HSK 1–2 | 为什么学了很久还是不会说中文？| Why You Still Can’t Speak Chinese?

Summary

In this episode of *Everyday Chinese*, hosts Wang Yu and Li Ming explore the common struggle of learners who can understand Chinese but are afraid to speak it. They highlight three main reasons: fear of making mistakes, lack of speaking practice, and perfectionism. The hosts share personal stories and offer practical advice, including talking to yourself, finding a language partner, and practicing real-world conversations. The emphasis is on overcoming barriers to speaking, encouraging learners to aim for communication rather than perfection, and to practice regularly to build confidence and fluency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fear of making mistakes is the primary barrier to speaking Chinese. Many learners are afraid to speak because they worry about making errors.
• 😀 Language is for communication, not perfection. It's okay to make mistakes, as long as your meaning is understood.
• 😀 Overthinking and trying to speak perfectly can hinder your progress. Focus on communicating rather than being flawless.
• 😀 Just like learning to swim, language learning requires physical practice. It's not enough to just read and listen; speaking is essential.
• 😀 Speaking Chinese is a physical habit. Your mouth and tongue need practice to get used to producing Chinese sounds.
• 😀 If you're only reading and listening without speaking, you're not practicing enough 'output' to improve your speaking ability.
• 😀 An analogy to swimming helps explain why understanding Chinese isn't enough—your body needs practice to 'speak' the language.
• 😀 Aiming for 'finished' rather than 'perfect' sentences helps build confidence. Even if your sentence is simple, it’s better than not speaking at all.
• 😀 Don't let the fear of mistakes stop you. Start speaking, even if your sentence is imperfect. Communication is more important than perfection.
• 😀 Methods to improve speaking include talking to yourself, finding a language partner, or speaking with real people in simple conversations.
• 😀 A language partner or even casual conversations with locals (like a fruit shop owner) can provide real-world practice and boost confidence.

Q & A

Why do many learners struggle to speak Chinese despite knowing many characters?

Many learners struggle because of a fear of making mistakes. They are often afraid of their pronunciation, grammar, or the possibility of being laughed at by others, which prevents them from speaking freely.

What psychological barrier do learners face when trying to speak a foreign language?

Learners face a 'psychological barrier' where they want to speak but feel blocked by fear or anxiety. This results in a lack of confidence, making it difficult for them to communicate even though they know the language theoretically.

What personal experience does Wang Yu share about learning English?

Wang Yu shares that, like many learners, he struggled with fear when speaking English. He knew many words but was paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes, which made him unable to speak even though he understood the language.

What advice did Wang Yu's Chinese teacher give him that helped him overcome his fear of speaking?

Wang Yu's teacher advised him that language is for communication, not for exams. It's okay to make mistakes, as long as the meaning is understood. This advice helped him become braver and more willing to speak.

How does the analogy of learning to swim relate to speaking Chinese?

The analogy compares learning to speak Chinese to learning to swim. Just like reading books about swimming is not enough to actually swim, learning to speak requires practice. Without speaking, the body doesn't develop the habit of producing the language, just like a swimmer cannot learn to swim without getting into the water.

What does 'input' and 'output' mean in the context of language learning?

'Input' refers to absorbing knowledge, like reading books and listening to lessons, while 'output' is the practice of using the language, such as speaking or writing. Both are necessary for language learning, but many learners focus too much on input and neglect output, which limits their speaking ability.

Why is focusing only on 'input' and not practicing 'output' a problem for language learners?

Focusing only on 'input' without practicing 'output' means learners accumulate knowledge but do not practice using the language. This prevents them from developing the physical ability to speak, much like reading about swimming without actually practicing it in water.

What advice did Wang Yu give to Mary, a student who struggles with speaking Chinese?

Wang Yu advised Mary to stop focusing on perfection and aim for 'finished' instead of 'perfect.' He suggested that making mistakes is normal and that the important thing is to communicate, even if the sentence is not perfect.

What is the 'talk to yourself' method, and how does it help in learning Chinese?

The 'talk to yourself' method involves speaking in Chinese about what you see and experience throughout the day. This practice helps learners think in Chinese and build a connection between their brain and mouth, reducing the fear of speaking and improving fluency.

How can finding a 'language partner' help in learning Chinese?

A language partner provides a real person to practice with, allowing learners to improve their speaking and listening skills in an authentic context. It also exposes learners to everyday language and cultural nuances that textbooks do not teach.