Mandarin Chinese is classified as one of the most difficult languages for speakers of English to learn. It has been said that an English speaker must have around 2200 hours in the classroom in order to reach fluency. Mandarin is classified as one of the most difficult languages, with Japanese, Korean, and Arabic for English speakers. It sounds insane, but it is possible to learn Chinese easy with the right techniques and resources.

Language study in the classroom is believed to be one of the best methods for learning a language. However, many people do not focus on the difficulties of learning in a classroom setting. Although the teacher of the class is usually a native speaker, it is important to note that your classmates are usually also English speakers. A classroom setting often pushes the slowest learners to speed up, while also slowing down the fastest learners.

Learning a language in a classroom gives you the unconscious impression that there is an average language learner. Despite the fact that you may be able to learn a language faster, you can easily become complacent knowing that you are surpassing many of your classmates.

A teacher has to teach to everyone. Every language teacher uses a curriculum designed for the average language learner. It is an unpleasant fact that in an average university classroom only about half of the students are truly passionate about the material they are learning. Therefore, if you want to learn fast you are somewhat at a disadvantage in a university language learning classroom.

With a language like Mandarin Chinese, classroom language learners are at particular disadvantage. The most challenging aspect of learning Mandarin Chinese is speaking and pronunciation. Although classroom learners have the opportunity to listen to a native speaker, and this is a valuable opportunity, most of the speaking practice happens between native speakers of English who are practicing their Chinese. Thus, classroom language learners are vulnerable to learning English accented Mandarin, at a slow rate.

Self-study is another option. Learning Chinese at home has its own disadvantages. Language learners must be self-motivated, and able to speak to native speakers of Mandarin Chinese either through the Internet, or in person. When you are learning a language from home, you are more likely to give up because you have no homework, and no one is evaluating your progress for credit.

However, if you want to learn Chinese fast and have the determination to motivate yourself to do the work, it should not take you 2200 hours to become fluent in Mandarin Chinese. It is possible to become fluent in much less time. You have the option to learn at your own pace, test your own progress, and learn Chinese faster than others believe is possible.