Here is a short video I made, which elaborates on key differences between English and Chinese to help Chinese learners grasp them. By distinguishing these fundamental differences, the video may assist both Chinese learners of English and English learners of Chinese in understanding the nuances of these languages.
In my opinion, Chinese learners commonly make the following mistakes in English, which I've highlighted:
Verb Tenses: This is a significant area, stemming from the absence of tense in Chinese. Specific issues include:
Confusing the usage of the present perfect and past simple.
Incorrect application of future auxiliaries (e.g., "will").
Misusing the simple present tense for ongoing actions.
Difficulties with passive voice forms and conditional tenses.
Word Morphology (Word Forms): Due to Chinese being an isolating language (where words do not change form), common difficulties are noted with:
Correctly applying verb endings (e.g., "-s" for third-person singular, "-ed" for past tense, "-ing" for continuous forms).
Forming correct noun plurals (both regular and irregular).
Using correct adjective comparisons (e.g., "-er," "-est").
Properly using pronoun cases (e.g., distinguishing between "he" and "him").
Clarity, Conciseness, and Natural Flow: Many mistakes can be attributed to challenges in sentence structure, word choice, and overall flow, which hinder the achievement of more natural, idiomatic, and concise English expression. This includes:
Avoiding redundancy in phrasing.
Improving sentence structure for better readability.
Ensuring appropriate formality and professionalism in different contexts.
Relevant YouTube videos：
Must-know
Chinese (Mandarin) Phrases to Learn in 1 Minute #ShortsLearning
English - More STUDY TIPS For Chinese Speakers - YouTube
ENGLISH
Tips for CHINESE Speakers
📘 Foundational Reading:
Contrastive Grammar & Linguistics
|
Resource |
Description |
|
Chinese-English Contrastive Grammar: An Introduction |
A practical guide to common ESL errors by Chinese
learners, covering phonology, syntax, and pragmatics. |
|
Contrastive Analysis of Chinese and English Syntax |
A generative grammar approach to structural
differences—great for academic framing. |
|
Grammatical Contrastive Analysis of English and Chinese
Basic Structures (UBC Thesis) |
A classic thesis applying Lado’s contrastive method to
predict learner difficulties. |
🧠 Teaching Strategies
& Pedagogical Insights
|
Resource |
Description |
|
How to Teach English to Chinese Speakers: 14 Effective
Tips |
Covers cultural context, pronunciation, grammar, and
classroom strategies. |
|
FluentU’s Guide to Teaching Chinese Students |
Emphasizes rhythm, stress, and pronunciation challenges
with actionable classroom activities. |
|
Your Cheat Sheet for Teaching English to Chinese Students |
A culturally sensitive guide with tips on rapport,
classroom management, and learner psychology. |
|
Teaching Strategies for Chinese Students in
English-Speaking Countries (PDF) |
Research-based insights into pedagogical mismatches and
how to scaffold learning. |
🗣️ Pronunciation &
Speaking Tools
|
Tool |
Use
Case |
|
Rachel’s English YouTube Channel |
Clear explanations of American English sounds, stress, and
intonation. |
|
ELSA Speak |
AI-powered pronunciation feedback tailored to non-native
speakers. |
|
Sounds of English (BBC) |
Free, structured lessons on English phonemes and connected
speech. |
🧩 Interactive Learning
Platforms
|
Platform |
Features |
|
Duolingo English for Chinese Speakers |
Gamified learning with Chinese interface and scaffolded
grammar. |
|
HelloTalk |
Language exchange app connecting Chinese and English
speakers. |
|
Quizlet |
Flashcards and games for vocabulary and grammar drills. |
