I started learning Chinese last week.

When indicating 'tense' in Chinese, as shown above, there are 'particles', 'time-specifying words' and also many cases where it depends on context.

She is progressing in Chinese.

Their conversation being in Chinese, I did not understand one word.

Their conversation being in Chinese, I was not able to understand them at all.

He can speak Chinese a little.

He speaks Chinese very well.

He is fluent in Chinese.

He is no more able to read Chinese than I am.

He studies Chinese.

His knowledge of Chinese enabled us to carry out our plan smoothly.

His knowledge of Chinese enables us to carry out our plan smoothly.

She gains an advantage over me in speaking Chinese.

They are the only students who study Chinese.

I wish I'd kept up my Chinese. I need it for my job.

It is difficult to speak Chinese well.

May I be excused from Chinese?

Can you count to ten in Chinese?

Can you speak either Chinese or Russian?

I can speak Chinese, but I can't read it.