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One good way to learn is to hang around Chinese speaking children. Adults might be too forgiving by praising your Chinese when you don’t deserve it or pretending to understand you when they actually don’t. Children though, tend to be more direct. If they don’t understand you, you will see it in their faces. If you make a mistake they will be more up front with you. If you’re able to directly communicate with them without getting strange looks, then you know you’re on the right track!

Develop an ability to appreciate and take criticism well. Then show off this ability to those around you. Let them know that you appreciate their correcting your mistakes, in order for you to improve your Chinese. This is important, since most Chinese speakers won’t bother to correct you, to avoid being too critical. If however they know that their comments will be well received, it can be a valuable tool to find out which areas you need to work on.