I am trying to learn Putonghua in my spare time, and unfortunately I don’t have time to take classes. I want to ask how many of you have also learned (or tried to learn) the language without taking classes? What techniques have you used and what have you found most helpful?

I am currently living in Beijing, and I would optimistically rate my speaking level as low-low-intermediate or upper-beginner. Still, my ability is poor enough that I often find myself falling back on asking, “ni hui shuo yingwen ma?”

I want to kick my language learning to the next level (but still, without classes), so I’m basically asking for advice from those of you who have gone this route.

Thanks!