There are a number of reasons to choose a reputable online language program over free options when you finally decide to learn Chinese. Software gives learners a direct path, and more importantly allows them to monitor their progress on that path. The key to personal confidence and enjoyment in language learning is the ability to see how far you've come already, and measure the skills you've acquired. Unless you can do this, it will always feel like you're treading water and trying to swim across the pacific ocean.
No matter the reason you need to learn Chinese, software can make things easier for you. The first important feature you should look for is the availability of games. It might feel at first like games are a time waster, and allowing you to procrastinate from the "important" parts of language learning, like memorizing vocabulary and tackling grammar. This couldn't be further from the truth. Language is by its very nature creative and playful, and making games a central part of your language learning schedule not only ensures that you'll be having fun while you're learning, but that the most creative parts of your brain are engaged in learning Chinese.
To help you learn Chinese, software should also have some way of measuring your progress. Ideally, the software should have unit tests in order to make sure that you have adequately mastered the concepts of individual modules in the program, as well as more comprehensive grammar and fluency tests at different points in order to ensure that you're making significant overall progress. It's important to know that you've mastered small portions of the program, but it can give you a serious confidence boost to know that your level of overall fluency has improved.
Lastly, to help you learn Chinese software should offer you support. Otherwise, you are almost as well off with a set of flashcards and a book with a CD. Choose a program that includes support from actual language teachers and native speakers of Chinese. This makes all the difference because as a language learner you will eventually encounter some problems you can't solve yourself, or get frustrated with something that makes you want to drop the whole language altogether. In these moments, some real support from real people, and the opportunity to use your language skills in real conversation, is invaluable.
When choosing a program to learn Chinese, software is a great option. Other options exist if you want to save some money and consider yourself both self-motivated, and a skilled internet researcher, but the benefits of a language program with games, tests, and support are self evident.
Justin White lives in Jhubei Taiwan, and frantically works at learning Chinese.
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