How to self-study Chinese characters and go beyond

Self-study Chinese characters has always been a viable solution for Chinese language learners. 

While learning individual characters can be easy and fun, it is not so easy to read Chinese texts. However, reading Chinese texts is a more rewarding experience that can bring a total transformation. 

At MSL Master, we offer right materials and methodologies to help students not only learn characters but also develop sound Chinese reading and writing skills.

There are six Chinese video courses that teach students 320 Chinese characters and help them develop sound Chinese reading and writing skills.

On completing these courses, students will learn over 1000 words and combinations, complete extensive training on reading and writing Chinese texts, including sentences, conversations, and stories.

These six Chinese video courses are below:

1. Chinese Reading and Writing 1
2. Chinese Reading and Writing 2
3. Chinese Reading and Writing 3
4. Chinese Reading and Writing 4
5. Chinese Reading and Writing 5
6. Chinese Reading and Writing 6

Each course includes a textbook, video lessons, worksheets, and an audio equipment — Chinese Learning Pen.

Textbooks present new Chinese characters, their combinations, and how to use them in sentences, conversations and stories. 

Video lessons teach how to write each Chinese character, meanings of characters and words, and give instructions in English. 

Worksheets offer sufficient reading and writing exercises in various forms. Some target words, while others target sentences and paragraphs.

Chinese Learning Pen is an audio equipment, containing all the audios of the textbooks and allowing students to play any part of the texts at ease and at will. With the help of the accurate audio playback, students are able to connect the sounds of characters with their forms faster. It’s also super beneficial for students to be exposed to standard natural speeches in Chinese.

Students are recommended to follow the self-study routine (see below) to achieve the best learning result.

Links to each video course are included in the “More Information” section.

If you have any questions, want to check answers or get feedbacks, sign up for an online tutoring session.

The following routine is recommended for students to achieve their goal of reading and writing interesting Chinese texts:

1. Start a lesson in the textbook;
2. Watch the video lesson on characters to learn how to read and write new characters;
3. Practice reading and writing these new characters until they become familiar;
4. Watch the video lesson on words and combinations to learn the meanings of words and combinations;
5. Practice reading and writing these words and combinations until they become familiar;
6. Watch the video lesson on grammar, if there are any in the lesson;
7. Watch the video lesson on practice;
8. Practice reading and writing all Chinese texts of that lesson;
9. Complete the end of chapter challenge presented in the video lesson;
10. Complete exercises in worksheets for that lesson;
11. Start the next lesson in the textbook.

1. Set a small goal and a date to achieve that goal;
2. Allocate a fixed time, either daily or weekly, as your study sessions;
3. Start from a place where you feel it’s a little difficult but not too difficult;
4. At beginning of each self-study session, spend a few minutes on something easy as warmup;
5. Try to use as many body parts as possible during your study, e.g. reading, speaking, listening, writing, colour coding, walking around, etc.;
6. Use a couple of minutes to reflect before going to sleep;
7. Achieve your small goal and celebrate!
8. Go back to tip 1, until you finish the course.