Hi, my name is Niel, otherwise known as Confused Laowai. I blog about my exciting, yet often confusing adventure learning Chinese.
9 Essential Digital Tools for Chinese Learners
Back when I was undergraduate student, I was still clueless to all the amazing products available to help complement my Chinese studies. I experienced this again, when I did an experiment with the first year learners of Chinese at my University. Many had questions for me and I realized, that I was that same guy. Now, with a few more years of discovering the best content, here are essential digital tools for Chinese learners. These [...]
Skritter for iPhone launches
The Chinese language learning community is abuzz with the launch of Skritter’s mobile iPhone version. It launched earlier today on the app store. I’ve been a fan of Skritter and this mobile version is a brilliant move for the team. Touchscreens + Skritter is a match made in heaven. I do not own a iPhone, but my word does this app make me want one really badly. Could it be the killer app for Chinese [...]
Doing SRS the fun way
Ok, so after my post detailing my failures in using SRS, I’ve got some excellent feedback! Makes me just realize how great the online Mandarin learning community is. So, here’s the dealio: I was doing it wrong. Well that’s at least my view of it. I’m going to test this now. Jacob, Peckish Laowai and Greg all gave excellent advice on how they use SRS services. Here’s the summary: – Use it to review, not [...]
Revisiting SRS and Flashcards
I’ve always found SRS systems (like Anki and Skritter) and flashcards an interesting addition to language learning. Many people seem use to it to great success, but somewhere along this language learning continuum, SRS and Flashcards just fail with me. Don’t get me wrong. I did the research. It can work, if you allow it to. The myth of it being detrimental and slow is nonsense. Like I said, many others use it to great [...]
If you want an SRS program, Skritter is the way to go
I knew about Skritter for some time now, but never really got around to actually checking it out. After Sara’s recommendation I couldn’t resist anymore and signed up for the trial. Another factor was that the lab that I’m working in now had a Wacom Bamboo tablet lying around. I installed it and never looked back. I’ve used Anki before as a way to learn some extra vocabulary while I study. Now that I don’t [...]
