The author challenges traditional estimates of the time it takes to achieve fluency in Mandarin Chinese, claiming to have reached a comfortable conversational level in less than a year and 1500 total hours of study. They emphasize the importance of immersive learning experiences, personalized tutoring, and consistent daily practice. The author shares detailed insights into their language learning journey, including the use of spaced repetition, frequent conversations with tutors, and extensive travel to Chinese-speaking regions. While acknowledging ongoing challenges with tone pronunciation and native-level fluency, the author celebrates their progress and encourages others to pursue their language learning goals.
https://isaak.net/mandarin/