The author from New Oriental claims that dictation is the only effective way to improve English listening comprehension. He criticizes reliance on exam tricks and suggests listening four times while writing down the text, then analyzing errors related to pronunciation and connected speech phenomena.
Learning language: English
Key takeaways2
Beginners are advised to pause after each listen, gradually filling in missed words.
Dictation errors help identify weaknesses in perceiving phonetic features such as linking, weak forms, and unreleased stops.
GoEast Mandarin explains how to use the verb 有 for possession (subject + 有 + noun) and existence (place + 有 + noun). The verb never conjugates and is negated only with 没(有), never with 不. Questions use the particle 吗 or the 有没有 structure, which cannot be combined. The guide also distinguishes 有 from 是 and 在 and highlights typical beginner mistakes.
Learning language: Chinese
Key takeaways2
Chinese does not use 有 to state age; instead, a number plus the word 岁 is used without any verb.
In casual speech native speakers often drop 有 after 没, but beginners are advised to use the full form 没有.
The author describes running 30-minute group Q&A sessions within a paid learning community. These meetings let students digest material, receive feedback, and explain topics to peers, becoming mentors themselves. The teacher notes that handling diverse questions sharpens their own thinking and enables deeper exploration of grammar and vocabulary nuances.
Key takeaways2
Prompting students to answer peers' questions before the teacher responds builds confidence and turns them into mentors.
Dedicated Q&A sessions give learners agenda control, increasing ownership compared to standard classes.
The author argues that high course grades do not guarantee Chinese proficiency. Using Paul Nation’s four strands model, he advises compensating for formal courses’ bias toward learning about the language by increasing meaning-focused listening and real communication, developing fluency, and prioritising pronunciation and tones from the first weeks.
Learning language: Chinese
Key takeaways2
Formal courses often overload students with grammar facts and character analysis at the expense of meaning-focused input and genuine interaction.
Aiming for perfect exam scores can consume disproportionate time better spent on useful language practice.