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Discover the Secrets to Learning Mandarin: Exclusive Podcast with Phil Crimmins

best way to learn chinese mandarin

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of learning Mandarin? Unsure about the best way to learn Chinese Mandarin? Many aspiring learners find those daunting characters and tricky tones a real challenge. But what if there was a simpler, more effective approach to online Chinese learning?

Look no further! In a recent episode of the I’m Learning Mandarin podcast, our co-founder and CEO, Phil Crimmins, reveals the innovative strategies that make Mandarin Blueprint a game-changer for language learners worldwide.

Tune in to this Mandarin Blueprint podcast interview here.

From dabbling to dominating — Phil Crimmins’ journey to Mandarin fluency

Phil Crimmins, co-founder and CEO of Mandarin Blueprint, didn’t become a Mandarin expert overnight. His path to fluency is a compelling story of dedication, experimentation, and, ultimately, discovering the best way to learn Chinese Mandarin.

Like many who venture into the world of online Chinese learning, he initially “dabbled” in the language during his early years in China. He explored different study methods, tried to pick up phrases here and there, and experienced the common frustrations of a casual learner. However, as he candidly shares in the “I’m Learning Mandarin” podcast, he soon realized that “Mandarin is not a very conducive language for dabbling.”

This realization was a turning point in Phil’s language learning journey. He recognized that truly mastering Mandarin required more than just casual study; it demanded a structured approach, a deep commitment, and a willingness to go beyond traditional language learning resources.

This led him to pursue a degree in Chinese at Sichuan University, immersing himself in the language and culture. It was during this time that he began to develop his own unique learning system, questioning conventional methods and seeking more efficient ways to study Mandarin.

Phil’s experience resonates with many who are eager to study Mandarin but feel overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of the language. His story offers valuable language learning tips, highlighting the importance of:

  • Structured learning: Moving beyond casual learning and adopting a systematic approach is crucial for consistent progress.
  • Deep commitment: Mastering Mandarin requires dedication and a willingness to invest time and effort.
  • Effective language learning resources: Traditional methods may not be enough. Exploring innovative resources and techniques can significantly accelerate your learning.

Phil’s journey from dabbling to dominating Mandarin exemplifies how a strategic approach and unwavering commitment can lead to fluency. His insights, shared in the “Phil Crimmins on I’m Learning Mandarin podcast” episode, provide invaluable guidance for anyone looking for the best way to learn Chinese Mandarin.

How collaboration and innovation sparked a Mandarin revolution

collaboration and innovation in mandarin

Phil Crimmins’ journey to Mandarin mastery took a significant turn when he crossed paths with Luke Neale, his future business partner and co-founder of Mandarin Blueprint. This meeting of minds proved to be a catalyst, sparking a revolution in how people learn Mandarin Chinese. Together, they worked to discover the best way to learn Chinese Mandarin, exchanging language learning tips, experimenting with various methods, and challenging conventional wisdom.

Their collaborative spirit led them to explore the power of combining character memorization with a strong emphasis on pronunciation and comprehensible input. They looked into the intricacies of Chinese tones, experimented with spaced repetition systems (SRS), and immersed themselves in authentic Chinese content. This dedication to finding the most effective language learning resources transformed their own Mandarin abilities and laid the foundation for their groundbreaking approach.

Their commitment to excellence paid off spectacularly when they both passed the HSK 6 exam after just two years of focused study! This remarkable achievement, especially considering the HSK 6 typically requires years, solidified their belief in the effectiveness of their innovative methods. It fueled their desire to share these powerful language learning tips with the world, leading to the creation of Mandarin Blueprint.

The birth of Mandarin Blueprint marked a turning point in online Chinese learning. Phil and Luke’s collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of effective learning strategies transformed their personal Mandarin journeys and inspired countless others to unlock the language’s potential. 

Their story, featured in the Mandarin Blueprint podcast interview with Mischa Wilmers, highlights how collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of language acquisition can revolutionize how we learn Mandarin Chinese.

Learning Mandarin characters with the Hanzi Movie Method

Learning Mandarin characters

Forget those dusty textbooks and tedious memorization drills! Mandarin Blueprint introduces a revolutionary approach to learning Chinese characters: the Hanzi Movie Method. This groundbreaking system transforms the often-dreaded task of character memorization into an engaging and cinematic experience, making it easier and more enjoyable than ever to study Mandarin.

Inspired by memory athletes and ancient Greek mnemonics, the Hanzi Movie Method uses our innate ability to remember faces, places, and events. Instead of rote learning, you’ll create vivid mental “movies” for each character, associating them with a specific person, place, object, and action. Imagine Jackie Chan wielding a sword in your childhood bedroom — suddenly, the character for “sword” (剑 – jiàn) becomes unforgettable!

This unique approach taps into your brain’s natural memory processes, making it one of the best ways to learn Chinese Mandarin. As Phil Crimmins explains in the “I’m Learning Mandarin” podcast, the Hanzi Movie Method allows learners to build a strong foundation in:

  • Character recognition: The vivid mental imagery makes it easier to recall and recognize characters, even complex ones.
  • Pronunciation: By associating characters with specific people and places, you’ll effortlessly remember their pronunciation and tones.
  • Meaning: The action and objects in your “movie” reinforce the character’s meaning, creating a deeper understanding of the language.

This powerful combination unlocks a whole new world of online Chinese learning. By mastering individual characters, you’ll effortlessly progress to recognizing words, understanding sentences, and even reading entire paragraphs with ease. The Hanzi Movie Method helps you conquer the building blocks of Mandarin, setting you up for success in your language learning journey.

Conquering tones with a controversial hot take

Conquering tones

Mandarin Chinese tones often strike fear into the hearts of language learners. But what if we told you that the real challenge isn’t the tones themselves but something else entirely? In the I’m Learning Mandarin podcast, Phil reveals a surprising perspective on this common obstacle, offering valuable language learning tips to help you conquer those tonal hurdles with confidence.

Phil challenges conventional wisdom by saying that producing the four Mandarin tones is not inherently difficult for native English speakers. He argues that the real difficulty lies in the lack of confidence learners often feel about which tone maps to which character. This uncertainty can lead to an “uncertain tone” when speaking, hindering fluency and making it harder for native speakers to understand.

So, what’s the solution? Phil emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation in character pronunciation through effective language learning resources like:

  • Mnemonics: Techniques like the Hanzi Movie Method can help you associate characters with specific tones, making them easier to recall and pronounce correctly.
  • Focused practice: Consistent practice, with an emphasis on accuracy, is crucial for developing tonal confidence. This can involve repetition drills, shadowing native speakers, and recording yourself to identify areas for improvement.

By building this foundation and developing tonal confidence, learners can overcome the fear and uncertainty that often plague their Mandarin pronunciation. Phil’s insights, shared in the podcast interview, offer a fresh perspective on this common challenge and provide practical language learning tips to help you master Mandarin tones with ease.

The evolution of Mandarin Blueprint: A comprehensive learning ecosystem

From its humble beginnings as a series of live classes in Chengdu, Mandarin Blueprint has grown into a comprehensive online learning platform. The program now includes:

  • Pronunciation mastery: A dedicated course focusing on accurate pronunciation and tone production.
  • Character reading mastery: Deep dives into character recognition and reading comprehension.
  • Grammar mastery: A structured course covering essential Mandarin grammar concepts.

Ready to unlock your Mandarin potential? Start with these two steps!

Inspired by Phil Crimmins’ journey and the innovative Mandarin Blueprint method? Ready to finally make real progress with Mandarin Chinese? Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Dive deeper with the podcast

Gain valuable insights and language learning tips from Phil himself! Tune into his insightful conversation on the I’m Learning Mandarin podcast, where he discusses:

  • His personal journey to Mandarin fluency
  • The creation and evolution of Mandarin Blueprint
  • The power of the Hanzi Movie Method
  • Mastering Mandarin tones with confidence
  • And much more!

Listen to the Podcast Now!

Step 2: Take the free 30-day challenge

Put your newfound knowledge into action! Join The Mandarin Blueprint Challenge and gain lifetime access to a significant portion of our curriculum and a thriving community of over 6100 Mandarin learners.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • The Blueprint (LITE): Lifetime access to the first 20 levels, featuring 900+ lessons, 675 videos, and 660+ multimedia flashcards. This covers 60% of the most frequently used Chinese characters and words!
  • Live events: Join Q&A sessions and presentations with Phil and Luke, the MB team, and community leaders.
  • Bonus videos & audio files: Access hundreds of resources to accelerate your learning.
  • Thriving community: Connect with motivated learners, share your experiences, and get support on your journey.

This is your chance to:

  • Study Mandarin with a proven system: Experience the power of the Hanzi Movie Method and other innovative techniques.
  • Achieve measurable results: Go from zero to reading, understanding, and even speaking basic Chinese in just 30 days.
  • Gain confidence: Shatter the myth that Chinese is “the hardest language in the world.”
  • Enjoy the learning process: Make Mandarin learning fun, engaging, and rewarding.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Join The Challenge for Free!