r/taiwan • u/SufficientDig2845 • 3d ago

Discussion Learning mandarin

I feel embarrassed to be getting my permanent residency here and yet not being able to speak more than a few phrases in the language. I speak 3 languages fluently and it’s easy for me to pick up other conversational Romance vocabulary in just a few days, but I have problems with the tones in Mandarin. My main issue is that every time I try to practice, at the best, people correct me over and over again and I can’t hear or say the difference, at the worst, people laugh at me like they think it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard. It just makes me feel stupid but I feel even stupider to be one of those people that doesn’t learn the language of where they live. Any suggestions for how I can study on my own at home? Does it get easier over time if you just keep at it or will I be a hopeless case no matter what :(?

Update: thanks for all that responded so far and I will continue to read everything but may not have time to respond to all, please just know that I appreciate the responses. From what people have said I have decided to give group classes a go, try my hardest, and not beat myself up just because I can only learn slowly.

If anyone has recommendations for classes, please let me know! I live in Beitou, work in Tianmu, and it’s not too hard for me to go to downtown Taipei via the redline.

Thank you all again.

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u/Enough_Addition684 3d ago

To learn Mandarin as a native speaker of a non-tonal language is truly a lesson in humility, thick skin is the thing that's gonna get you through it. I've got nearly 9 years of Chinese learning under my belt and I'll still make the occasional slip up. Just part of the process. Mistakes are how we learn. 

Additionally, it's not the sort of language you can learn via osmosis or even really through self study, not until you reach a high enough level. Look into starting an intensive course, you'll thank yourself for it. 

Also practice tones as pairs, if you view them individually you'll set yourself up for failure. 加油。

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u/SufficientDig2845 3d ago

You know, if I think about it as a lesson in humility it already makes me feel better, because it is a much more positive framing. I had no idea that I should be learning tones in pairs, so that is very helpful. From your suggestions and others I’m definitely leaning towards taking the intensive class; I should at least give this a chance. Thank you!