Learning Chinese is a huge, but attainable, undertaking. Given the right tools, you can accomplish great things. The good news is these tools don’t necessarily equate to dollar signs. There are plenty of free online resources available for studying Chinese. The collection of websites below is a sampling of what’s out there and how they measure up.
1) Anki
Anki is a flashcard application for your computer or mobile device that uses a spaced repetition program to help you learn more effectively. The program supports various types of content, including text, images, audio, and videos. Download at: http://ankisrs.net.
Pros | Cons |
Allows you to create your own flashcards or download user-created lists | Can be a bit complicated at first; takes time to learn how it works |
Operates based on your prior performance, allowing you to learn more effectively | Some of the more advanced features aren’t very user-friendly |
Flexible and customizable | iOS app costs $25, though AnkiWeb is free |
Available on practically all devices | Geared toward more serious studiers |
Allows you to sync with AnkiWeb for web-based study |
2) FluentU
A new way to learn Chinese through authentic video content such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks. Each video features interactive subtitles allowing you to get more information about individual characters, create vocabulary lists, and review content from the videos you’ve watched. Visit at: www.fluentu.com.
Pros | Cons |
Unique approach to learning with engaging and comprehensive video content | Videos are sourced from YouTube, posing a problem for users in mainland China |
Learn the language while also exploring the diversity and vibrancy of modern Chinese culture | Relatively new website that’s still improving and working out the kinks |
Interactive captions allow you to get more from the videos and create your own vocabulary lists | There is no mobile app currently available |
Learn from authentic content that you’ll be able to use in today’s society |
3) Lang-8
Lang-8 focuses on writing in a foreign language. It is a social website that lets you write journal entries in the language you’re learning and then get those journal entries corrected by native speakers of that language. You can also help others learn your native language by correcting their writing. Visit at: http://lang-8.com.
Pros | Cons |
Provides a free platform for practicing writing | Geared toward more advanced students |
Offers a two-way learning environment with a very friendly and helpful community | Beginning students might not understand the corrections/grammar |
If you help others out, your entries will get corrected very quickly | Requires a commitment to writing on a frequent basis to get the full effect |
A great way to meet other Chinese learners |
4) Livemocha
Livemocha focuses on learning a foreign language through courses and communications. To learn Chinese online, you can start a Chinese course, submit your answers, and chat with the members whose native language is Chinese. Visit at: http://livemocha.com.
Pros | Cons |
Free access to native speakers, language tools, and exercises | You need to review others’ submissions in exchange for more detailed courses |
Includes a variety of courses for studying as well as outlets for practicing the language | Some of the grammar isn’t explained very well |
Offers a chat function to talk with native speakers around the world |
5) OpenCourseWare
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content. OCW is open and available to the world. Through this program, MIT provides the content of some of its courses to anyone who would like to access them via the Web. For Chinese language learners, an array of courses are available from beginning to advanced levels. Visit at: http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
Pros | Cons |
Communicate with other students around the world through active discussion groups | Takes some time to get used to the structure of the course and organization of content |
Download the same content that is used in the online course | Requires a higher level of commitment to self-study |
Course content features downloadable textbooks, supplemental study materials, & audio/video files | No online study tools to track progress or organize vocabulary |
Courses are downloadable and portable | Limited to a selection of courses |
6) Skritter
Skritter is a focused learning tool for helping you learn and remember Chinese characters. The website doesn’t teach other aspects of the language, just focuses strictly on writing and recognizing characters. Skritter allows you to study the words that are important to you by choosing from a variety of vocabulary lists, and helps you to learn them as fast as possible through their calculated methods. While Skritter is not free, it's a pretty great system that deserves mention (and there is a one week free trial available). Visit at: http://www.skritter.cn
Pros | Cons |
Vocabulary lists have been compiled from 181 different textbooks | Requires a paid subscription of $14.99 a month, but they do offer a one week free trial |
Helps you learn characters faster by requiring you to write them from scratch | Targeted specifically toward the skill of writing, may not be necessary for all learners |
Vocabulary lists you’ve added are still available after your subscription expires | May require the purchase of additional hardware as writing characters with a mouse can be difficult |
Teaches the correct stroke order as you go | The app version is only available on iOS |
Learn anywhere with the Skritter iOS app |
Other tools
Blogs about learning Chinese
Online dictionaries
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Keywords: Free online Chinese resources Free Chinese language learning tools
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www.trainchinese.com is quite good too as it enables you to create flashcard lists that link to a dictionary and example sentences that give examples of grammar usage.
Feb 11, 2013 19:33 Report Abuse
FluentU uses YouTube videos, which are not available in China. What the heck? Thought I would give it a try but it is no use.
Jan 29, 2013 07:36 Report Abuse