Learning Traditional Chinese Characters vs Learning Simplified Characters

One question that often comes up when deciding between two different Chinese classes is whether or not to learn simplified or traditional characters.

In general, mainland China uses simplified characters while Taiwan, Hong Kong, many overseas Chinese and older texts use traditional characters. So part of your decision will be based on where you plan to use your Mandarin knowledge and whether or not you are more interested in historical aspects of China or modern business in the Middle Kingdom.

Another consideration is the beauty and complexity of the written characters themselves. Traditional Chinese characters are by far more complex and beautiful than the simplified versions. If you want to impress people with your impeccable Chinese calligraphy, traditional is the way to go.

Some proponents of traditional characters point out that these versions contain more of the history and culture of China within the characters themselves. Pieces of the characters mean specific things, so learning traditional will give you a better appreciation for where the written language came from. For some, this also makes it easier to memorize the meaning of the character.

On the other hand, the simplified versions often contain a phonetic version, a piece that gives some indication of the sound of the character. For some learners, this makes it easier to remember how to pronounce the simplified form.

In the end, the choice of simplified characters vs traditional characters comes mainly down to what you plan to do with the language. Someone planning to do business in mainland China will find themselves illiterate should they be familiar only with the traditional Chinese characters, while someone interested in studying historical texts or working in Taiwan will be equally disadvantaged if their only exposure is to simplified Chinese characters.

Learning Mandarin with a Chinese Tutor

Learning Mandarin Chinese with a tutor is one way to quickly improve your skills, but you need to know what to expect before you start.

A tutor of Mandarin Chinese can help with pronunciation and listening comprehension in a way that a classroom teacher may not be able to. The dedicated one-on-one time spent with a tutor allows you to ask questions and clarify things that might have flown by during class time. Another advantage of a tutor is the ability to schedule classes whenever and wherever you want.

However, a Chinese tutor will typically cost more than group classes, and may be more difficult to find. You may not be able to progress as well as you like if you’re only speaking to someone for one hour a week in your target language.

Perhaps the best way to utilize a Mandarin Chinese tutor is to hire one in conjunction with regular Mandarin classes. That way you can have the best of both worlds and use the tutor for the things you really need help with instead of the basic vocabulary and grammar that you could learn in a cheaper classroom setting.