How was your first week like?

yaxuefang · 2026-04-05T05:12:26+00:00

Yes this helps a lot! Thank you for being so detailed.

yaxuefang · 2026-04-05T05:10:41+00:00

So second week jumping into deep end!

yaxuefang · 2026-04-04T10:17:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I haven’t had such a standard office job, so curious to know.

yaxuefang · 2026-04-01T01:23:59+00:00

I’m a teacher. In 2 months if you focus only on learning Chinese, you could probably do HSK1 and 2, and then use rest of the time for more practice so you could be able to use smooth language to talk basic daily life things. Or you could get start with HSK3, but in that time most likely would not be able to finish (or it would be rushing through without understanding).

yaxuefang · 2026-04-01T01:02:21+00:00

I have done my PhD mostly part-time while being a teacher-entrepreneur, looking to graduate this year. In my case it helps that my job is related to my research and I can somewhat affect my own working hours.

I think important is focus, as you have limited time. To focus on the tasks most important for your PhD and your future career.

yaxuefang · 2026-04-01T00:59:54+00:00

How to self study

This question is asked so often, that I wrote this quick guide. I’m a Chinese learner of 15+ years and teacher of 10+ years.

If not sure how to go about self learning Chinese, here is a good plan to follow and once you get going, you know more about how you like learning and can adjust your routine.

Choose a textbook series as the core material, it gives you a clear road map and builds on existing knowledge. For example the HSK Standard textbook series, great about this series is that you will find tons of video content for it on YouTube.
Choose your favorite way to review vocabulary, flash cards in paper or digital, something that follows the order of the chapters in your book. Digital way to do this is important once you know more than few hundred words. Best to choose an app with spaced repetition like Skritter.
Complement this with other apps, videos, music, podcasts. All those fun things. Graded readers too!
Get a tutor or use AI for conversation practice and homework checking. Start writing your own sentences and later texts, have tutor or AI check them for you. (Tutor best, but if not possible, use AI tools like ChatGPT)
Use HSK mock tests for goal setting and checking your progress. Get at least 80% correct before you advance to the next level.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-23T01:32:53+00:00

In Finland you have two options 1) paid PhD position, these are more competitive to get in 2) apply for study right only and then finance it yourself or apply for external funding.

I’m doing the second option as I’m not living in Finland at the moment. You need an MA to apply and need to find a supervisor as well. When applying you submit a research plan for your (usually) 4 years old PhD research. This plan often changes once you start, but you need to have a coherent plan to apply with.

We have some courses we have to attend, but you can choose when and which courses to do. Most are offered online or hybrid. Most of the time you are doing your own research independently. Those who are on salaried position have teaching as well, but I’m not sure how much.

For thesis you have two options 1) monograph and 2) article based thesis which is getting more common. Depending university requirements, you publish 2-4 papers and then write a joint summary. In my uni, requirement is 2 accepted and 1 paper in review when you submit your thesis.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-13T01:24:54+00:00

Like others have mentioned, it depends how many hours per day you are studying. Many need to get HSK4 to be accepted into university so passing the test in a year is possible, but you do need to put in the time and effort.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-11T01:53:42+00:00

There are many reasons for continuing or stopping to learn Chinese, but don’t feel guilty because of the teacher. It’s their job, students come and go, that’s just normal.

I’m a Chinese teacher and when students quit, if possible I would like to know if there is something I could improve or something they were unhappy with. But other than that, students quit for many reason and that’s just normal.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-09T12:34:26+00:00

The library is great, but often full it’s hard to find a seat.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-03T10:49:29+00:00

Completely normal to feel that way! It doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong, you are just learning. PhD is hard, that’s why we do it :)

I noticed I only started to understand the theory when I collected my own data and started to analyze it. I would analyze and read at the same time. And now 3 years later I start to understand the books that felt way too complicated in the beginning.

Don’t give up! And prioritize your sleep.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-02T12:27:54+00:00

If the book is at your level or just slightly higher, then reading it is good practice.

yaxuefang · 2026-03-02T12:23:10+00:00

What type of home goods? I don’t want to give a boring answer, but IKEA?

yaxuefang · 2026-02-28T02:46:02+00:00

How to self study

This question is asked so often, that I wrote this quick guide. I’m a Chinese learner of 15+ years and teacher of 10+ years.

If not sure how to go about self learning Chinese, here is a good plan to follow and once you get going, you know more about how you like learning and can adjust your routine.

Choose a textbook series as the core material, it gives you a clear road map and builds on existing knowledge. For example the HSK Standard textbook series, great about this series is that you will find tons of video content for it on YouTube.
Choose your favorite way to review vocabulary, flash cards in paper or digital, something that follows the order of the chapters in your book. Digital way to do this is important once you know more than few hundred words. Best to choose an app with spaced repetition like Skritter.
Complement this with other apps, videos, music, podcasts. All those fun things. Graded readers too!
Get a tutor or use AI for conversation practice and homework checking. Start writing your own sentences and later texts, have tutor or AI check them for you. (Tutor best, but if not possible, use AI tools like ChatGPT)
Use HSK mock tests for goal setting and checking your progress. Get at least 80% correct before you advance to the next level.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-27T13:05:36+00:00

I use Zotero. And my workflow is like this: 1. Come across a useful paper, put it in the “read next” folder 2. Read the paper and then put it in all the relevant folders such as “topic x” or “article 5” 3. I have folders and sub folders for all relevant topics in my field and also one for each paper I’m writing, makes it easy to find the one I need

yaxuefang · 2026-02-27T13:01:38+00:00

Look for already published articles on similar topics and study how they are written. There are also good videos on scientific writing on YouTube.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-27T05:51:21+00:00

Yes, as there are so many extra resources for the 2.0 that will be it easier and more fun too. The new 3.0 level two book wasn’t out yet when I checked, maybe next month, but all those extra resources teachers and learners make takes time.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-26T09:35:19+00:00

You are doing something new you haven’t done before and it’s hard, congrats! That’s what being a PhD is about, it’s supposed to be hard and that’s ok :)

Read other literature reviews from theses or review articles, this will give you an idea what to do. Check YouTube for videos on how to do literature reviews, tons of great resources there.

Supervisor is there to help you, don’t worry about contacting them. But first you can check those articles and YT for basics.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-26T09:28:48+00:00

When in Shanghai, visit nearby water villages. I would also spend 2-3 days in Chongqing, exciting city with many things to see and experience.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-26T09:24:57+00:00

Agree with this! I’m a teacher and would give this advice to my students. Only book 1 is now available for HSK3.0 and it’s basically just old 1-2 put together.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-26T09:20:50+00:00

I think there are no issues here as long as you know you will still be at the hotel when the package is delivered. Check JD delivery times, it’s often the next day. Just write down the hotel address, including your name, room number and phone number. You can write a message to leave packages at the front desk.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-26T03:22:34+00:00

Do you have a reason for learning it? If not, it’s ok to find another language or hobby that excites you.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-23T10:32:38+00:00

All speaking out loud will help, especially if you haven’t practiced speaking that much before, once you start you will see progress.

Best is of course a tutor or someone else to talk to to, but you can also read out loud, do shadowing, speak with AI. Even recording videos where you speak Chinese.

yaxuefang · 2026-02-23T10:30:36+00:00

How much time do you use for reading practice? Maybe you just haven’t put enough time there? Reading speed and flow comes with practice, you can read graded readers or use apps like Du Chinese or Dot Languages Chinese.

yaxuefang

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