The Best Way to Learn Chinese: Board Game Nights in Hong Kong

Students enjoying a board game to naturally practice Mandarin and Cantonese speaking skills after Chinese classes in Hong Kong.

During the Easter break, four students invited me to join a special board game session. Our group included both Mandarin and Cantonese learners at various levels—three studying Cantonese (who can understand Mandarin) and one intermediate Mandarin student.

We challenged ourselves: Speak as much Mandarin and Cantonese as possible, switching to English only if necessary.

What happened was wonderful. Everyone was relaxed and enjoyed the playful atmosphere. Students naturally spoke Mandarin and Cantonese for three full hours!

After the game, their responses made me smile:

• "That's the most Mandarin I've ever spoken!"

• "I've never been this comfortable speaking Cantonese!"

  
  

Experiences like this remind me why conversational practice in natural, low-pressure environments—such as game nights—is truly the best way to learn Chinese.

As both a Mandarin and Cantonese tutor in Hong Kong, seeing students speak confidently and happily is always rewarding.

Would you like to join our next Chinese-speaking game night?

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Or view our Mandarin Classes & Cantonese Classes to find the right class for you.