
Relocating to Shanghai came with the towering expectation of mastering Mandarin, a language that seemed as intoxicating as the city’s perpetual motion. Steeped in tones and characters as diverse as the skyscrapers dotting its skyline, Mandarin Chinese presented an enthralling challenge. The journey began with traditional study methods—textbooks, flashcards, and the sheer grit that language acquisition demands. However, this initial










