Listening to Chinese podcasts is an excellent way to improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. If you listen to podcasts regularly, combined with 1-on-1 online Chinese lessons, you get an immersive Chinese learning environment that will help you improve your Chinese faster. Below are 5 interesting Chinese podcasts that you must know about to boost your Chinese proficiency.…
Almost without exception, every holiday, especially ones only celebrated in certain parts of the world, have specific foods associated with them. American Thanksgivings feature roast turkey, Greeks prepare lamb for Christmas, and saffron buns are baked for St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden. Chinese holidays are no exception, with the Dragon Boat Festival’s steamed rice dumplings and Mid-Autumn Festival moon cakes.…
In the IB Chinese B exam, the writing section includes the analysis of editorials. Editorials are a vital form of commentary that represent a newspaper’s stance on significant issues. Their format generally includes several key components:
In Chinese culture, numbers are imbued with deep meanings and often symbolize good fortune and auspiciousness. In this article, we delve into nine popular Chinese idioms that feature the numbers 1 to 9. Each idiom not only conveys a powerful message but also reflects the rich cultural values that underpin the language.…
Preparing for the HSK 1 exam is an exciting journey into the world of Mandarin Chinese. This foundational test assesses your ability to understand and use simple Chinese phrases and sentences. To help you study effectively and achieve success, here are five key strategies, along with practical tips.…
In the healthcare field, many professionals find that even after learning some Chinese, they still struggle with effective communication. You might be unsure how to ask essential medical questions, explain treatment plans, or name common medical supplies. These challenges can lead to misunderstandings with Chinese-speaking patients, compromising the quality of care you provide.…
Here’s a guide on the format for the survey section of the IB Chinese B exam’s writing component, which is less commonly tested. The survey section typically follows a specific structure and guidelines to ensure clarity, logical flow, and ease of understanding for respondents. A standard survey format generally includes several key components.…
In today’s globalized economy, mastering Business Chinese can significantly enhance your career prospects. Whether you’re aiming to expand your business ventures in China or improve your professional skill set, learning Business Chinese efficiently is crucial. Here are five actionable strategies to help you accelerate your study.…
Today, we’ve compiled a guide on the format for formal letters commonly used in the writing section of the IB Chinese B exam, specifically for professional texts. This format typically adheres to certain structural and formatting standards to ensure clear communication and professionalism. Below is a standard format example suitable for business, academic, or official correspondence:
[Letterhead of the company/institution/individual, typically including the company name, address, phone number, and email, positioned at the top center or slightly to the right]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Title (if applicable)]
[Company/Institution Name]
[Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Country]
Dear [Recipient’s Name or Title]:
[Start the body of the letter, leaving one line space]
First of all, allow me to extend my sincere greetings on behalf of [Your Company/Institution/Yourself] regarding [briefly state the purpose of the letter].…
The HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is a globally recognized exam that measures Chinese language proficiency for non-native speakers. Transitioning from HSK4 to HSK5 represents a significant shift, from an intermediate level to an advanced one. This leap introduces a deeper understanding of Chinese vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and writing, requiring a more nuanced engagement with both the language and its cultural context.…
As the year embraces September, so too will Chinese people begin to embrace the nearing Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved from “sacrificing the moon” ceremonies. So the Autumn Equinox in ancient times and has become a precious cultural heritage. To give you an idea of what it’s like: adults usually indulge in moon cakes of different varieties with a good cup of piping hot Chinese tea, while the youngsters run about with brightly-lit lanterns.…
Many adult beginners learning Mandarin experience anxiety during communication, which can sometimes lead to giving up. However, this is a normal part of the language learning process. Here are some practical strategies to help you overcome communication fears and achieve fluency.
First, it is essential to acknowledge and embrace this anxiety.…
The “Mid-Autumn Festival” (中秋节 zhōng qiū jié) is one of the most celebrated traditional festivals in China. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a date associated with the full moon, symbolizing reunion, peace, and harmony. People across China and other parts of Asia gather with their families, admire the moon, and enjoy mooncakes.…
As you advance in your Chinese language studies and work toward mastering HSK 4, the importance of understanding colloquial expressions cannot be overstated. These expressions are a key to navigating real-life conversations and grasping the subtleties of modern Chinese. Today I will introduce you to 10 essential colloquial expressions that are vital for passing HSK 4 and deepening your cultural insight.…
The Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in China. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually occurs in late September or early October. This festival has a long history and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture.…
To get ready for the individual writing tasks in IB Chinese B, it’s essential to become familiar with various personal text formats, such as blogs, diaries, emails, personal letters, and social media posts or chatroom entries. In this article, we’ll cover some effective strategies to help you prepare for this section of the exam.…
The Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) of IB Chinese B differ in several key aspects. This article outlines the distinctions between these two examination levels.
Standard Level (SL): This level is designed for foreign students who have a basic interest in Chinese.…
In the AP Chinese writing task where students are asked to write a story based on 4 pictures, many test-takers struggle because they don’t fully understand the images. This can make it difficult to describe what’s happening in the pictures, leading to lower scores. However, even in this situation, there are still strategies that can help maximize their score potential.…
The free-response speaking section of the AP Chinese exam really tests a student’s ability to think on their feet. To handle this part with confidence and fluency, targeted practice in several key areas is essential. This article provides some useful strategies to help students prepare for this challenging section.…
