Tips for success in this class

1. Plan to dedicate at least 2 hours of work outside of class for every hour you spend in class. Remember that language learning takes time and is a process.
2. Use what you already know about the language(s) you speak as a springboard
3. You need to be aware that there are three distinct areas that you need to work on: grammar (sentence patterns), vocabulary and oral proficiency

Grammar:

The best approach is to study each topic before it is covered in class, so you can participate activity in class, then, the classroom activities, if any questions remain b sure to ask for clarification about th rules and any expectations. You will want to review grammar even when we move on to other topics, in order to cement what you have learned into your long-term memory, so that you don't forget it before the test.

Vocabulary:

First strategy: try to link new vocabulary to what you already know. For example, means..., you can imagine...that visual image will help cement the sounds in your memory. You can use the same method to memorize ...for example, 

Second strategy: take a piece of lined paper. Fold the two sides in, to make three equal columns, open the paper again. Start by writing the Chinese (including pinyin) down the left column. Then write the English in the second column. Then fold the flap over the Chinese in the first column, and try writing the Chinese in column three without looking at column1. You can repeat the same on the back page of the paper.

Another tool for vocabulary building is the simple flashcard-3X5 cards with Chinese on one side and English on the other. Of course, simply making flashcards isn;t going to help much; you have to actually use them! And, there is a specific way to use them that really works well. Start out with a small stack of cards. As you learn certain words, take those cards out of the stack, and put them in a safe place. By taking out the words you know, you can concentrate more fully on the ones that you haven't yet learned. When you are assigned new words, add them to the first stack. When you have more words mastered, move them to the other stack. Every once in a while, perhaps twice a wee, and certainly before test, go through the stack that you have already learned, just for review. This should go very quickly.  If you find that you have forgotten a word, move it back to the other stack for more intensive study. You can always move it back to the "learned" stack again later.

Now, here is a sure-fire tip that is guaranteed to work: ALWAYS CARRY SOME FLASHCARDS WITH YOU! This will allow you to study them at times when you normally would be doing nothing-standing in line, riding the bus, waiting for class to start, etc. You can turn "wasted" time into productive study time.

Don't forget to study the flashcard :both ways," that is, sometimes use them with "English up," and sometimes use them with "Chinese"up.

Fourth strategy:

Record your voice saying and spelling the vocabulary words (including articles, and speak the accents). Listen and repeat aloud.