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Getting Started with Fluentspeak

Welcome to Fluentspeak! We're excited to help you on your journey to mastering Chinese. Our platform is designed to be flexible, allowing you to learn in the way that suits you best. This guide will walk you through the basics to get you up and running.

1. Finding Your Way Around: Browsing Content

Fluentspeak offers various types of learning materials. The best place to start exploring is the Browse section, accessible from the main navigation menu.

2. Interacting with Chinese Text: The Interaction Bar

As you explore content like Articles, Lessons, or Sentence Lists, you'll frequently encounter the Interaction Bar. This is your control panel for viewing Chinese text:

  • Toggle Pinyin: Show or hide pronunciation guides.
  • Toggle Translations: Show or hide English translations.
  • Toggle Interaction Mode: Switch between detailed character pop-ups (great for learning!) and sentence highlighting (better for flow).
  • Learn More: Get the full details in the Interaction Bar Guide.

3. Building Your Personal Vocabulary: "My Words"

One of the most powerful features is your personal word list, accessible via "My Words" in the main menu.

  • Adding Words: Find a word using the dictionary search (often at the top of the screen or on your dashboard) and click the Bookmark icon (bookmark-plus-outline) to add it to your list.
  • Managing Your List: View, manage, and remove words directly from the "My Words" page.
  • Detailed Steps: See the Managing Your Word List Guide for full instructions.

4. Studying Your Words: Review, Flashcards & Tests

Once you have words in your "My Words" list (or when viewing any Word List), you can use dedicated study tools:

  • Word Review: Step through words sequentially, focusing on details like pronunciation, definition, and stroke order. See the Word Review Activity Guide.
  • Flashcards: Practice active recall in a low-stress environment. Flip cards, get hints, and mark if you knew the word. See the Flashcards Guide.
  • Tests: Assess your knowledge of the words in the list. (Link to a specific Test guide if available, otherwise omit or keep general).

5. Understanding Structure: Language Points / Grammar

Beyond individual words, understanding sentence structure is key. Use Language Points to clarify rules:

  • What are they? Focused explanations of specific grammar rules, structures, or word usage, complete with formulas and examples (including common errors).
  • How to Find: Locate them in the Browse section alongside other content types.
  • Learn More: Dive into the details with the Language Points Guide.

6. Saving Interesting Content: Favourites

Found an Article, Lesson, Language Point, or Word List you want to come back to easily? Mark it as a Favourite!

  • How: Click the Favourite button () found in the Item Browser Bar when viewing content.
  • Accessing: Find all your saved items under the "Favourites" section in the main menu.
  • Learn More: Check out the Favourites Guide.

7. Practice Handwriting: PDF Practice Sheets

Reinforce character knowledge with physical writing practice.

  • Generate Sheets: Go to the Practice Sheets section, add words (from your list or search), customize options (like headers), and create a PDF.
  • Use Digitally or Print: Perfect for tablets with styluses or traditional pen-and-paper study.
  • How-To: Follow the steps in the Practice Sheets Guide.

8. Tracking Your Journey: Progression & Analytics

See how far you've come and understand your study habits:

  • Progression Page: View your login streaks, weekly goals, earned badges, and overall HSK level progress. See the Progression Page Guide.
  • HSK Board: Focus specifically on vocabulary for each HSK level and track your "Learned" words. See the HSK Board Guide.
  • Analytics Page: Dive deeper into stats like study time heatmaps and word identification rates. See the Analytics Page Guide.

What's Next?

You're ready to dive in! Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Explore: Head to the Browse section and open an Article, Word List, or Language Point that looks interesting.
  2. Add Your First Word: Use the search bar to look up a word you want to learn and click the Bookmark icon.
  3. Try a Feature: Start a Flashcard session from your "My Words" list (once you add words) or generate a Practice Sheet.

If you need more detailed help on any feature, browse the guides linked throughout this document or use the search bar in the help site header.

Happy learning with Fluentspeak!