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

Bats and radar: signals that return

Describe echolocation and reflection.

Goals & study plan
Bats and radar: signals that return

Compare sound echoes with radar signals. Similar sending-and-returning patterns do not mean the signals are the same, and not every bat uses the same method. You can pause after any study block and continue later.

  • Describe echolocation and reflection.
  • Compare sound with electromagnetic waves.
  • Qualify a statement about different bat species.

Responsibility, landscapes & signals · Lessons 5–8

Science · reading focus

Identify the phenomenon, the explanation and the evidence. Distinguish observations from guesses and look for a limitation.

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: 号 · 回 · 声 · 信 · 射.

Lesson text · words, sentences and reading

Words & phrases

蝙蝠

biān fú

bat

回声

huí shēng

echo

信号

xìn hào

signal

反射

fǎn shè

reflection

雷达

léi dá

radar

障碍

zhàng ài

obstacle

Model sentences

蝙蝠在黑暗中也能灵活地飞行。

biān fú zài hēi àn zhōng yě néng líng huó de fēi xíng。

Bats can fly skilfully even in darkness.

声音碰到物体以后会形成回声。

shēng yīn pèng dào wù tǐ yǐ hòu huì xíng chéng huí shēng。

Sound forms an echo after it strikes an object.

蝙蝠发出高频声音,并接收返回的信号。

biān fú fā chū gāo pín shēng yīn, bìng jiē shōu fǎn huí de xìn hào。

A bat produces high-frequency sounds and receives the returning signals.

声波从墙面反射回来,方向发生了变化。

shēng bō cóng qiáng miàn fǎn shè huí lái, fāng xiàng fā shēng le biàn huà。

Sound waves reflect from the wall and change direction.

雷达利用相似的原理发现远处的物体。

léi dá lì yòng xiāng sì de yuán lǐ fà xiàn yuǎn chù de wù tǐ。

Radar uses a similar principle to detect distant objects.

返回信号可以帮助判断障碍的位置。

fǎn huí xìn hào kě yǐ bāng zhù pàn duàn zhàng ài de wèi zhì。

The returning signal can help determine the position of an obstacle.

蝙蝠和雷达

黄昏,天空渐渐暗下来,一只蝙蝠飞出藏身的地方。它转过树枝,掠过空地,又忽然改变方向,追上一只飞虫。黑暗没有使它停下翅膀。

huáng hūn, tiān kōng jiàn jiàn àn xià lai, yì zhī biān fú fēi chū cáng shēn de dì fang。 tā zhuǎn guò shù zhī, lüè guò kòng dì, yòu hū rán gǎi biàn fāng xiàng, zhuī shàng yì zhī fēi chóng。 hēi àn méi yǒu shǐ tā tíng xià chì bǎng。

At dusk, a bat leaves its shelter. It turns around branches, crosses an open space and suddenly changes direction to pursue an insect. Darkness does not stop its flight.

许多蝙蝠能够用回声定位。飞行时,它们发出很高频率的声音。声音碰到物体后反射回来,蝙蝠接收这些回声,从中获得周围环境的信息。

xǔ duō biān fú néng gòu yòng huí shēng dìng wèi。 fēi xíng shí, tā men fā chū hěn gāo pín lǜ de shēng yīn。 shēng yīn pèng dào wù tǐ hòu fǎn shè huí lái, biān fú jiē shōu zhè xiē huí shēng, cóng zhōng huò dé zhōu wéi huán jìng de xìn xī。

Many bats use echolocation. In flight, they emit high-frequency sounds. These bounce off objects and return, giving the bats information about their surroundings.

一只飞虫在前面移动,回声也随着位置变化。蝙蝠不断发出声音、接收回声,及时转向。它不需要先看清每一根树枝,便能在许多障碍之间穿行。

yì zhī fēi chóng zài qián miàn yí dòng, huí shēng yě suí zhe wèi zhì biàn huà。 biān fú bù duàn fā chū shēng yīn、 jiē shōu huí shēng, jí shí zhuǎn xiàng。 tā bù xū yào xiān kàn qīng měi yì gēn shù zhī, biàn néng zài xǔ duō zhàng ài zhī jiān chuān xíng。

As an insect moves ahead, its echoes change. The bat continually sends sounds and receives echoes, adjusting its direction. It can move among obstacles without first seeing every branch clearly.

这些声音通常超出人耳能够听到的范围。对人来说,夜里仿佛十分安静;对蝙蝠来说,返回的声音却带来丰富的线索。不过,不同种类的蝙蝠有不同的生活方式,并非全都使用同一种定位办法。

zhè xiē shēng yīn tōng cháng chāo chū rén ěr néng gòu tīng dào de fàn wéi。 duì rén lái shuō, yè lǐ fǎng fú shí fēn ān jìng; duì biān fú lái shuō, fǎn huí de shēng yīn què dài lái fēng fù de xiàn suǒ。 bù guò, bù tóng zhǒng lèi de biān fú yǒu bù tóng de shēng huó fāng shì, bìng fēi quán dōu shǐ yòng tóng yì zhǒng dìng wèi bàn fǎ。

These sounds are usually beyond human hearing. A night that seems quiet to us can give bats many clues through echoes. Different kinds of bats have different ways of living, and not all use the same locating method.

雷达也利用发出和返回的信号探测物体。它发出电磁波,接收反射回来的信号,帮助确定物体的位置。机场等地方可以利用雷达了解飞机的活动。

léi dá yě lì yòng fā chū hé fǎn huí de xìn hào tàn cè wù tǐ。 tā fā chū diàn cí bō, jiē shōu fǎn shè huí lái de xìn hào, bāng zhù què dìng wù tǐ de wèi zhì。 jī chǎng děng dì fang kě yǐ lì yòng léi dá liǎo jiě fēi jī de huó dòng。

Radar also detects objects through outgoing and returning signals. It sends electromagnetic waves and receives reflections to help locate objects. Airports and other places can use radar to track aircraft.

蝙蝠使用声音,雷达使用电磁波。两者的信号不同,却都能从返回的信息中发现远处的物体。发出、返回、接收,连成了一条看不见的探测路径。

biān fú shǐ yòng shēng yīn, léi dá shǐ yòng diàn cí bō。 liǎng zhě de xìn hào bù tóng, què dōu néng cóng fǎn huí de xìn xī zhōng fā xiàn yuǎn chù de wù tǐ。 fā chū、 fǎn huí、 jiē shōu, lián chéng le yì tiáo kàn bú jiàn de tàn cè lù jìng。

Bats use sound, while radar uses electromagnetic waves. Their signals differ, but both obtain information about objects from returning signals. Sending, returning and receiving form an invisible detection path.

夜更深了,蝙蝠仍在空中飞行。地面上的人没有听见它的声音,却能看见它灵活转弯的影子,悄悄穿过树梢。

yè gēng shēn le, biān fú réng zài kōng zhōng fēi xíng。 dì miàn shàng de rén méi yǒu tīng jiàn tā de shēng yīn, què néng kàn jiàn tā líng huó zhuǎn wān de yǐng zi, qiāo qiāo chuān guò shù shāo。

As night deepens, the bat continues flying. People on the ground cannot hear its calls, but can see its agile silhouette turning silently among the treetops.

Conversation

A 蝙蝠收到的回声从哪里来?

biān fú shōu dào de huí shēng cóng nǎ lǐ lái?

Where does the echo come from?

B 发出的声音碰到物体以后返回。

fā chū de shēng yīn pèng dào wù tǐ yǐ hòu fǎn huí。

An emitted sound returns after meeting an object.

A 雷达也用声音吗?

léi dá yě yòng shēng yīn ma?

Does radar use sound too?

B 不是,雷达使用电磁波。

bú shì, léi dá shǐ yòng diàn cí bō。

No; radar uses electromagnetic waves.

A 两个系统有什么相似之处?

liǎng gè xì tǒng yǒu shén me xiāng sì zhī chù?

What is similar about the systems?

B 都可以利用发出和返回的信号探测物体。

dōu kě yǐ lì yòng fā chū hé fǎn huí de xìn hào tàn cè wù tǐ。

Both can use sent and returning signals to detect objects.

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.