I’ve been learning Mandarin Chinese, and this is my 1 year update! I start off with a short skit of me speaking Mandarin (please note, this is scripted and heavily rehearsed / edited). Then I go through how I use TV and movies to learn (aka, input-based learning). I start off with an overview of my approach, and then deep dive into several areas (including how I’m consuming input, learning vocabulary, practicing output using ChatGPT, and tracking my progress).

This is a long one, so please use the timestamps below to skip around.

Enjoy!

🕒 Timestamps

0:00 Skit in Mandarin
2:02 Introduction
4:22 Overall Approach - Overview
10:32 Overall Approach - Pronunciation
15:21 Overall Approach - Vocabulary
17:59 Overall Approach - Input (aka media)
23:08 Overall Approach - Grammar
23:49 Overall Approach - Output
24:24 Input - Where I get media, and how I manage it using Plex
29:18 Input - How I consume media
30:47 Input - Using Language Reactor and LingQ to consume media more easily
34:40 Input - Using Notion to keep track of content
38:23 Input - Custom graded readers using ChatGPT
43:06 Vocab - Keeping track of words that I know (LingQ, Notion)
48:23 Vocab - Making SRS flashcards (Skritter)
51:52 Output - ChatGPT as a dictionary and translator on steroids
56:25 Output - ChatGPT to correct my writing
58:32 Output - ChatGPT as a chat buddy
1:02:17 Output - ChatGPT for speaking practice (shadowing)
1:04:28 Tracking Progress - Summary stats as of 5/7/24
1:11:42 Tracking Progress - Detailed stats over time
1:15:21 Tracking Progress - % words known in content
1:17:47 Conclusion

📚 Resources referenced in this video

— Input based learning —

Input-based hypothesis - An overview on the input-based method for language learning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Input_h... input hypothesis.,next stage of language acquisition/

Refold - The language learning platform that I have taken a lot of ideals from: https://refold.la/



— Tools —

Anki - SRS flashcard software (can be used for language learning, or anything else you want to memorize): https://apps.ankiweb.net/

Skritter - SRS flashcard software specifically for Chinese: https://skritter.com/

Language Reactor - Tool that lets you overlay titles in multiple languages over video from sites such as YouTube & Netflix, use pop-up dictionary, and color coding to keep track of what words you know: https://www.languagereactor.com/

LingQ - Tool that lets you import written texts (such as books, articles), use pop-up dictionary, and color coding to keep track of what words you know: https://www.lingq.com/

Chinese Word Helper (Custom GPT) - Dictionary that gives definitions between words, tells you the nuances between two or more words, or translates a sentence: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-OpcuGlaJK-chi...

Toggl - App I’m using to track how much time I am spending learning: https://track.toggl.com/
Chinese Text Analyzer - Tool that can calculate what % of words you know in a given text, assuming you can provide the tool a list of words you know: https://www.chinesetextanalyser.com/



— Other useful resources —

Memory Palaces Approach - Video by Mandarin Blueprint overviewing the pneumonic approach I use to memorize Chinese vocabulary:    • How To Master Any Chinese Character I...  

Chinese Grammar Wiki - My main “grammar” source for Chinese. It has short bite-sized articles on different grammar points. You can read all for free online, or they also have a physical book which I bought and love: https://resources.allsetlearning.com/...



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Finally, I mentioned in the video that I would include my un-corrected script for the opening skit. I didn’t use any dictionaries or external help for writing this version of it, so it’s a good representation of my current writing skill (including all of my errors and awkward language). Note that I put this into ChatGPT and got some corrections and suggestions, which I incorporated for the actual version of the skit I performed. So what you see in the video is different. But if you want to see the unedited (and more error filled) version, see below.

弟弟：大哥， 你吃饭了吗？
大哥：我不吃饭了，我的肚子好饿！
弟弟：为什么你没吃饭了？
大哥：因为我需要学习中文。
弟弟：你是怎么学习？使用哪个方法？
大哥：那么，每天我看这个书2小时，然后上课一个小时。然后需要这些 flashcards.
弟弟：大哥，不不不， 你在干嘛？
大哥：怎么了？
弟弟：我发现了更好的方法，如果你使用它， 学会中文会更容易。
大哥：你的方法是什么？
弟弟：我看电影，看书。 没有课，没有老师。
大哥：真的吗？你成功了学会中文吗？
弟弟：当然！这个方法叫 “input-based learning”
大哥： 好吧，告诉我中文的东西。
弟弟：好吧。(Note: the following are some quotes from movies)
怎么回事！
快点儿走！
发现目标！开火！
原力会与你同在。
大哥：好像你只学会在电影说的东西。没用！
弟弟：我不同意， 非常有用。我学会很多词，我了解很多事。最重要的事，很好玩。
大哥：好吧，好吧。让我试试。。。