More than words: Structure is the key to learning a language

I come from Tajikistan, a mountainous land in Central Asia, where Tajik — a variety of Persian — is my native tongue. Early on I learned Russian, then English, but Chinese seemed like a mountain I'd never climb. When I arrived in China, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, I could recognize characters but could hardly speak. I was quiet, tentative, anxious about making mistakes. Motivation? It wasn't enough. What I lacked was structure.

One afternoon I attended a poetry recital. I heard Chinese verses, felt their rhythm, and I realized: I needed more than words, I needed a system. I designed my own daily plan: write 25 Chinese characters every day, about two hours each session; play soft piano melodies in the background, to make study calm and avoid stress; tell myself, "Don't be afraid of making mistakes — just start."

Soon, mistakes felt less scary. I remembered how as a child I learned to speak my first words, stumbled and fell, but kept trying. My teacher's words echoed, "If you are scared of making mistakes, you would never learn to speak."

That structured habit made learning Chinese feel less like a chore and more like a part of me.

During my studies in Hangzhou, I often took part in cultural events — singing Chinese songs, reading poems, and joining volunteer programs. One unforgettable moment happened when I was teaching English to children. I brought my guitar and started singing You Are My Sunshine. The children sang along, smiling, and in their eyes, I suddenly saw myself — a student who was once just as scared to speak, but kept going anyway.

It was important for me to clarify that this was volunteer work, not a formal teaching position. My role was to inspire confidence and curiosity, not to replace professional instruction. This experience not only improved my language skills but also taught me patience, empathy, and the value of cultural exchange.

A strategy for learning a language:

1. Start with small, daily actions — 25 characters, 10 new words, 15 minutes of speaking. You'll build momentum.

2. Get comfortable. A quiet melody, a calm environment, and studying becomes something you will look forward to.

3. Speak early, speak often, and don't wait for perfection. Remember how you learned to say "mama" and "dada" — start now.

4. Connect with culture. Join events, sing, volunteer, and meet people. Language emerges naturally when you live it.

5. Reflect and adapt. After a month, ask yourself: What has helped? What seemed boring? Adjust your study patterns to reflect your answers.

At Shanghai Jiao Tong University, I feel confident. I don't translate in my head, instead I laugh and dream in Chinese. I have learned that language is not just a tool — it's a new lens on life.

If you're learning a new language now, don't wait for motivation. Build your structure and live the culture. Speak your truth.

The author is studying the Chinese language at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He is passionate about cross-cultural communication, multilingual learning, and volunteering as a bridge between people and languages.