In the business of your language learning schedule, have you ever stopped to ask yourself the important question: "Am I actually learning what I need?"

As I observe students of Chinese, I notice that they use different learning strategies, some which are more effective than others. What are some of their good strategies which will help you acquire Chinese faster than the average student?

For the language learner, motivation is an important topic for the vital reason that the motivated learner will always surpass the unmotivated learner in performance and outcome.

1. Where and How to Practice
   (Focusing on Output) Gives suggestions for places to practice and how to make the most of the opportunities.

2. Measuring Progress
   (Where am I Going? How am I Doing?) Sets out 5 levels of proficiency, as well as showing a way of how to measure your present proficiency level in Chinese.

3. Where am I Aiming For?
   Post full-time language study goal setting.

4. What the Good Language Learner Can Teach Us
   A look at the good language learner's learning strategies.

5. Are You an Optimal Monitor User?
   Getting the balance between gaining in accuracy and gaining in fluency.

6. How to Study
   Suggestions on how to prepare for class, making the most of classtime, and reviewing lessons.

7. Who are the High Achievers?
   What are the characteristics of those who do well in Chinese?

8. Overcoming the Barriers I
9. Overcoming the Barriers II
   A look at the psychological barriers that affect our progress in Chinese.

10. Language Learner Strategies I
11. Language Learner Strategies II
    A list of helpful memory and communication strategies.

12. Some Good Language Learners
    A look at 3 good language learners and 3 poor language learners.

13. Maintaining Motivation I
14. Maintaining Motivation II
    How to maintain motivation both during and after full-time language study.

15. Learning Styles I
16. Learning Styles II
17. Learning Styles III
18. Learning Styles IV
    How our mind, body and personality all affect how we learn languages.

19. Some Good Textbooks
    A list of good textbooks, dictionaries, grammar reference books, and books on language learning.

20. Memorizing Vocabulary
    A simple method for getting vocabulary into your long-term memory.

21. Anxiety in Language Learning -- Coming Soon
    A look at how anxiety can affect language learning progress and how to handle it.

Home | Articles | FAQ | Schools | BBS