A game-style app like ChineseSkill is a simple way to practice your Chinese on your own.

At the Chinese Language Institute we understand and hold a deep respect for the process of gaining fluency in Mandarin. Learning Chinese requires practice and commitment, among many elements. While the most direct route to Chinese fluency is arguably studying in China (at the CLI Center) the memorization of vocabulary and characters is a necessity on the path to fluency — thus making self-study integral to language learning.

The ChineseSkill panda logo

Using technology is often a nice way to spice up self-study. This blog post highlights a fun, free Mandarin learning app called ChineseSkill which 'gamifies' the learning process while mixing listening, reading, writing and speaking skills into memorable graphics and simple gameplay. ChineseSkill also has a built-in SRS — plus the company's logo is a cute little panda, and who doesn't like pandas?
The following are our 20 favorite summer-themed flashcards from ChineseSkill:
ChineseSkill flashcard, summer (xiàtiān): a red drink and a cut pineapple on a beach table ChineseSkill flashcard, rainbow (cǎihóng): a pastel rainbow between two clouds
ChineseSkill flashcard, to swim (yóuyǒng): a panda swimming in the sea ChineseSkill flashcard, bikini (bǐjīní): a striped and dotted bikini
ChineseSkill flashcard, to cycle (qíchē): a panda riding a bicycle with a basket ChineseSkill flashcard, Frappuccino (xīngbīnglè): two iced coffee drinks in Starbucks cups
ChineseSkill flashcard, watch movies (kàn diànyǐng): a panda in an armchair beside a film projector ChineseSkill flashcard, ice cream (bīngqílín): a popsicle and two ice cream cones
ChineseSkill flashcard, mango (mángguǒ): a yellow mango with a green leaf ChineseSkill flashcard, watermelon (xīguā): a watermelon with its red flesh showing
ChineseSkill flashcard, camera (xiàngjī): a vintage film camera ChineseSkill flashcard, take a picture (pāi zhàopiàn): a panda holding a camera among scattered photos
ChineseSkill flashcard, noodle (miàntiáo): a bowl of noodle soup with chopsticks ChineseSkill flashcard, sunny (qíng): a bright sun over green hills
ChineseSkill flashcard, rain (yǔ): rain falling on a red flower bud ChineseSkill flashcard, aircraft (fēijī): a white airplane among clouds
ChineseSkill flashcard, pizza (pīsà): a pizza in an open box ChineseSkill flashcard, steamed bun (bāozi): steamed buns in a bamboo basket
ChineseSkill flashcard, star (xīngxing): a white patterned star on a dark sky ChineseSkill flashcard, ping pong (pīngpāng): two red paddles and a ball

You can download ChineseSkill at the App Store or on Google Play and follow them on Facebook. Apps like this work best alongside an online Chinese tutor who can check your speaking.

We hope to study Mandarin in China together some day soon. Don't forget to follow CLI on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Want to practice your Chinese with a teacher? CLI teachers in Guilin teach one-on-one over video, and your first 30-minute lesson is free. Book a free lesson, or start the Free Chinese Course on your own.