Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

🔥 Learn languages like I do: lingq.com/learn-languages-like-steve-kaufmann?utm_source=yt&utm_medium=desc&utm_campaign=syt&utm_content=y7meNm4HTy0

CC subtitles available in multiple languages.

I started learning Mandarin in 1968 with flashcards and reel-to-reel tapes, and here is what I would do differently today.

⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Learning Mandarin in 1968
1:40 Characters, flashcards, and finding my own material
4:53 The real challenge: tones
5:45 How I would learn Mandarin today
9:45 The one habit that still matters

📺 WATCH NEXT:
youtu.be/Hl7MV5s8SKc?si=Be18AAFtuP63VHaU
youtu.be/YxCjyMNl8eU?si=DHYMw10JfjuMdoIr

🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST:
Soundcloud: bit.ly/3iZsbic
Apple: apple.co/3z1F1lD
Google: bit.ly/2W3DYmK
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK

💡 LEARN MORE:
Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: thelinguist.com
Download my FREE grammar guides: lingq.com/en/grammar-resource
Join the LingQ Discord server: discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN
Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: bit.ly/2MW83Ab
Read the LingQ language learning blog: bit.ly/35yvaqK

✅ FOLLOW ME:
My Instagram page: instagram.com/lingosteve_
My TikTok: tiktok.com/@lingosteve