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 speech about meaningful action: an audience and a reason

Connect a main point with a concrete example.

Goals & study plan
A speech about meaningful action: an audience and a reason

Trace the speech’s main point, example and proposed action. Respect the other person’s preferences and rest; an example can illustrate care without representing every person’s experience. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Connect a main point with a concrete example.
  • Explain why asking and offering choice matter.
  • Identify how a conclusion returns to the opening.

Journeys, journals & personal voice · Lessons 9–12

Speech · reading focus

Identify audience, viewpoint and supporting reasons. Revise a sentence so its purpose is clear.

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 / 22 tasks
Task checklist · 0 / 22 complete

Characters · 生字

Flip each card for stroke order. This lesson’s writing focus: 讲 · 应 · 听 · 证 · 呼 · 例.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

演讲

yǎn jiǎng

speech

倾听

qīng tīng

listen attentively

顽强

wán qiáng

tenacious

同理心

tóng lǐ xīn

empathy

例证

lì zhèng

illustrative evidence

呼应

hū yìng

echo or respond

Model sentences

演讲开头先提出中心观点,让听众知道接下来要讨论什么。

yǎn jiǎng kāi tóu xiān tí chū zhōng xīn guān diǎn, ràng tīng zhòng zhī dào jiē xià lai yào tǎo lùn shén me。

The opening of a speech states the main point so listeners know what will be discussed.

演讲者也要认真倾听现场反应,适当调整语速和停顿。

yǎn jiǎng zhě yě yào rèn zhēn qīng tīng xiàn chǎng fǎn yìng, shì dàng tiáo zhěng yǔ sù hé tíng dùn。

A speaker should also listen carefully to the audience's response and adjust pace and pauses when needed.

人物在困难中表现得十分顽强,却仍然可以接受别人的帮助。

rén wù zài kùn nán zhōng biǎo xiàn de shí fēn wán qiáng, què réng rán kě yǐ jiē shòu bié rén de bāng zhù。

The person shows great resilience in difficulty while still being able to accept help from others.

有同理心不等于替别人作决定,而是先理解对方的处境。

yǒu tóng lǐ xīn bù děng yú tì bié rén zuò jué dìng, ér shì xiān lǐ jiě duì fāng de chǔ jìng。

Empathy does not mean deciding for someone else; it begins with understanding their situation.

一个具体例证能说明观点,但不能代表所有人的经历。

yí ge jù tǐ lì zhèng néng shuō míng guān diǎn, dàn bù néng dài biǎo suǒ yǒu rén de jīng lì。

One specific example can illustrate a point, but it cannot represent everyone's experience.

结尾呼应开头的观点,再提出听众可以采取的行动。

jié wěi hū yìng kāi tóu de guān diǎn, zài tí chū tīng zhòng kě yǐ cǎi qǔ de xíng dòng。

The conclusion returns to the opening idea and then suggests an action listeners can take.

演讲稿

同学们,大家好,今天我想谈一个问题:怎样让身边的一次行动更有意义,我的回答是看见别人的需要,并认真做一件能够回应需要的事。

tóng xué men, dà jiā hǎo, jīn tiān wǒ xiǎng tán yí ge wèn tí: zěn yàng ràng shēn biān de yí cì xíng dòng gèng yǒu yì yì, wǒ de huí dá shì kàn jiàn bié rén de xū yào, bìng rèn zhēn zuò yí jiàn néng gòu huí yìng xū yào de shì。

Classmates, today I ask how an action can matter: notice another person's need and respond with a thoughtful action.

我听过一位重病女孩的故事,她还想读书、想见同学;这个愿望让我想到,陪伴也可以是很有意义的帮助。

wǒ tīng guò yí wèi zhòng bìng nǚ hái de gù shì, tā hái xiǎng dú shū、 xiǎng jiàn tóng xué; zhè ge yuàn wàng ràng wǒ xiǎng dào, péi bàn yě kě yǐ shì hěn yǒu yì yì de bāng zhù。

I have heard about a seriously ill girl who still wants to read and see classmates; her wish makes me think companionship can be meaningful help.

我们可以敬佩她的坚持,也要记得生病时悲伤、害怕或流泪都很正常,一个人的价值不能用有没有哭来判断,病情也不是意志强弱的考试。

wǒ men kě yǐ jìng pèi tā de jiān chí, yě yào jì de shēng bìng shí bēi shāng、 hài pà huò liú lèi dōu hěn zhèng cháng, yí ge rén de jià zhí bù néng yòng yǒu méi yǒu kū lái pàn duàn, bìng qíng yě bú shì yì zhì qiáng ruò de kǎo shì。

We can admire persistence while recognising sadness, fear and tears as normal; worth and illness are not tests of willpower.

如果我们想帮助遇到困难的同学,先问对方愿不愿意聊天,想看哪一本书,或者需要怎样的联系,比替他决定一定应该高兴更能表达尊重。

rú guǒ wǒ men xiǎng bāng zhù yù dào kùn nán de tóng xué, xiān wèn duì fāng yuàn bù yuàn yì liáo tiān, xiǎng kàn nǎ yì běn shū, huò zhě xū yào zěn yàng de lián xì, bǐ tì tā jué dìng yí dìng yīng gāi gāo xìng gèng néng biǎo dá zūn zhòng。

Asking a classmate whether they want conversation, a book or contact respects their wishes more than deciding they must be cheerful.

上个月,我们班有一位同学因病请假,我与老师商量,把课堂读过的故事录成简短的朗读,又让愿意参加的人写一句问候,没有要求对方马上回复。

shàng gè yuè, wǒ men bān yǒu yí wèi tóng xué yīn bìng qǐng jià, wǒ yǔ lǎo shī shāng liáng, bǎ kè táng dú guò de gù shì lù chéng jiǎn duǎn de lǎng dú, yòu ràng yuàn yì cān jiā de rén xiě yī jù wèn hòu, méi yǒu yāo qiú duì fāng mǎ shàng huí fù。

In this fictional example, we arrange short class-story recordings and optional greetings for an absent classmate without demanding an immediate reply.

准备时,有人想把所有作业都装进信封,我想到对方可能还需要休息,于是先问老师什么合适,把关心与安排联系起来,而不只计算送了多少东西。

zhǔn bèi shí, yǒu rén xiǎng bǎ suǒ yǒu zuò yè dōu zhuāng jìn xìn fēng, wǒ xiǎng dào duì fāng kě néng hái xū yào xiū xi, yú shì xiān wèn lǎo shī shén me hé shì, bǎ guān xīn yǔ ān pái lián xì qǐ lai, ér bù zhǐ jì suàn sòng le duō shǎo dōng xi。

We ask the teacher what is suitable rather than send all homework, connecting care with rest and appropriate arrangements.

后来收到一张简短的回信,我们很高兴,但也明白帮助不一定每次都有马上看见的结果,真正需要坚持的是倾听与考虑,而不是等待别人赞美自己。

hòu lái shōu dào yì zhāng jiǎn duǎn de huí xìn, wǒ men hěn gāo xìng, dàn yě míng bái bāng zhù bù yí dìng měi cì dōu yǒu mǎ shàng kàn jiàn de jié guǒ, zhēn zhèng xū yào jiān chí de shì qīng tīng yǔ kǎo lǜ, ér bú shì děng dài bié rén zàn měi zì jǐ。

A short reply delights us, but care does not always yield immediate visible results or praise.

一封不要求立刻回答的信,一段可以随时停下的朗读,都让帮助留下选择,也给对方保留休息的时间。

yì fēng bú yào qiú lì kè huí dá de xìn, yí duàn kě yǐ suí shí tíng xià de lǎng dú, dōu ràng bāng zhù liú xià xuǎn zé, yě gěi duì fāng bǎo liú xiū xi de shí jiān。

A letter without a demanded reply and a reading that can be paused offer choice and time to rest.

有时,我们以为帮助就是送东西,其实认真听一个人说话,也能让他感到自己没有被忘记。

yǒu shí, wǒ men yǐ wéi bāng zhù jiù shì sòng dōng xi, qí shí rèn zhēn tīng yí ge rén shuō huà, yě néng ràng tā gǎn dào zì jǐ méi yǒu bèi wàng jì。

Sometimes we think help means gifts, but listening carefully can also make someone feel remembered.

下一次遇见需要帮助的同学,请先停下脚步,问一问他希望怎样得到支持,再把愿意做的事情认真完成。

xià yí cì yù jiàn xū yào bāng zhù de tóng xué, qǐng xiān tíng xià jiǎo bù, wèn yī wèn tā xī wàng zěn yàng dé dào zhī chí, zài bǎ yuàn yì zuò de shì qíng rèn zhēn wán chéng。

Next time a classmate needs help, pause, ask how they want support and follow through on what you agree to do.

同学们,有意义的行动可以很小:等一个人把话说完,认真问一句需要什么,或者完成约好的帮助,我们从今天能够做到的一件事开始,谢谢大家。

tóng xué men, yǒu yì yì de xíng dòng kě yǐ hěn xiǎo: děng yí ge rén bǎ huà shuō wán, rèn zhēn wèn yī jù xū yào shén me, huò zhě wán chéng yuē hǎo de bāng zhù, wǒ men cóng jīn tiān néng gòu zuò dào de yí jiàn shì kāi shǐ, xiè xie dà jiā。

Meaningful action can be small: listen to completion, ask what is needed or honour promised help. Let us begin with one possible action today.

Conversation

A 演讲的主要观点是什么?

yǎn jiǎng de zhǔ yào guān diǎn shì shén me?

What is the speech's main point?

B 看见需要,并做能够回应需要的事。

kàn jiàn xū yào, bìng zuò néng gòu huí yìng xū yào de shì。

Notice needs and respond through appropriate action.

A 举例之前要交代什么?

jǔ lì zhī qián yào jiāo dài shén me?

What comes before the example?

B 先说观点,让听者知道例子说明什么。

xiān shuō guān diǎn, ràng tīng zhě zhī dào lì zi shuō míng shén me。

A main point identifying what the example illustrates.

A 女孩的价值取决于有没有哭吗?

nǚ hái de jià zhí qǔ jué yú yǒu méi yǒu kū ma?

Does the girl's worth depend on not crying?

B 不取决于,悲伤与害怕也是正常感受。

bù qǔ jué yú, bēi shāng yǔ hài pà yě shì zhèng cháng gǎn shòu。

No; sadness and fear are normal feelings.

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.