Four weeks to build Mandarin foundations the right way: tones first, then characters through components, then tone-dense listening, then speaking with tones under pressure. Tone accuracy is treated as core grammar, not accent.
Drill mā/má/mǎ/mà contours with the Yoyo tone chart
30 min · A recording of each tone produced clearly
Pinyin chart
Work through the pinyin syllable chart with audio
20 min · Accurate reading of unfamiliar pinyin
Day 3
Tone-pair drills
Drill two-syllable tone combinations (2-4, 4-1, etc.)
30 min · A recording of tone pairs matched to a model
Sandhi rules
Learn third-tone sandhi and bù/yī tone shifts
20 min · Correct sandhi in spoken examples
Day 5
Tone listening
Identify tones in heard words; minimal-pair discrimination
25 min · A score on a tone-identification quiz
Pleco setup
Install Pleco and try handwriting and OCR lookup
15 min · A working dictionary with flashcards ready
Weekly cadence
Three structured days per week (Day 1, Day 3, Day 5) plus a daily 15-20 minute character SRS review and tone-pair drills.
FAQ
Who is the 4-week Mandarin foundations plan for?
It is for learners who need a concrete weekly cadence with timed blocks, visible outputs, and regular review.
Can I compress the plan?
Yes, but keep the same sequence: baseline, targeted practice, timed execution, and final review.
What makes the plan work better inside Study Spaces?
The room gives each block a timer, accountability, task context, and a recap point so the plan turns into action.
Use it now
Turn this page into a live sprint
Start the matching room for Mandarin, then use the sprint plan as the first task and recap script.
4-week Mandarin foundations plan
Focus target: Mandarin
Block 1 (25 min): closed-book recall or one timed practice set.
Break (5 min): mark confusing items without opening a new task.
Block 2 (25 min): correct misses and write the next first step.
Done: one score/error note plus one queued task for tomorrow.