Learning Chinese has many benefits across the spectrum, from gaining cultural insight to better business opportunities, from making lifelong friendships to travelling. In fact, there has never been a better time to learn Chinese than today! Here are our 10 reasons to learn Chinese:
Travel to China
The biggest benefit of learning Mandarin is that allows you to uncover the mesmerising country of China on your own. If you are not the typical tourist, then take the chance to learn Mandarin, and you will find that on your travels you will unearth the “real China”. Even with limited speaking skills, locals will value the effort and will make a special considerations to welcome you.
Discover Chinese culture
China’s vast history and culture is incredibly well-known, with its impact being seen by its appreciation globally. A Chinese language ability will allow you to delve deeper into China’s cultural riches, by being able to explore renowned Chinese novels, short stories, poetry, film, TV and music.
Enter the Chinese business world
Over the last 35 years, China has transformed itself to become arguably the largest global economy, with China’s boom and its status as a rising global superpower allowing Western Mandarin-speaking businessmen to thrive off the nations riches.
Work in China
Through opening itself up to the world, China has welcomed foreign investment and economic cooperation. As such, there is a massive demand for people who are able to bridge the gap between this new China and the greater world.
Boost your CV
Through learning Chinese, you can transform yourself into somebody invaluable to the success of a project in China and demonstrate great intellectual capacity, making yourself stand out from the crowd.
It’s easy to pick up
Although Chinese is considered a difficult language to pick up, it is easier to get started than you might think. Students of the language are often able to start speaking basic Chinese in as little as a few weeks of beginning their studies.
More ways to learn Chinese than ever
Previously, Mandarin learning could be considered an arduous process involving huge dictionaries, endless character lists and poorly recorded audio tapes. Luckily, there are now much better ways you can learn Chinese. TCB and other platforms, including Pleco, have revolutionised the way students study Chinese, encouraging the little and often approach, with greater proven benefits.
Communicate with a billion people
Only through speaking Chinese can someone really experience everything that China and its millennia-old civilisation has to offer. Chinese language skills open up just over 1.3 billion people across China!
Make friends
Learning Mandarin gives you access to communicate with many people and connect on a deeper level, not just in Asia but across the world!
Good brain exercise
Studies suggest that learning Chinese uses more parts of the brain than are required for other languages. As there are numerous differences between learning Chinese when compared with the English language, including tones and characters, it is believed that learning Chinese takes more brain power! Whereas English speakers only use the left temporal lobe, speakers of Mandarin use both. Furthermore, learning to write characters can help with motor skills and visual recognition will keep the mind sharp.
Interested in learning Chinese but still not sure? How about having a look at The 10 Most Recognised Chinese Words in English Language, you might already know some Mandarin!
