Whether you're just beginning to learn Chinese or have been jabbering for some time, there is likely a software application that can improve your linguistic skills. With innovative and imaginative software, computer-assisted language learning, or CALL as its known in educational parlance, has become one of the best examples of how a monitor and keyboard have a distinct advantage over a textbook.
But first an important caveat: Learning a language from a computer is like having lunch with a snack vending machine. You're sure to find the company of a Chinese person preferable to even the most powerful software. Regardless of how well you might interface with educational software, it is still a face without a smile and is unlikely to hold your interest if you aren't independently interested in learning the language.
There was an Italian fellow in my first Chinese class who understood this better than anyone. A few weeks into our course, he began coming to school with a Chinese girl. They'd met at a bar and became quick friends despite the fact that neither had any idea what the other was saying. His proficiency with the language needless to say shot past everyone else's and we envied him his study regimen, which likely made no use of computer software. The point is this: Your ability to learn Chinese is directly proportional to your level of motivation for doing so. Software is not generally
motivating.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of the more popular software on the market. Since these programs are numerous and extensive (For example, Rosetta Stone's Chinese software offers nearly 600 hours of instruction), this review will focus on how to pick one best suited to your needs.
First, be aware that most programs are designed for people studying Chinese outside of a Chinese-speaking environment. The aforementioned Rosetta Stone prides itself on being the program chosen by the US State Department to train its foreign officers before they're assigned to their overseas posts. But those of us living in Taiwan have the benefit of already being immersed in Chinese. Enrolling in a class at a local bushiban might be more cost-effective than the more than US$300 you'll spend for Rosetta Stone's software. Moreover, most all Chinese language-learning software aims to teach a mainland pronunciation of Mandarin (and some teach only simplified character forms). While there's certainly nothing wrong with this and might even be considered preferable, it won't help you understand what the local version of "Taiwan guoyu." If you live in a Chinese-speaking environment, consider that to be your classroom.
If this is the case, the software you buy should supplement your learning rather than simulate a classroom. A program that aims to build vocabulary and grammar skills might be more worthwhile than one that claims will have you speaking Chinese in a short while.
Of these, Wenlin is probably the most extensive. Instead of loading the software with sound and video files of conversational practice, it's loaded with over 10,000 characters and 200,000 words and phrases. Others, such as Follow Me Chinese, typically contain only a few hundred characters and a little over a thousand phrases. However, the difference between these two is reflected in price. A program like Follow Me Chinese, Easy Chinese or Learn Chinese Now! cost under US$40 whereas Wenlin costs closer to US$200. Be wise to which programs are designed and marketed for the would-be tourist and which are made for serious students.
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