Mandarin Meadow
A little Mandarin, every day.

Help & FAQ 常见问题

Practising Mandarin

How do Listen, Record, Play mine and Compare work?

Listen plays the example. You can skip listening and record straight away. Tap Record, say the item, then tap Stop. A successful recording completes that item’s task. Play mine plays your voice; Compare plays the model, then your voice.

“Recorded” means you practised; it is not a pronunciation score. Listen for tones, rhythm and light syllables. You can record again. Try a few items at a time and take a break when needed.

Where do my recordings and completed tasks go?

Voice clips stay in this browser tab. Reloading, closing the tab or leaving the website clears them. Opening this help page keeps your clips available. Completed tasks remain saved even when a voice clip is gone, so Play mine and Compare become available after a new recording.

Learners have separate progress. Use the learner’s progress backup or sign-in sync to carry supported learning progress between devices. Voice clips are not included in backups or sync.

How can I read a longer text?

Use the Listen button beside each part. Pause or stop with the audio controls, then continue when ready. Pinyin + English and Useful expressions provide optional support. Short texts have one Listen button.

How do character animations and tracing work?

Flip a character card to see the writing controls. Replay shows the strokes; Trace lets you try them. The lesson’s writing focus identifies which characters to practise first. Printable pages are available in Practice.

Choosing a course & reviewing

How do I choose a starting point?

Each course page lists what to know before starting and what you will practise. Choose by what you can understand and do in Mandarin. Later literature and social themes are intended for teenagers and adults ready for extended reading and discussion; language support remains available.

How do the cumulative reviews work?

Open Review & connect on a course page, or use the extra review in the Review tab after each study block. Earlier vocabulary, sentence patterns and readings return in short recall questions, followed by a written response. First choices and retries remain saved. The written reflection is self-reviewed, with room for different supported answers.

Can I spread a long reading over several days?

Yes. Open Goals & study plan for reading sessions linked to each part. Read one part in a sitting, then connect the parts and complete the reading tasks when ready. The short Course 7 bridge readings have optional longer versions; the longer version is not required.

Chinese typing

How do I type Chinese and use written responses?

Add a Simplified Chinese Pinyin keyboard in your device’s keyboard or language settings. On iPhone/iPad, look under Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards. On Android, use your keyboard’s Languages settings. On Windows or Mac, use language or input-source settings. Select the Chinese keyboard, type pinyin, then choose the intended characters.

Later readings include a short written response. Drafts are saved to the active learner’s progress as you type. You can save a response, compare it with a possible supporting detail, and revise it. These responses are not automatically graded; different reasoned answers can work. Progress backup and supported sign-in sync include saved responses.

Microphone setup

What if microphone access is blocked?

Tap Record and allow microphone access when your browser asks. If access was denied, change this website’s microphone permission to Allow or Ask. Your device must also let the browser use its microphone. Return to the lesson and try Record again; reload only if your browser requires it. Reloading clears voice clips in this tab.

Open Mandarin Meadow directly in your browser if recording is unavailable in an embedded window. If the microphone is busy, close other apps using it. For children, a parent or carer can help with permission settings.

iPhone or iPad · Safari
  1. Open this website in Safari, then tap Record and allow the request.
  2. If blocked, open Safari’s page menu beside the address, find Website Settings (or More, then Website Settings), and change Microphone to Ask or Allow for this website.
  3. You can also check Settings → Apps → Safari → Microphone; older versions may show Safari directly in Settings. Return to Safari and try again.

Menu names vary by version. Apple’s Safari settings guide

Android phone or tablet · Chrome
  1. In Chrome, open Settings → Site settings → Microphone. Allow this website or remove its blocked permission, then try Record again.
  2. If still blocked, check Android Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions → Microphone, and allow access while using the app.

Google’s microphone guide for Android

Mac · Safari or Chrome

In Safari, use Settings → Websites → Microphone and choose Ask or Allow for this website. In Chrome, open the controls beside the address → Site settings → Microphone → Allow.

If the browser is blocked by macOS, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and allow the browser if listed. Relaunch it if requested; relaunching clears current voice clips.

Safari website settings · Chrome microphone settings

Windows · Chrome or Edge

Open the controls beside the website address and allow Microphone in this site’s permissions. In Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone, check microphone access and permission for desktop apps. On older Windows versions, look under Privacy.

Microsoft’s microphone settings guide

Firefox

Use the permissions icon beside the address to remove a blocked microphone permission, then tap Record and allow the new request. You can also review Microphone under Firefox Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions. Check your device’s microphone permission for Firefox too.

Mozilla’s permission guide

A family concert: listening is part of performing

Describe a rehearsal and shared rhythm.

Goals & study plan
A family concert: listening is part of performing

Knowing individual parts is different from playing together. Follow pace, timing and recovery from a pause; useful feedback identifies a concrete detail. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Describe a rehearsal and shared rhythm.
  • Explain how the duet loses and regains coordination.
  • Turn feedback into a specific plan.

Culture, performance & choices · Lessons 1–4

Music · reading focus

Trace events, perspective and a meaningful detail. Explain your interpretation and consider another possible view.

Reading sessions · 3 parts
  1. Session 1 · Part 1

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  2. Session 2 · Part 2

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  3. Session 3 · Part 3

    Read this part, identify the main event or idea, and note one useful detail.

  4. Connect & respond

    Link the parts, try the reading checks, then write or explain a supported response. Complete the dialogue recordings in short blocks.

Words & sentences

5–8 minutes

Learn the core expressions and record in short blocks.

Reading & dialogue

10–15 minutes per sitting

Read one part per sitting. Use the reading sessions in this plan, then connect the parts and practise the dialogue in short blocks.

Practice & review

5–10 minutes

Practise the writing focus and revisit your first-choice answers.

Help with self-study

Try each item in a short block. Listen when needed, record when ready, and use the hints to retry. Pinyin and English can be turned off independently.

Show support:
Pronunciation & learning options

Pinyin shows how to say a word. The mark above a vowel shows its tone.

mā1. High and level
má2. Rising
mǎ3. Low, then rising
mà4. Falling

Watch the tone marks and listen for the rhythm of the whole phrase. Light syllables are short; pauses belong between meaningful groups.

Characters0 / 18 tasks
Task checklist · 0 / 18 complete

Characters · 生字

Flip each card for stroke order. This lesson’s writing focus: 奏 · 节 · 目 · 励 · 伴 · 练.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

演奏

yǎn zòu

perform music

节目

jié mù

programme item

节奏

jié zòu

rhythm

伴奏

bàn zòu

accompaniment

排练

pái liàn

rehearse

鼓励

gǔ lì

encourage

Model sentences

姐姐演奏小提琴,弟弟负责翻乐谱。

jiě jie yǎn zòu xiǎo tí qín, dì di fù zé fān yuè pǔ。

The older sister performs on the violin while her younger brother turns the music pages.

家庭音乐会的第一个节目是一首合唱。

jiā tíng yīn yuè huì de dì yī ge jié mù shì yì shǒu hé chàng。

The first item in the family concert is a choral song.

大家跟着稳定的节奏一起拍手。

dà jiā gēn zhe wěn dìng de jié zòu yì qǐ pāi shǒu。

Everyone claps together in a steady rhythm.

妈妈弹钢琴,为孩子们的歌声伴奏。

mā ma tán gāng qín, wèi hái zi men de gē shēng bàn zòu。

Mum plays the piano to accompany the children's singing.

正式演出以前,全家在客厅排练了两次。

zhèng shì yǎn chū yǐ qián, quán jiā zài kè tīng pái liàn le liǎng cì。

Before the performance, the whole family rehearses twice in the living room.

弟弟忘记歌词时,家人用微笑鼓励他继续唱。

dì di wàng jì gē cí shí, jiā rén yòng wēi xiào gǔ lì tā jì xù chàng。

When the younger brother forgets the words, his family encourages him with smiles to keep singing.

家庭音乐会

星期六,家里准备举行一场小小的音乐会。小雨弹钢琴,哥哥拉小提琴,爸爸负责介绍节目,奶奶坐在旁边,等着听大家演奏。

xīng qī liù, jiā lǐ zhǔn bèi jǔ xíng yì chǎng xiǎo xiǎo de yīn yuè huì。 xiǎo yǔ tán gāng qín, gē ge lā xiǎo tí qín, bà ba fù zé jiè shào jié mù, nǎi nai zuò zài páng biān, děng zhe tīng dà jiā yǎn zòu。

A small family concert is planned for Saturday: Yu plays piano, her brother violin, Father introduces items, and Grandmother listens.

他们先商量顺序,把需要两人配合的曲子放在单独练习以后。哥哥原以为各自会弹自己的部分,合在一起就不会出问题。

tā men xiān shāng liáng shùn xù, bǎ xū yào liǎng rén pèi hé de qǔ zi fàng zài dān dú liàn xí yǐ hòu。 gē ge yuán yǐ wéi gè zì huì tán zì jǐ de bù fèn, hé zài yì qǐ jiù bú huì chū wèn tí。

They arrange the order and rehearse a duet after individual practice; her brother initially assumes knowing both parts guarantees a successful combination.

第一次合奏,小雨越弹越快,哥哥却保持原来的速度,两种声音很快分开了。妈妈没有说谁不好,而是请他们一起找节奏不一致的地方。

dì yī cì hé zòu, xiǎo yǔ yuè tán yuè kuài, gē ge què bǎo chí yuán lái de sù dù, liǎng zhǒng shēng yīn hěn kuài fēn kāi le。 mā ma méi yǒu shuō shuí bù hǎo, ér shì qǐng tā men yì qǐ zhǎo jié zòu bù yī zhì de dì fang。

Yu speeds up while her brother maintains his pace; Mother asks them to find where rhythms diverge rather than blaming either performer.

他们重新数拍子,一边听自己的声音,一边听对方的进入时机。练习不再只是把错音改掉,也包括等待、呼吸和互相回应。

tā men chóng xīn shǔ pāi zi, yì biān tīng zì jǐ de shēng yīn, yì biān tīng duì fāng de jìn rù shí jī。 liàn xí bù zài zhǐ shì bǎ cuò yīn gǎi diào, yě bāo kuò děng dài、 hū xī hé hù xiāng huí yìng。

They count again, listening to their own sound and the other's entry; practice now includes waiting, breathing and responding as well as fixing notes.

正式演出时,哥哥有一处忘了下一句。小雨停下来等他,两人从熟悉的地方继续,家人给了鼓励,没有把一次停顿看成全部失败。

zhèng shì yǎn chū shí, gē ge yǒu yí chù wàng le xià yī jù。 xiǎo yǔ tíng xià lai děng tā, liǎng rén cóng shú xī de dì fang jì xù, jiā rén gěi le gǔ lì, méi yǒu bǎ yí cì tíng dùn kàn chéng quán bù shī bài。

When her brother forgets a phrase, Yu waits and they restart at a familiar point; the family encourages them without treating a pause as total failure.

每个节目结束以后,大家说一个喜欢的细节。奶奶提到两个人重新开始时互相看了一眼,觉得那是合作的重要时刻。

měi gè jié mù jié shù yǐ hòu, dà jiā shuō yí ge xǐ huan de xì jié。 nǎi nai tí dào liǎng gè rén chóng xīn kāi shǐ shí hù xiāng kàn le yī yǎn, jué de nà shì hé zuò de zhòng yào shí kè。

After each item, listeners name a favourite detail; Grandmother values the exchanged glance when the duet restarts as a moment of cooperation.

演出后,家人各说一个听得清楚的地方,再给下一次提一条建议。

yǎn chū hòu, jiā rén gè shuō yí ge tīng de qīng chu de dì fang, zài gěi xià yí cì tí yì tiáo jiàn yì。

Afterwards each family member names one clear moment and offers a suggestion for next time.

小雨在节目单背面写,下一次要先约定速度,也要练习出错后的继续办法。具体建议,比一句再努力一点更能指导准备。

xiǎo yǔ zài jié mù dān bèi miàn xiě, xià yí cì yào xiān yuē dìng sù dù, yě yào liàn xí chū cuò hòu de jì xù bàn fǎ。 jù tǐ jiàn yì, bǐ yī jù zài nǔ lì yì diǎn gèng néng zhǐ dǎo zhǔn bèi。

Yu notes specific next steps—agree a pace and practise recovery—rather than the vague instruction to try harder.

音乐会没有比赛名次,却让大家有机会表演与倾听。小雨发现,比起只等着轮到自己,关注别人的声音,更能让共同的活动完整。

yīn yuè huì méi yǒu bǐ sài míng cì, què ràng dà jiā yǒu jī huì biǎo yǎn yǔ qīng tīng。 xiǎo yǔ fā xiàn, bǐ qǐ zhǐ děng zhe lún dào zì jǐ, guān zhù bié rén de shēng yīn, gèng néng ràng gòng tóng de huó dòng wán zhěng。

The concert has no rankings, but invites performance and listening; attending to others completes a shared activity better than merely waiting for one's turn.

Conversation

A 你们为什么先排练合奏?

nǐ men wèi shén me xiān pái liàn hé zòu?

Why rehearse the duet?

B 各自会演奏,不表示节奏一定配合。

gè zì huì yǎn zòu, bù biǎo shì jié zòu yí dìng pèi hé。

Knowing individual parts does not guarantee matching rhythm.

A 第一次出现了什么问题?

dì yī cì chū xiàn le shén me wèn tí?

What went wrong initially?

B 我越弹越快,哥哥保持原来的速度。

wǒ yuè tán yuè kuài, gē ge bǎo chí yuán lái de sù dù。

I sped up while my brother maintained his pace.

A 你们怎样改进?

nǐ men zěn yàng gǎi jìn?

How did you improve?

B 一起数拍子,也听对方什么时候进入。

yì qǐ shǔ pāi zi, yě tīng duì fāng shén me shí hou jìn rù。

We counted together and listened for the other's entry.

Sources & image credits

Curriculum references: 幼儿汉语 1–4 and 中文 1–12. Lessons are organised by learning themes and include original texts and graded adaptations.

Scene illustrations: Twemoji, © Twitter and contributors, CC BY 4.0. Pilot word-card illustrations are original AI-generated images.