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Forget what you’ve been told—learning a new language isn’t about talent. I know this because I’ve helped dozens of students go from zero to conversational fluency (and beyond) in Mandarin. What really matters? The right mindset, approach, and consistency.
In this post, I’ll share my top 5 tips for mastering any language quickly—backed by over 10 years of teaching experience and my own journey raising trilingual kids. Ready to get started? Keep reading! Prefer video format? Check out my YouTube video.
1. Start Speaking from Day One
One thing I realised early on as a language teacher is this: getting students to speak from day one is an absolute game-changer.
Even if a student came to me as a total beginner with zero knowledge of Mandarin, my goal for that first lesson was always the same—to have them confidently saying their first phrases by the end of it. Why? Because speaking right away flips the “language switch” in your brain. It boosts confidence, shatters that fear of speaking, and reinforces the idea that language is a tool for real-life interaction, not just grammar exercises.
I’ve seen how powerful this can be time and time again. For example, students who start speaking early—even with simple phrases like “Ni hao” (hello) or “Ni jiao shenme mingzi?” (what’s your name?)—feel a surge of motivation that keeps them going.
How to Start Speaking from Day One:
• Begin with one or two basic phrases, like introducing yourself, and say them out loud.
• Speak to yourself, your pet, or even your reflection in the mirror—it all counts!
• If you’re working with a tutor, ask them to focus on useful, everyday phrases immediately.
• In a classroom, volunteer to speak, even if it’s just repeating what the teacher says.
When I was learning Russian, I used iTalki for 1-to-1 online lessons, and it was a game-changer. Nothing beats practising with a real person—and it’s affordable, especially if you live in a pricey country like the UK!
2. Follow a Structured Learning Plan
This tip might not sound glamorous, but trust me—it’s essential. When you’re starting out, it’s easy to get distracted by different materials and lose focus. A solid, structured plan helps you stay on track and build a strong foundation.
A Tale of Two Students:
One of my former students, Paul, came to me as a total beginner in Mandarin. We followed a structured textbook series (步步高中文) written by my SOAS professor, sticking to it consistently over two years. By the time we finished, he had progressed from A1 to B2 and could confidently hold conversations.
Contrast that with another student, Adam, who was naturally talented but didn’t like structured learning. He jumped between different resources, eventually became frustrated, and gave up.
This shows that talent isn’t the key to success—a solid plan is. Think of it like building a house: you need a strong foundation before you can add the fancy stuff.
3. Find Content That You LOVE (Compelling Content)
Learning a language feels effortless when you’re engaging with content you LOVE. Let me tell you a slightly embarrassing story to prove this point.
Back in 1997, I became OBSESSED with American boy bands like Hanson and the Backstreet Boys. I would sing along to their CDs on repeat, reading the lyrics from the booklet and looking up words I didn’t know. I even created a Hanson fan website (complete with a rainbow background!) and wrote fan letters to them.
Without realising it, I was mastering all four language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—just by indulging in my obsession. English quickly became my strongest subject, all thanks to boy bands!
How to Find Your “Hanson”:
• Identify what you love—football, music, cooking, beauty, whatever—and find content in your target language.
• Watch YouTube videos, read blogs, or follow social media accounts that align with your interests.
• Make it fun and personal—this is what will keep you motivated.
I do the same with my students and kids. For example, my son recently watched a Minecraft video in Mandarin, and his interest (and vocabulary) skyrocketed. Find what makes you tick, and you’ll progress faster than you expect.
4. Incorporate Language into Your Daily Life
The more you weave a language into your daily routine, the faster you’ll learn. This doesn’t have to mean carving out hours of study time. Instead, it’s about making small, intentional changes.
When I was learning Russian, I listened to RussianPod101 during my commute and binge-watched YouTube videos from Russian with Max. Those habits became part of my daily life, and I saw huge improvements without even feeling like I was “studying.”
Practical Tips to Incorporate Language:
• Switch your phone or social media language settings.
• Follow accounts in your target language on Instagram or TikTok.
• Listen to music or podcasts while cooking or exercising.
• Use “habit stacking” (from James Clear’s Atomic Habits)—e.g., pair your morning coffee with reading or listening in the language.
Small daily efforts add up. Consistency is far more powerful than occasional long study sessions!
5. Practice Little and Often
The secret to success? Practice little and often. Short, consistent bursts of practice are more effective than sporadic marathons.
One of my students, Joe, initially thought he wasn’t “talented” enough to learn Mandarin. But he committed to regular, consistent practice, filling notebooks with vocab and working steadily over five years. By the end, he was conversationally fluent and even managed to call out someone in China for being rude: “Ni tai mei limao le!”
With my kids, I use the same principle. We do 15-30 minutes of reading and writing in Chinese every day. It doesn’t sound like much, but over the years, this consistency has led to steady, meaningful progress.
Bonus Tip: Know Your Why
If you’ve made it this far, here’s one last piece of advice: find your “why.”
Why do you want to learn this language? Is it to connect with family? Explore a new culture? For me, at age 11, my “why” was my teenage crush on Taylor Hanson. (It didn’t work out, but hey, I learned English!)
Whatever your reason, write it down and keep it visible. On tough days, it will remind you why you started—and help you keep going.
Learning a new language doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, mindset, and a bit of consistency, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you progress.
Let me know which tip resonated most with you—or share your own language-learning hacks in the comments. And don’t forget to check out my video on the secrets of a bilingual brain or read the blog post if you’re looking for even more inspiration!
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