 resources to improve your Mandarin: https://www.hackingchinese.com/best-chinese-reading-practice-for-beginners/

Real communication: What it is, why you want it and how to get it: https://www.hackingchinese.com/real-communication-what-it-is-why-you-want-it-and-how-to-get-it/

Classroom Mandarin: Essential expressions for learning Chinese in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/classroom-mandarin-essential-expressions-for-learning-chinese-in-chinese/

How to become fluent in Chinese: https://www.hackingchinese.com/how-to-become-fluent-in-chinese/

Unlocking Chinese: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/unlocking-chinese-ultimate-guide-beginner/

How to learn Chinese pronunciation as a beginner: https://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-pronunciation-as-a-beginner/

Chinese tones explained: The four Mandarin tones: https://www.hackingchinese.com/the-hacking-chinese-guide-to-mandarin-tones/

Improving your Chinese pronunciation by mimicking native speakers: https://www.hackingchinese.com/mimicking-native-speakers-way-learning-chinese/

Hacking Chinese Pronunciation: Speaking with Confidence: https://www.hackingchinese.com/courses/mandarin-chinese-pronunciation-course/

Take responsibility for your Chinese learning now: https://www.hackingchinese.com/take-responsibility-for-your-own-learning/

More information and inspiration about learning and teaching Chinese can be found at https://www.hackingchinese.com

Music: "Traxis 1 ~ F. Benjamin" by Traxis, 2020 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)