how i memorized 1541 chinese hanzi in 3 months

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey of learning Chinese, using the Heig method (Remembering the Hanzi). Despite challenges like dyslexia and difficulties with remembering numbers, they successfully learned over 1,500 characters in a few months. The method uses visual mnemonics to link components of Hanzi to personal memories, making it easier to recall. Though the speaker eventually quit due to the method's progression not aligning with their needs, they emphasize its effectiveness for visual learners. They also offer a free tool to help others track their Hanzi learning and create personalized stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker may or may not have dyslexia, especially with numbers, which makes it hard to remember exact figures or track progress.
• 😀 The speaker has learned over 1,500 Hanzi characters using the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method by James Heisig.
• 😀 The method involves associating each Hanzi with a memorable visual story, enhancing retention for visual learners.
• 😀 The speaker shares an example of creating a visual mnemonic for the Hanzi meaning 'scattered', using a personal experience from working at Arby's.
• 😀 In the beginning, James Heisig helps provide visual stories, but eventually, learners must create their own stories to remember characters.
• 😀 The speaker used Pleco flashcards to reinforce their Hanzi learning and employed spaced repetition systems (SRS) to aid retention.
• 😀 The speaker created a GitHub program to help themselves and others track Hanzi components and associate them with personal stories.
• 😀 Book 2 of the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method differs by combining learned characters into new ones, but the speaker stopped using it as they felt they had already learned the components they needed.
• 😀 The speaker prioritizes learning words that are personally relevant to them, as opposed to learning vocabulary that feels unnecessary, like school-related terms.
• 😀 The speaker believes that learning should be tailored to individual needs, and the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method is particularly effective for visual learners who struggle with verbal explanations.
• 😀 The method does not focus on teaching pronunciation (Pinyin), which the speaker compensates for by using other resources like Pleco flashcards for learning Pinyin.

Q & A

What method did the speaker use to learn Chinese characters?

The speaker used the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method, which was popularized by James Heisig. This method focuses on associating Chinese characters with visual mnemonics and keywords to aid memorization.

How does the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method work?

The method involves breaking down Chinese characters into components based on their radicals and associating them with memorable keywords or stories. The speaker creates vivid visual stories to remember these components.

What kind of learner is the speaker, and how did this affect their learning process?

The speaker is a visual learner, which made the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method highly effective. Visual mnemonics and storytelling helped them remember characters more easily compared to other methods.

What challenges did the speaker face when first using the method?

Initially, the speaker found it difficult to create their own stories for some characters after Heisig stopped providing them. It took time for the speaker to develop these stories independently.

Why did the speaker stop using the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method after completing book one?

The speaker stopped using the method because book two was structured differently, and they felt they no longer needed the method as they had already learned most of the components. The speaker preferred to focus on more personally relevant characters.

What tool did the speaker use to reinforce their learning?

The speaker used Pleco, a flashcard app, to reinforce their learning and to review the characters they had learned. They also mentioned using a terminal program they developed to organize and track characters and stories.

How does the speaker feel about learning tones in Chinese?

The speaker does not focus on learning tones, as their goal is to read and write Chinese. They believe tones are unnecessary for achieving fluency in reading and writing, but acknowledge that they still use Pleco to learn Pinyin for text communication.

What is the speaker's opinion on learning Chinese words that are personally relevant?

The speaker believes that language learners should prioritize learning words that are relevant to their personal life and interests. This makes the learning process more engaging and practical, as opposed to memorizing unrelated vocabulary.

What does the speaker think about the absence of Pinyin in the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method?

The speaker acknowledges that the lack of Pinyin in the method is a downside, especially for learners who want to communicate in writing. However, they feel that this can be compensated for by using other resources, like Pleco, to learn pronunciation and Pinyin.

Does the speaker recommend the 'Remembering the Hanzi' method to others?

Yes, the speaker recommends the method, especially for visual learners. However, they emphasize that not every method works for everyone, and learners should find what suits their individual learning style.