You’ve bought the textbooks, downloaded the apps, maybe even memorized hundreds of flashcards—but you still feel stuck. Ever wonder what your Chinese teacher is actually thinking?
After teaching thousands of students, here’s what most Chinese teachers secretly wish you knew—things that could make your learning faster, smoother, and much more fun.
1. You Don’t Need More Words—You Need More Sentences
Many students focus on building vocabulary lists like:
- “租 (zū)” = to rent
- “丢 (diū)” = to lose
- “约 (yuē)” = to make an appointment
But what teachers really want to see is you using them in real phrases like:
Wǒ xiǎng zū yí liàng diàndòngchē.
我想租一辆电动车。
I want to rent an electric scooter.
Wǒ bǎ qiánbāo diū le!
我把钱包丢了！
I lost my wallet!
Zhōuliù yàobùyào yuē gè kāfēi?
周六要不要约个咖啡？
Want to grab a coffee on Saturday?
Why? Because sentences make your brain remember faster and help you speak sooner. Words are ingredients—sentences are the full dish.
2. Stop Translating—Start Thinking in Chinese
Your teacher can instantly tell when you’re translating English in your head. The giveaway? Strange word order, awkward pauses, or missing context.
Example:
This movie is interesting.
❌ 这个电影是有趣的。(Zhège diànyǐng shì yǒuqù de.)
✅ 这个电影很有意思。(Zhège diànyǐng hěn yǒuyìsi.)
The moment you switch to thinking in Chinese chunks, speaking becomes natural.
3. Repetition Isn’t Boring—It’s How You Win
Many learners get bored with repeating simple phrases. But your teacher knows: repetition = fluency. When you can casually say:
Wǒ yào yì bēi níngméngshuǐ, shǎo bīng.
我要一杯柠檬水，少冰。
I’d like a lemonade, less ice.
without hesitation, you’re winning.Teachers aren’t making you repeat to punish you—they’re helping you develop automatic speaking reflexes.
4. Your Accent Is Fine—Clarity Matters More
Most learners stress too much about sounding “perfectly native.” Your teacher? They just want you to be understood.
It’s okay to have an accent—teachers love students who speak clearly:
✅ Correct tone?
✅ Clear sentence?
✅ No mumbling?
That’s a huge success already.
5. Listening Is More Important Than Speaking (At First)
Many learners rush to “speak fast.” But your teacher knows: if you can’t understand what people say, conversation dies quickly. Focus on listening and mimicking:
- Follow short video clips
- Copy how native speakers link words
- Pay attention to tone patterns
Your speaking naturally improves when your brain gets enough input first.
6. You’ll Progress Faster With One Real Human Than 10 Apps
Apps are great for drills—but they can’t correct your mistakes or give you real feedback. Your teacher wants you to know: “Just 30 minutes with a real person can fix errors you’d repeat for months on an app.” Teachers help you avoid bad habits early and push you to real-life usage like:
- “你在干嘛？” (Nǐ zài gàn ma?) – What are you doing?
- “我马上到！” (Wǒ mǎshàng dào!) – I’ll be there soon!
7. You Know More Than You Think—Just Use It
Many learners hesitate, thinking: “I don’t know enough yet.” But your teacher sees it differently: “You know enough to start talking now.” Even if it’s just:
“我喜欢吃面。” (Wǒ xǐhuān chī miàn.) – I like eating noodles.
“今天有点冷。” (Jīntiān yǒudiǎn lěng.) – It’s a bit cold today.
Small daily sentences lead to big fluency gains. Your teacher’s biggest wish: Just open your mouth and speak!
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Quiz: Why do teachers recommend repeating simple sentences multiple times?
A. To avoid making pronunciation mistakes.
B. To create automatic speaking reflexes without hesitation.
C. To memorize the dictionary faster.
Answer: B