The Intermediate Trap

Your Roadmap to Break Through In One Year

Many people spend years on Mandarin only to get stuck at the intermediate level. If you're serious about reaching fluency, this roadmap is for you. You're closer than you think!

But firstly, you have to avoid the biggest pitfalls: Many intermediate learners obsess over perfect grammar before they've even built a strong vocabulary. They're terrified to speak until every sentence is "right."

This means we often spend too much time fixing grammar when we should be focusing on speaking and intonation—the key elements you can't truly master on your own.

Seriously, don't obsess over it. In many ways, Chinese sentence structure is similar to English or French. Even if your word order isn't perfect, people will still understand you (with the correct tones of course).

So, Don't Worry About Grammar! Do This Instead:

Here's a breakdown of what you can learn on your own and where you'll really benefit from some help:

• Self-Study: Focus on vocabulary acquisition. Read, listen, and immerse yourself in Chinese content to build a strong foundation of words and phrases.

• With Guidance: This is where you master speech and intonation. You need feedback on your pronunciation, rhythm, and the natural flow of spoken Chinese. This is the part that's almost impossible to perfect in isolation.

Ready to put grammar worries aside and accelerate your speaking skills?

Your Complete Roadmap to Spoken Chinese Mastery (Intermediate to Fluency)

Step One: Master Chinese Intonation!

Master Chinese Intonation! I'm talking beyond just tones.

Think of a storyteller with no emotion; that's Chinese without intonation. The real secret to sounding natural is the language's music—the subtle pauses and pitch shifts that create its rhythm. Master this, and effortless fluency is yours.

The “intonations” in Chinese

Stress and Emphasis: 弱化和强调
Where do native speakers place emphasis within a sentence or phrase? This can drastically alter the meaning. Pay attention to how they highlight certain words for clarity or impact.

Accent and Pitch: 语音和语调
While standard Mandarin is the goal, regional accents exist. Observe how native speakers from different areas subtly adjust their pitch and pronunciation.

Stop and Liaison: 停顿和连接
Learn how sounds connect and separate. When do words blend together (liaison), and when do they have a clear pause (stop), This is crucial for smooth, natural speech.

Erhua and Fillers: 儿化和语气词
“Er” and “Um” — The Little Things That Matter: Those little “er” sounds (儿) and fillers like “那个” (nàge) aren’t just random noises. They’re the verbal equivalent of a comfortable sigh, making your speech sound relaxed and natural.

You will learn these strategies during my intonation coaching sessions.

Step Two: Master Fixed Expressions!

Textbooks give you the basics, but real life is where the fun begins.
To truly sound like a native, you need to incorporate everyday expressions, slang, and colloquialisms.

• Master Common Chinese Fillers and Fixed Phrases:
  常用中文语气助词和固定表达
  FREE List: 50 Chinese Conjunctions and Fillers.
  Ever wondered how native Chinese speakers sound so effortlessly natural, even when they're thinking or hesitating? It's not just perfect grammar; it's the subtle art of fillers and fixed phrases. These aren't just "um" and "uh" – they're the linguistic glue that makes conversations flow, adds emotion, and signals understanding.

• Master Chinese Idioms&Proverbs (掌握中文成语和俗语)
  Your Secret Weapon for Next-Level Fluency.

  These four-character gems are miniature stories packed with ancient wisdom. Learn them, and you'll instantly sound more advanced, adding incredible depth and nuance to your Chinese conversations.

• Master Common Chinese Slang! （搞定常用中文俚语）

  Want to really be "in the know"? Dive into the dynamic world of Chinese slang. It's always changing, which is why I keep my free slang list (an automatically updated flipbook!) fresh for you.

• Master "Street Smart" Punchy Expressions: （学习街头口语）
  Want to sound authentic? It's all about how people actually talk in daily life – in cafes, on the street, everywhere. These spontaneous, punchy phrases are what make your Chinese flow naturally.

  
  Note: If you already purchased the "Speak Chinese Like A Native" eBook, you'll find direct links to all its key elements (Extra flipbooks) included.

Step Three: Immersion and Practice

To truly speak like a native, you need to immerse yourself in the language and culture. Practice Makes Perfect! 熟能生巧.

1. Ear Training: Your Daily Chinese Ritual. 训练你的听力

Watch Chinese movies and TV shows, listen to podcasts and music, and pay close attention to how native speakers use language.
Coming soon: A Substack podcast is in the works once my schedule clears up!

2. Unlock Natural Flow: Shadow a Native Speaker 口语模仿练习

Want to sound more natural? Shadowing a native speaker is your secret weapon. Pick your favorite Chinese speaker and become their voice.
Listen closely, then repeat their words, matching their tone and pace.

3. Craft a Phrasebook That Speak to You. 收集你的词汇

Don’t just learn words; curate them. Build a personalized phrasebook filled with the expressions that resonate with you. This is your arsenal, your secret weapon for unlocking natural and confident Chinese.

4. Find Your Tribe: Live the Culture 找到你的圈子

Connect with native speakers online or in person. Food, music, festivals — immerse yourself in everything Chinese. It’s not just about the language, it’s about the whole experience. Practice, practice!

The bottom line: Have fun! 保持学习乐趣！

Progress, Not Perfection—Enjoy, don't destroy.
People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

加油! Don’t give up!! because If you're already intermediate, you're in a prime position to reach fluency with a consistent learning routine.

The Mandarin Flow