Best YouTube Channels for Learning Mandarin Chinese

by Jaap Grolleman | Jun 17, 2024

Learning Mandarin Chinese, one of the world’s most spoken languages, has become increasingly accessible thanks to educational resources on YouTube. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your language skills, YouTube offers a plethora of channels dedicated to Mandarin Chinese learning. From comprehensive lessons to cultural insights, these channels cater to diverse learning styles and proficiency levels. Here’s a curated list of the best YouTube channels for mastering Mandarin Chinese:

1. That’s Mandarin

That’s Mandarin is a reputable Chinese school, teaching online, and in cities like Shanghai and Beijing. It brings this experience to of Chinese Mandarin language teaching to YouTube, offering structured lessons and practical tips for mastering Mandarin Chinese. The channel covers fundamental grammar rules, pronunciation techniques, and cultural insights to enrich the learning experience.

Example video: “HSK3-Graded Video: Say Goodbye to Your Ayi | Learn Chinese”:

2. Yoyo Chinese

Yoyo Chinese is renowned for its structured approach to teaching Mandarin, focusing on practical conversation skills and grammar. The channel, led by Yangyang Cheng, offers clear explanations and engaging lessons suitable for beginners and intermediate learners alike.

Example video: “The golden rule of Chinese Word Order”:

3. ChineseClass101

ChineseClass101 provides a variety of lessons ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Each video incorporates cultural context and everyday dialogue, making it ideal for learners interested in both language proficiency and cultural understanding.

Example video: “Survival Phrases in Mandarin Chinese” offers essential phrases for travelers or newcomers to Mandarin.

4. Learn Chinese with ChineseClass101.com

This channel is an extension of the ChineseClass101 website, offering a wide range of lessons, vocabulary drills, and cultural insights. The videos are designed to enhance listening comprehension and speaking proficiency through interactive exercises.

Example video: “Top 10 Hardest Words to Pronounce in Mandarin Chinese” breaks down pronunciation challenges with tips for improvement.

5. Mandarin Monkey

Mandarin Monkey combines humor with effective language teaching methods to create engaging content for Mandarin learners. The channel covers diverse topics such as grammar explanations, vocabulary expansion, and practical language use in daily scenarios.

Example video, about Zai (在):

6. Everyday Chinese

Everyday Chinese offers bite-sized lessons focusing on practical Mandarin skills for everyday communication. The channel emphasizes conversational phrases, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances, making it a valuable resource for immersive learning.

Example video: “How to Order Food in Mandarin Chinese: Restaurant Dialogue” demonstrates ordering etiquette and common phrases used in Chinese restaurants.

7. Mandarin Corner

Mandarin Corner on YouTube extends its platform to provide detailed explanations on grammar rules, pronunciation tips, and language practice exercises. The channel’s content is structured to support learners at various stages of proficiency, from beginners to advanced speakers.

Example video: “A walk after the Typhoon”:

Why Choose YouTube for Learning Mandarin Chinese?

As a Chinese learner, you might be wondering where to find some raw, authentic content in Chinese: TV shows, reality shows, vlogs, interviews with interesting people, and so on. Well, look no further — in this post we will look at 5 popular Chinese video sharing platforms that can work as alternatives to Youtube for you with an abundance of video content in Mandarin Chinese.

YouTube stands out as an ideal platform for learning Mandarin Chinese due to several key advantages:

Accessible Content: Videos are available on-demand, allowing learners to study at their own pace and revisit challenging topics.
Variety of Content: Channels offer a diverse range of learning materials, including vocabulary drills, grammar tutorials, cultural insights, and real-life conversations.
Community Engagement: Viewers can interact with instructors and fellow learners through comments and discussion forums, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Whether you’re aiming to improve your Mandarin for travel, business, or personal enrichment, these YouTube channels provide valuable resources to enhance your language skills effectively. Start exploring these channels today and embark on a rewarding journey towards fluency in Mandarin Chinese!

Alternatives to Youtube in China

优酷 (Yōukù): the Chinese version of Youtube

Youku | That's Mandarin Blog

The name 优酷 (Yōukù) sounds similar to Youtube — and in essence, that’s the Chinese version of it. In China, Youku is one of the most famous social media platforms where you can find numerous videos covering any genre. Some expats may wonder if only Chinese videos can be seen on Youku as it is a Chinese website. Well, if you also think that Youku is designed to only accommodate Chinese netizens’ requirements, I’m afraid you underestimate its “real power”. Despite the fact that Youku contains predominantly Chinese movies and video clips, a large number of movies in different languages are included in the database. Just like how it works on Youtube, you will be allowed to upload videos with appropriate content once you create an account on Youku.

Paid Content: However, not everything on Youku is free. Some videos and movies are only available for VIP members, which means you will need to make a monthly payment in order to gain access to them. Some platforms are similar to Youku. Youku has some strong competitors in China, which are also well-known among Chinese netizens below.