Thorough Investigation into Chinese Language Learning: What Actually Leads to Progress?

Glats (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President: Satoshi Sugihara), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Miyahara) and provider of the online Chinese conversation service 'CC LESSON,' conducted three surveys (totaling 333 participants) over approximately eight months starting in April 2025 regarding Chinese language learning. To systematically clarify what constitutes effective Chinese acquisition, they compared and analyzed results across different demographics, including high-scoring HSK participants, long-term online learners, and managers working in China, examining both common trends among successful learners and challenges faced by them.

■【Summary of Findings】What Learning Style is Necessary for Mastering Chinese?

Cross-analysis of the three surveys revealed that the responses from 333 learners with diverse goals consistently pointed to the following three points:

1. 1-on-1 personalized instruction is effective: 96.4% of advanced HSK scorers answered that '1-on-1 lessons are effective.'
2. Consistency for at least 3 months, little by little, leads to progress: 81.1% of consistent learners reported feeling the 'joy' of learning only after continuing for at least 3 months.
3. Dialogue with native speakers builds practical skills: Managers who studied Chinese reported that opportunities for direct communication with native speakers are the most lacking.

■①Why Group Lessons Fall Short: The Efficacy of '1-on-1' Learning

In a survey of 111 individuals who scored high (180+ points) on the difficult HSK levels 5 and 6, 98.2% reported experiencing frustration or dissatisfaction with group classes. The primary reasons cited included 'an atmosphere that made it difficult to ask questions' (60.6%), 'not being able to proceed at their own pace' (47.7%), and 'feedback that was general rather than individualized' (41.3%).

Conversely, 96.4% answered that 1-on-1 conversation lessons are effective. Among 111 long-term online learners, reasons for continuing for at least 3 months included 'being able to choose a teacher that suited them from a wide selection' (36.9%) and 'being able to concentrate on the lesson in a one-on-one setting' (35.1%).

Chinese is a language where meaning can change entirely based on tone (the four tones) despite the same pronunciation. This unique sense of 'sound' is difficult to acquire through textbooks alone, making on-the-spot feedback on one's own pronunciation crucial. While group classes have limited time to correct individual pronunciation, a 1-on-1 environment allows for instruction tailored to the learner's weaknesses and habits.

The efficacy of the 1-on-1 format is also supported by memory mechanisms. While memorizing vocabulary from textbooks often remains as 'semantic memory,' the experience of using words in conversation with an instructor is stored as 'episodic memory'—linked to experiences such as 'when, with whom, and in what context' they were used. Episodic memory is known to be more durable and easier to recall in practical situations, suggesting that dense 1-on-1 dialogues are more likely to form such memories.

■②Progress Happens After Continuing 'A Little Bit Every Day' for 3 Months: Overcoming the Initial 'Valley'

In a survey of 111 people who continued online Chinese study for over 100 days, 81.1% reported that they began to feel the enjoyment of learning after passing the 3-month mark. In other words, the first 3 months are a 'valley' period where results are hard to see...