Rachel Weyland

Learning a new language is both challenging and rewarding, and Rachel’s journey with Mandarin Chinese offers valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their language skills. Her introduction to Mandarin began as a missionary, starting with nine weeks of training at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), followed by continued study during her service in Manchester, England.

Rachel's Mandarin skills advanced significantly during her time at BYU and through a study abroad experience in Taiwan. Spending three months immersed in Taiwanese culture provided her with daily opportunities to use the language. Another influential experience was living in BYU’s Language Immersion Student Residence (LISR), where students commit to speaking only their target language. Each apartment includes one native speaker who helps others use more accurate and natural expressions. Rachel credits her progress to these immersive environments and to the support of friends from Taiwan and China.

Rachel identifies several key factors that contributed to her success. Chief among them is motivation. She found that having a specific goal or event, such as preparing for her study abroad, the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), or an exam, helped her stay focused. She also emphasizes the importance of taking every opportunity to speak with native speakers and of finding content that keeps you interested—whether that’s TV dramas or academic articles. For Rachel, integrating language with culture was essential. She believes strong language learners don’t just substitute words but adopt grammar patterns, cultural customs (such as greetings), and references to history or literature to better understand and connect with people.

Rachel also tailored her approach to improving specific skills. For listening, she talked regularly with native speakers, watched dramas, and sought out videos relevant to her field of study. To improve reading, she read articles tied to her academic interests and added unfamiliar vocabulary to flashcards. For writing, she prepared for study abroad by using a flashcard app (Plecco) with HSK character sets and practiced writing them out by hand. She also explored using AI tools like ChatGPT to get grammar feedback. She found vocabulary acquisition most effective when focused on a specific topic—such as learning terms related to hobbies for the OPI or phrases useful for ordering food.

When it comes to OPI preparation, Rachel offers several practical tips. She recommends attending OPI prep workshops if they are available. Preparation should include selecting and studying two news articles and choosing topics you’re comfortable discussing. Importantly, test-takers should know they can request not to talk about sensitive topics. Rachel also suggests making a list of frequently discussed subjects in your life and learning how to express those ideas in your target language—using native speakers for feedback when possible. Practicing role-plays, ideally with a native speaker, can be especially useful as they help build confidence and fluency.

Rachel views mistakes as a natural and essential part of the learning process. She encourages learners to make mistakes in safe spaces—such as classrooms or with friendly native speakers. Her most helpful advice for managing OPI nerves was simple: remember to pause and breathe. This helps collect your thoughts and prevent the stress of forgetting words or phrases. She reassures learners that OPI testers want to see you succeed—they aren’t trying to trick you. Demonstrating the ability to “talk around” unfamiliar vocabulary (circumlocution) is a key skill. Practicing aloud, whether alone or with a native speaker, can help identify vocabulary gaps. When introducing yourself during the OPI, Rachel recommends only mentioning topics you’re ready to talk about comfortably.

Rachel’s experience highlights that successful language learning involves more than just memorizing vocabulary. It requires consistent effort, cultural curiosity, and strategic preparation—especially for formal assessments like the OPI.