I Used Maayot To Study Chinese, This Is Why You Should Too

Why I Think Maayot Is A GREAT Tool For Learning Chinese

I’ve recently gotten back into using apps to learn Chinese.

Upon researching I wanted to try something new. Not the standard apps I’ve rinsed and repeated.

I stumbled across Maayot and was instantly intrigued.

Maayot sets itself apart by focusing on natural language acquisition, integrating cultural insights and idiomatic expressions to deepen users’ understanding of Mandarin beyond rote memorization.

The app offers daily reading exercises, deep diving into the world of Chinese characters, and daily quizzes to test your skills.

So far, I’ve really enjoyed using Maayot.

Let me share more…

Maayot’s Main Features

Things I Like

Things That Could Be Improved

Price?

FAQs

Maayot’s Main Features

Maayot isn’t all that different to another favourite app of mine, Du Chinese.

The emphasis of the app is on improving your reading skills and character recognition. Two rather important things when coming to learn Chinese in China.

Maayot provides users with daily stories to help not only improve their reading but to also enhance their cultural knowledge.

There are also other features such as a one-tap dictionary, quizzes and results tracking so you can see how well you are progressing.

Things I Like

Here is a quick summary of the things I liked about Maayot.

Suitable for all levels

Frustratingly there are many apps out there that favour just beginners, or just advanced students.

Not with Maayot.

In fact, the first question you are faced with is:

Whether you are a beginner of seasoned pro, you can make good use of Maayot.

Daily stories

The stories are great and allow for consistency when learning a language.

And if there is one thing I know about language learning, it’s consistency is key.

These stories are designed to introduce users to conversational Mandarin and cultural nuances through engaging, real-world contexts.

Reading and listening to these stories helps learners understand how Mandarin is naturally used in various scenarios.

Great quizzes

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Maayot quizzes.

They reinforce vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation while remaining engaging.

Again, it all comes back to consistency.

Easy-to-use dictionary

Speak to any foreigner in China and they’ll tell you Pleco is probably the most vital app to your arsenal, aside from WeChat perhaps.

Pleco is a Chinese dictionary that has saved me many times in public situations.

Well, Maayot also boasts its own one-tap dictionary.

Simply tap on any unfamiliar word within a lesson or story, and a pop-up dictionary provides an instant translation, pronunciation guide, and additional context.

This smart addition allows users to learn in context without interrupting the flow of reading or listening, helping them quickly grasp meaning and usage.

Pleco Review (MUST DOWNLOAD) // The Ultimate Guide 2024

Pleco Review | Pleco is so much more than just an app. It’s a lifesaver. Any foreigner who has spent the shortest stint in China will vouch for that.

Cultural insights

Learning a language is about so much more than learning new words, phrases, or sentences.

It’s about getting to know the country you are in, the people around you, the food… all the good stuff.

Maayot smartly pivots away from the temptation to just teach.

It also incorporates cultural insights that help learners appreciate the context behind words and expressions

Things That Could Be Improved

No one is perfect, so here is a list of things I personally think Maayot can improve on:

Deeper dive into grammar

I believe a more robust grammar guide would be beneficial for users who prefer structured explanations.

Currently, the app lacks anything related to grammar points.

Further interactivity with stories

The daily stories are decent, but more could be done.

Making them more interactive would add to the learning experience. Features like fill-in-the-blanks, choice-based responses, or story-driven quizzes could help reinforce comprehension and make the stories even more engaging.

Offline access

Let’s say you have a long-haul flight to China coming up and you want to brush up on your Mandarin.

Can you use Maayot from 38,000 feet? Not the full functionality.

Maayot primarily functions online, which can be limiting for users who want to practice on the go without a data connection.

Personalised learning paths

Adding more detailed progress tracking with visual indicators of vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension would help users see their improvement over time.

As people we love to see graphs and numbers of their progress.

This could boost motivation and give learners a clearer sense of what areas to focus on.

Price

Great news. Maayot is FREE for everyone.

However, if you want to get the best out of Maayot they have a paid upgrade also.

You can sign up to Maayot by the month or by the year.

The standard plan is 10 USD a month. The pro version is a slightly pricier 37.50 USD a month.

All things considered, Maayot is a very smart app to learn Chinese.

There is no doubt there are some great features and by upgrading to the paid version you truly unlock Maayot’s potential.

Maayot FAQs

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