Why I've never used apps for learning Chinese vocab
And how RTM can help you do the same
Hey — it’s Andrew
As a reminder, you’ve only got 5 days left to grab your RTM Plus annual membership and claim 50% off!
What app do you use to learn Chinese vocab?
There are so many now…
It can be overwhelming.
And you know what?
In all of my 23+ years of learning Mandarin I’ve never used apps for learning vocab.
In fact the only app I’ve used is Pleco — for its indispensable dictionary.
But for learning characters, vocab, and phrases, my approach is low-tech.
I write things out by hand, keep a vocab notebook, and learn as I go.
Here’s how my process works:
Capture — Gather new words and phrases I come across in news articles
Chunk — Learn similar words and phrases together, in full chunks of language, not in isolation
Immerse — Combine passive and active learning, getting exposure to the same content through reading, audio, and video.
Apply — Most importantly, I look for opportunities to put what I’ve learned into practice.
Repeat — Come back to what I’ve learned by following trends to recycle familiar vocab.
As a very last step, I create word lists of what I’ve learned to complete the process.
And guess what…
This is the system I use to create RTM Plus content every week
So as a member of RTM Plus, you’re learning as I learn.
It’s the kind of stuff you’ll never find in a textbook or graded reader.
But here’s the thing:
The learning process which is best for me, might not be exactly what’s best for you.
Because language learning is personal. Everyone has their own approach.
And by the time you get to intermediate or advanced level you’ve already got your own way of learning.
So in RTM Plus I create resources every week to give you maximum flexibility.
Including word list integrations for advanced and intermediate content with all major Chinese language learning apps:
Anki
Pleco
Skiritter
Hack Chinese
Laoshi
All available with one click at the end of every post.
So, no matter how you learn, what apps you use, or how much time you have, you can access the tools you need inside RTM Plus to make real progress.
It’s a unique resource which will help you transform how you learn Chinese, and break through to the next level.
But don’t just take my word for it, here’s what one RTM Plus member says about their experience:
“The best and most efficient way I’ve found to maintain my Chinese reading, and learn new idiomatic language.
Because it’s drawn from Chinese media reports and online language, it’s also an excellent resource for keeping up with current events in China”
— Jeremy Goldkorn, Editor, The China Week
And right now you can access RTM Plus, including integrations with your favourite language learning apps, for 50% off — just $110/year instead of $220.
That’s just $2 a week — less than the price of a coffee.
This is the biggest discount I’ve ever offered.
And it’s only available until Monday 1 December at midnight.
See you on the other side!
Andrew
+++
P.S. I don’t give you the resources to transform your Chinese learning.
You also get hands-on support from me.
When you join you’ll book a 1:1 call with me so we can discuss your learning needs, and design a study plan which works for you.
And we’ll have a check-in call after the first month to make sure you’re still on track.