The concept is simple yet brutally effective!
Every day, for 30 days, you’ll receive a few tasks to complete.
Days 1-2: The Intro Phase
The first few days will be an intro to the challenge: our goals for you, and an overview of the techniques we'll be covering.
Days 3-9: Show Your Stuff
As learners, we often fall back on short, simple answers. But think about what that kind of answer does in your native language...it often kills the conversation! "Show Your Stuff" is about giving longer, wordier replies to things. It gives the other person more chances to understand your thoughts, and more stuff to reply to, keeping the conversation going for longer and ultimately giving YOU more practice with the language!
Days 10-16: Language Islands
Language islands are short, pre-rehearsed speeches on topics you find interesting. Whether it's movies, music, technology, sports—whatever it is, it's something you enjoy talking about. Whenever a conversation starts to get "out to sea" (away from topics you're comfortable discussing), rather than letting the conversation die because you can't discuss the topic in Mandarin, you can steer it back to one of your islands so that the conversation can continue. It's a super useful technique, and it will take you a long way in your learning journey!
Langauge Days 17-23: How to Simplify
Often, you're able to discuss something in your native language that you don't have the vocabulary for in Mandarin. "Simplify" is about learning to discuss those things even if you don't have the vocabulary you need—how to explain things in very simple language, and extract the terminology from the person you're talking to. This is a great way to keep the conversation flowing, and it's also a great way to learn new words in context—and to practice using them on the spot!
Days 24-30: Bringing It All Together + Next Steps
In the last week, we'll discuss how to combine these three tools so that they enhance each other, as well as how to keep developing them as you get more advanced. These are tools that will be useful for the rest of your life, so this challenge is just the beginning! We'll also touch on some other tools briefly and give you some ideas for how to implement them in your learning.
AND
Each week during the challenge, I'll be conducting a few group Q&A/coaching sessions. I'll vary the times to accommodate for different time zones.
Plus, you'll get access to the Communication Strategies Community—a whole cohort of people going through the challenge along with you. Find an accountability partner, ask questions, and share tips—our communities are always super lively, and many people have made friends with people they met in the community.
The Results
By the end of the challenge you’ll have some powerful new tools in your arsenal—tools that allow you to communicate much more fluidly (and fluently!) at your current level. Yes, this challenge isn't about learning new words, phrases, or grammar points—it's about maximizing your use of what you know, so that you become able to use what you know more fluently.
And if you're like I was in my pre-intermediate stage, you'll get a lot of mileage out of these techniques!
We'll give you the tools, and we'll guide you through how to develop the tools for yourself.
All you need to do is show up and put in your time each day.
Ready to Speak More Fluidly?
We've meticulously organized the entire challenge, so all you need to do is show up and dive in!
Here's what you need to know to join us:
● Start date: December 1st
● Daily time commitment: 30 minutes
● Total duration: 30 days
The investment in your conversational transformation is just $97 — equivalent to a couple of sessions with a professional tutor.
All materials, video lessons, activities, and community interaction are included.
And lifetime access means you get to keep everything, even after the challenge is finished.
Click the "Enroll Now" button to sign up today.