Master Chinese All in One Place Without Tutors, Textbooks, or Classes

I've just finished the foundational Pronunciation Mastery course after about three weeks of mostly daily work. The content was very well presented with a nice mix of instruction, inspiration with... read moreI've just finished the foundational Pronunciation Mastery course after about three weeks of mostly daily work. The content was very well presented with a nice mix of instruction, inspiration with native speaker reviews interspersed throughout.While I feel a bit overwhelmed, Luke and Phil are very reassuring about moving forward on the next phase of my Mandarin learning journey using their method.The pricing is very reasonable and with the free trial period you can't go wrong. Onward! read less

Hey Guys,
Figured I could provide 'early' feedback as requested. Long story short, you guys clearly put a remarkable amount of effort on this and it shows. I struggled to learn... read moreHey Guys,
Figured I could provide 'early' feedback as requested. Long story short, you guys clearly put a remarkable amount of effort on this and it shows. I struggled to learn Chinese for a while mainly due to the lack of being able to find a good direction on where to go. I learned English as a second language in my teenage years by reading, watching TV and generally using the internet so I am a firm believer in the "consume content" approach to learning. I always sort of thought Chinese was going to be difficult since the character barrier to learning made that path too much of a pain.

In my 'journey' I really stuck with Skritter, which I practice daily alongside your course and Anki since I find recall/muscle memory from writing actively in the app works very well for me. On its own it's kind of useless but in combination with your stuff I find it very effective (at least for now, things may change later?). I wasn't too sold on the mnemonic method at first, to be honest, this felt a bit marketting-gimick-like but I do seriously see a massive impact, specifically with tones. In short, I agree that it really does work, but I admit to having some reticence at first, which I imagine you have heard before as well.

Finally, not to bore you to death on details, the only 'feedback' I have other than so far everything actually WORKS very well is that I really had to go through the motions with an open mind to get there. Looking at the website/profile and everything else first I had a bit of a 'this is marketing heavy and empty promises' feel to it. I don't have a solution to this, and I imagine you guys have to filter above the noise to get attention and clients and this is a super competitive market but maybe there's a two-tone approach here that appeals to people that are more guarded to heavy marketing like myself without sabotaging the other demographics on which this is effective.

Either way, great work, this works well and is well done. Not that I have much to offer but if you need some reviews/reach other than the google one I've done already, i'd be happy to oblige. I think your effort and approach deserves some success and I hope you guys get it. read less

After completing the intermediate portion of MB I have to admit I am very excited for your next section. I believe that it took me around 18 months to get... read moreAfter completing the intermediate portion of MB I have to admit I am very excited for your next section. I believe that it took me around 18 months to get here. I guess it was about halfway through the intermediate course that I started to get this craving for learning so much more vocabulary. It was driving me nuts! The feeling that I was just "this close" to having a major breakthrough. I never cut out any sentences though.
My feeling for me was that I needed to know the vocabulary and the sentences provided a solid method to hone my understanding of the words as well as a constant reinforcement of vocabulary I had previously learnd. Moving my understanding of characters to knowing words.

Sure, I had wanted to dish the sentences many times so I could just learn new characters but for me understanding words was more important than having a lot more characters under my belt.
That being said, I have added more words to my vocabulary than have been in the course so far that I found interesting as well as my own sentences to go with them. I guess this all goes to show you how great your method is. You can take many different approaches to satisfy the individual wants and needs of each person. It is not a 1 size fits all kind of thing.
For me, at this stage of things I could easily learn 50 new characters in an hour. I figure it took longer to add a character to anki than to come up with my movie but I'm not in a race and know I am getting closer to that level of fluency that I am seeking. I do think the metaphor shouldn't be climbing a mountain. Maybe that was at the beginning of your course but rather I feel like I am walking down that mountain and it's starting to snow and you guys have just handed me a pair of ski's.Through it all this has been a great trip and has been fun and exciting at every turn.
Thanks guys I still am having a blast! read less

All ‘other’ courses that I’ve tried in the past, I stopped. Where Mandarin Blueprint differs is keeping the interest level up, provides the (much needed) motivation at low times (thanks... read moreAll ‘other’ courses that I’ve tried in the past, I stopped. Where Mandarin Blueprint differs is keeping the interest level up, provides the (much needed) motivation at low times (thanks Phil!), Bonus Videos are a valuable MUST, cultural tidbits within the course provide insight, which, I wouldn’t have access to, SRS has kept me honest (daily), Community engagement is GREAT (keeps the ideas flowing and provides differing perspectives) and here is the kicker, I know which tone, how to write, read and speak. Sure, I’m not a native BUT I wouldn’t be where I am without Mandarin Blueprint.
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Reading stories instead of random sentences has really cranked up my motivation to a whole other level. I really want to know what happens next! For a moment there I... read moreReading stories instead of random sentences has really cranked up my motivation to a whole other level. I really want to know what happens next! For a moment there I was just enjoying the content, and almost forgetting about the fact that I was reading the story in Mandarin. I'm looking forward to the day when I can sit down with a whole book and just read. What suddenly came to mind is the scene near the end of The Matrix, when Neo is facing Agent Smith and Morpheus exclaims: "He is beginning to believe."
Not so many months ago this text would have looked like nothing but matrix code squiggles to me, but now I'm having a blast reading and understanding it. Listening is gonna take a while still, but it's also getting better! read less

I absolutely love the course. I am very pleased with the curriculum and my progress. I appreciate all of the work that has been done and the quality shows. Hats... read moreI absolutely love the course. I am very pleased with the curriculum and my progress. I appreciate all of the work that has been done and the quality shows. Hats off to everyone involved! read less

I am impressed with the way the pronunciation course was delivered. I am glad I can make a few sentences in Chinese despite being a beginner. I plan go through... read moreI am impressed with the way the pronunciation course was delivered. I am glad I can make a few sentences in Chinese despite being a beginner. I plan go through the course again.
Thank you read less

Wow I just want to say this course is amazing. There are a lot to choose from online and most of them don’t measure up. This course exceeds my expectations.

After listening to your podcast my initial goal was to get here and experience what so many before me had described. It feels amazing to read and understand these sentences!... read moreAfter listening to your podcast my initial goal was to get here and experience what so many before me had described. It feels amazing to read and understand these sentences! Reviewing individual characters in anki is one thing, but reading full sentences is on another level. My recollection feels quicker and I can already feel my overall speed increasing. These sentence "reps" really seem to be solidifying everything for me. I signed up in August of 2020 during an exceptionally busy time in my life. I just couldn't pass up the lifetime offer having complete confidence in your method. I just recently started a consistent study schedule and I'm blown away with how quickly I'm progressing. You guys are the best! I love this course and I look forward to it every day. I am addicted! read less

This is simply great. I have been using a private tutor for 2 years, learning pinyin only. I know the meaning of way more than 105 characters, but now that... read moreThis is simply great. I have been using a private tutor for 2 years, learning pinyin only. I know the meaning of way more than 105 characters, but now that I have a systematic way of reading the writing them, and much to the delight of my teacher, now it all makes sense to me. I have reached this level in about 4 weeks because it has been so fun climbing every character and reclaiming what I have previously learned in a rational way.

I started this course on the 14 August because my city is in lockdown and having just closed my laboratory (in Neuroscience), I wanted to occupy my time with something new. Its now 5 weeks and I am so thankful that I started this course because I can now read sentences in Chinese. I look forward to daily opening up my screen and learning new words and sentences. Above all, I am amazed by your enthusiasm and love for the language. My Mandarin teacher is also very impressed and will now recommend you to her other students.
Thank you. read less

Wow, this makes so much make sense! I was taught - and told off often - by a native speaker about this tone and extra emphasis was put on the... read moreWow, this makes so much make sense! I was taught - and told off often - by a native speaker about this tone and extra emphasis was put on the final higher "note" - but whenever I'd watch Chinese movies I'd find it really difficult to recognise the third tone because it didn't emphasise the last part as I was taught to do. I understood intuitively that I was being taught as a learner, and that native speakers always do things differently - but this is the first time I've truly understood HOW it's different. Thank you! read less

I am so proud of myself for getting this far. Although I have not been doing it as fast as others might have been doing it but I am taking... read moreI am so proud of myself for getting this far. Although I have not been doing it as fast as others might have been doing it but I am taking the "scenic route", I am enjoying the journey. I am very excited for this new phase. Looks like the course is laid out very well. Well done guys ! read less

oh my GOODNESS look I made it! Yes it took me longer than I wanted, but I totally made it to the end of this level lol, wanna say again... read moreoh my GOODNESS look I made it! Yes it took me longer than I wanted, but I totally made it to the end of this level lol, wanna say again - your course is fab, and you both explain things sooooo eloquently (unlike me in my sleep deprived state right now lol) read less

I love the Mandarin Blueprint Method, it is one of a kind. I have been struggling with my Mandarin learning journey before because studying the characters was difficult. Now that... read moreI love the Mandarin Blueprint Method, it is one of a kind. I have been struggling with my Mandarin learning journey before because studying the characters was difficult. Now that I am using the MBM, I am enjoying the Chinese characters more. Once you get the hang of the method, learning the characters becomes enjoyable. I highly recommend it to those who are serious in learning Mandarin. read less

I can't believe it. I can read complete Mandarin sentences. I am not the person to write a review, yet I feel this is the time.
It's 12:25 AM East Coast... read moreI can't believe it. I can read complete Mandarin sentences. I am not the person to write a review, yet I feel this is the time.
It's 12:25 AM East Coast time, and I am contemplating staying up until 3:00 am. Phil and Luke your method works and it is amazing! read less

A truly fantastic course! I've been learning Chinese for too many years. I've received several scholarships to China. I have a shelf full of Chinese textbooks. But I'd found that... read moreA truly fantastic course! I've been learning Chinese for too many years. I've received several scholarships to China. I have a shelf full of Chinese textbooks. But I'd found that I could not progress any further. Until I came across Mandarin Blueprint. Re learning the way to learn is hard...but not. Learning a new methodology is huge. But the way that Luke and Phil present every learning point in a linear, rewarding fashion, makes this method easy and realistic. I'm a teacher. I know that if students can not identify the immediate and long term goal, then they become distracted and discouraged. There is a valid season so many people have given this course 5 stars - It works and it's fun. read less

"If you want to avoid Alzheimer's Disease; learn a language" - Jared Diamond (Anthropologist and Pulitzer Prize author). If you wish to learn Chinese, this is the best place... read more"If you want to avoid Alzheimer's Disease; learn a language" - Jared Diamond (Anthropologist and Pulitzer Prize author). If you wish to learn Chinese, this is the best place to begin because it is fun, painless and addictive. And they respond to questions instantaneously. read less

Fantastic course. well thought out and implemented. Multiple tools to help learning. Lots of work for me still to do and a lot of reviewing of completed lessons, but I... read moreFantastic course. well thought out and implemented. Multiple tools to help learning. Lots of work for me still to do and a lot of reviewing of completed lessons, but I already feel I have a great grounding.Looking forward to the many lessons ahead. Thanks Luke, Phil and their team. read less

Fantastic course. well thought out and implemented. Multiple tools to help learning. Lots of work for me still to do and a lot of reviewing of l these lessons, but... read moreFantastic course. well thought out and implemented. Multiple tools to help learning. Lots of work for me still to do and a lot of reviewing of l these lessons, but I already feel I have a great grounding. Looking forward to the many lessons ahead. Thanks Luke, Phil and their team. read less

If you want the fastest, clearest, and most fun way to learn Chinese, Mandarin Blueprint is it.

I've watched a lot of chinese dramas and had quite a bit of interaction with chinese customers so even before knowing these tone changing rules, I've already used it without... read moreI've watched a lot of chinese dramas and had quite a bit of interaction with chinese customers so even before knowing these tone changing rules, I've already used it without realising. I think that's what works for me - comprehensible input and shadowing. Often times I don't know what grammar rules are and what terms like preposition (and insert other complicated grammar terms) is but when I see examples of it, hear it in its context and shadow it, it becomes more natural to me and I will also end up picking up all these grammar without realising. I think that's the beauty of language acquisition taught via this method. Thanks guys! read less

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Pronunciation Mastery part of the course and find myself looking forward to the next step in my learning of the Chinese language.

Thank you, Phil and Luke, Amazing course so far. I have difficulty keeping my attention span for more than 15-20mins.
So I cannot learn via traditional methods. I didn't think I... read moreThank you, Phil and Luke, Amazing course so far. I have difficulty keeping my attention span for more than 15-20mins.
So I cannot learn via traditional methods. I didn't think I could ever learn a new language. And yet here I am able to read and write sentences, also write and understand 596 Characters. Cannot wait to learn the next 2000!!
感谢 你们 read less

Hey guys. First of all thanks for talking about my experience on the podcast at the tail end of last week, that was really cool and I was really encouraged... read moreHey guys. First of all thanks for talking about my experience on the podcast at the tail end of last week, that was really cool and I was really encouraged by Phil's comments. Just had a revelation the last few days as to why reading is so important to learning the language. As I said in my email and as you've discussed before listening is the hardest part of the language due to the speed of processing needed to comprehend what someone has said...but it then dawned on me... WRITTEN LANGUAGE IS SPEECH SUSPENDED IN TIME!!! When you read a dialogue you gain the time needed to process the information involved. The more you do that the shorter the processing time must become until you process in real time...you're then at a listening level I assume! The written language is of course giving you grammar and vocab for speech as well so you're actually involved and studying both sides of a conversation. It must be why musicians practice scales which at first seems almost unrelated to what they actually want to play but as they pick up speed they prepare themselves for faster movements in the future. Hope that makes sense in the real world and it wasn't Friday afternoon beer science, lol. Keep smashing it guys. Just starting level 31!!!! 我太兴奋了！
Jimmy Rogers
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What I like about Mandarin Blueprint is that the teachers are native English speakers which you may think would be a detriment but in reality makes Chinese easier to learn... read moreWhat I like about Mandarin Blueprint is that the teachers are native English speakers which you may think would be a detriment but in reality makes Chinese easier to learn because they have much more reality on what someone experiences learning a language. I’ve used many different apps and online resources, and they’re all great, but it is nice to be able to learn from someone who has already gone through what I go through. The courses and curricular are very well organized and the teachers get you through any difficulties and are there to help. read less

Amazing, amazing, amazing! Twice I have responded and twice I have featured in a podcast / YouTube clip.
What I say is true. Rote leaning is a fools game. As an... read moreAmazing, amazing, amazing! Twice I have responded and twice I have featured in a podcast / YouTube clip.
What I say is true. Rote leaning is a fools game. As an avid movie / tv watcher, your course, is, well, easy. Saying that, if you aren’t a movie / tv person, for those into music, the same rule applies (utilise lyrics / film clips to your advantage!)! If you aren’t into any of those suggestions, there are real life experiences to draw upon. Essentially, there is no excuse for people to not learn Chinese with, Mandarin Blueprint.
Find your medium (film / tv, music, real life) and get learning (Anki via Mandarin Blueprint is King / Queen!). #lifelong member = #lifelong learner!
When the boarders open up from 澳大利亚 to 中国, we my friends, are going for some serious Yum Cha time!
Regards,
Richard read less

This is a bit random, but I just realised that this character concludes my initial goal of learning “just a few Chinese characters”. Half a year ago I had started... read moreThis is a bit random, but I just realised that this character concludes my initial goal of learning “just a few Chinese characters”. Half a year ago I had started to learn Korean, when I came across a lesson where the days of the week were presented, alongside the Chinese characters for Sun, Moon, Fire, Water, Wood, Gold and Earth. Being easily distracted, I thought wouldn’t it be fun to learn these Chinese characters as well, and a quick google search later I stumbled upon someone recommending the Mandarin Blueprint Method. And now here I am on character 412, after what was supposed to be a half hour side quest into Mandarin. So Phil and Luke, thanks a lot for the amazing course, now my one year subscription to Korean lessons are completely going to waste, haha :) I am having way too much fun to stop anytime soon! read less

Thank you! You guys are incredible! It was in no way urgent for me to know this, but still: getting an answer to any question within 15 minutes on a... read moreThank you! You guys are incredible! It was in no way urgent for me to know this, but still: getting an answer to any question within 15 minutes on a Sunday... just fantastic! I love the course, but it´s the podcasts, the community, and the feeling of "not being alone in this" that really makes the difference and keeps me going on! THANK YOU! read less

What stands out to me about this course is how you’ve masterfully put together and explained the best techniques of language learning. Firstly, your course shows what has to be... read moreWhat stands out to me about this course is how you’ve masterfully put together and explained the best techniques of language learning. Firstly, your course shows what has to be to date the best way of applying memory techniques to learning Chinese characters.

However, it doesn’t stop there, as you simultaneously show us the value of SRS (this has literally changed the way I consume any information), comprehensible input, shadowing, habit building, temporal motivation theory (you win if you show up!) and the list goes on. Furthermore, you do this while cheering us on all the way (those messages at the end of level reviews are superb).

Crucially, you also show us the value of enjoying ourselves as we learn. As one of my favorite authors likes to put it, “journey before destination”, and that said, what an adventure you legends are taking us on. read less

I really love the way things are explained in this course. Not just the "what" but also the "why". Not only do we learn Chinese but in this course, you... read moreI really love the way things are explained in this course. Not just the "what" but also the "why". Not only do we learn Chinese but in this course, you also supply additional knowledge such as this to keep things fresh and interesting.

I've only been on this course for a few weeks ( Finished Pronunciation Mastery & End Of Phase 1 / Level 5 ). I feel I have more interest in learning and have learned more in less than a month than when I was trying to grind through tutoring and workbooks for 3 months. Usually, I begin to lose interest.
It's not the Chinese that I'd lose interest in, it would be the teaching style.

So far with your course, I keep coming back every day just like eagerly wanting to watch a new episode of my favorite show. When I miss a day I do feel guilty but I ALWAYS at least make sure I completed Anki for the day.

So far, things are not overly challenging where I'm afraid of getting behind yet also challenging enough to know I am breaking milestones and making progress. Though I am less than a month in, I hope that progress continues the same way. I am quite hopeful. read less