I started learning English in 7th grade, when it became a required subject for teenagers in Taiwan. Back then, I believed that language learning should focus mainly on textbooks—memorizing vocabulary, KK phonetic symbols, and grammar rules, since those were the keys to passing exams.
My Learning Hit a Plateau
Most of my classmates felt the same. We focused on test-taking strategies, not on real-world use. Although I was genuinely interested in English, I struggled compared to those who were fluent or had strong word recognition. My learning environment was limited—just my schoolteacher and me studying at home with a textbook. As a result, my English plateaued. I wasn’t making real progress.
Everything shifted when I got my first mobile phone.
Then, I had my first mobile phone…
When I was about to set up my first mobile phone, one thought popped into my mind:
Why not set the phone’s language to English, just like native speakers do?
But then another voice followed: What if I can’t understand everything? What if I get stuck and need to switch it back? Wouldn’t that be annoying?
Still, I decided to go for it. I figured if I never tried, I’d never know. Maybe it wouldn’t be as hard as I imagined. So, I switched the language to English—and guess what? It really lifted my English to the next level.
At first, I didn’t recognize some terms or phrases, but over time, using English became natural. My phone turned into an immersive learning tool. Even if I didn’t know every word, I got used to the structure, menu items, and settings. It became second nature. I didn’t need to “study” these words—they simply became part of my daily vocabulary.
What I Learned from That One Bold Move
Switching my phone to English was a real challenge at first, but once I got used to it, I began using it intuitively—without hesitation.
Some people say you must ‘master’ characters before using them in real life—but that wasn’t the case for me, and I believe it doesn’t have to be for you either.
So, if you’re learning Mandarin, I’d like to encourage you to try the same method: switch your mobile phone’s language to 繁體中文 (fán tǐ zhōng wén | Traditional Chinese). I know it might feel intimidating at first. You might worry: What if I don’t recognize all the characters? What if I tap the wrong button? What if I get stuck?
I had all those same fears when I switched my phone to English. But here’s what I learned—you don’t need to understand every single word right away. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s exposure.
By seeing characters every time you open your phone, you’re training your brain to recognize shapes, meanings, and patterns in context. That’s something flashcards can’t give you. Little by little, these characters stop looking like random symbols and start becoming familiar friends. You’ll learn how to read settings, app names, menu items, and system notifications—vocabulary you won’t often find in a textbook, but use every day. It’s like turning your phone into a living, breathing language teacher that travels with you 24/7.
And the best part? You don’t have to study these words in the traditional sense. You simply get used to them by seeing and using them naturally. That’s how language learning sticks—not by force, but through daily, meaningful contact.
So go ahead—take the leap. Change your phone’s language to Traditional Chinese. You might feel lost for a day or two, but soon you’ll surprise yourself with how much you understand. Just like I did with English. This small change might be the biggest boost to your Mandarin journey yet.