| Are you learning Chinese? | | | | For those who plan to travel to China, learn useful |
| Chances are, you've already searched the internet | | | | Chinese phrases (note: no Chinese characters, only in |
| for information that'll help you learn Chinese. And | | | | pinyin, the Romanized script) for introducing yourself, |
| what do you find? Lots of sites offering free | | | | getting around, shopping, booking a hotel in China etc. |
| information on learning Chinese. | | | | in this interesting ten-part, online beginner's Mandarin |
| I did an online search recently and realized that with | | | | course in slideshow format with text, images and |
| all the information out there, it can be pretty | | | | audio followed by a one-minute video shot in China |
| confusing for a person who's just beginning to learn | | | | and cultural notes. Learn BBC Real Chinese at |
| Chinese to figure out what's useful and what's not. | | | | Learn Chinese Resource #5: |
| Where should you start? Which are the sites that | | | | **Chinese Forums |
| offer you, the beginning Chinese learner, practical | | | | Find like-minded, motivated Chinese learners to |
| advice and Chinese phrases you can use immediately? | | | | discuss topics related to learning Chinese and Chinese |
| I decided to put together a select list of useful, free | | | | culture. is an online community of people with an |
| online resources to jump start your learning of | | | | interest in learning Chinese language and culture. |
| Chinese and help you get better results in less time. | | | | When you're just starting to learn Chinese, keeping |
| :-) | | | | yourself motivated is vital for getting results. This is |
| Learn Chinese Resource #1: | | | | where you'll find other motivated Chinese learners of |
| **How to Learn Chinese with More Fun and in Less | | | | all skill levels to exchange tips and information |
| Time in Five Easy Steps | | | | whether it's about overcoming difficulties in learning |
| This step-by-step guide does two things: it gives you | | | | Chinese Mandarin or sharing your favorite Chinese |
| proven tips on how to approach the study of | | | | movie or travel destination in China. Visit |
| Chinese for better and faster results plus the 80% | | | | Learn Chinese Resource #6: |
| of listening, speaking, writing and reading basics you | | | | **CRI Radio |
| need to know when you're at the beginning stage of | | | | A great site to read and listen to radio broadcasts in |
| learning Chinese. Sign up for this 5-part mini-course at | | | | English and Chinese about China and life in China - |
| Learn Chinese Resource #2: | | | | China news, culture, sports, travel, entertainment etc. |
| **Chinese Pod | | | | CRI Radio can be found at |
| Free, daily Chinese conversational audio mp3 lessons | | | | Learn Chinese Resource #7: |
| (called podcasts) based on real situations (ordering | | | | **Chinese Fonts |
| food, renting an apartment, talking about yourself | | | | If you're not reading Chinese characters properly on |
| etc.) you can download, listen and review on the go | | | | your computer, like the chinese words for "learn |
| to start speaking Mandarin right away. Start with | | | | Chinese" 学中文 follow the link |
| their New User Guide. Visit Chinese Pod at | | | | to find out how to display and type Chinese fonts on |
| Learn Chinese Resource#3 | | | | your Windows or Mac computer: |
| **Five Beginner Steps to Learning Chinese Faster | | | | There you have it -- seven free online resources for |
| Real experiences of an American learning Chinese in | | | | learning Chinese faster. |
| China. This funny and useful "5 Beginner Steps to | | | | If there's any "secret" to learning Chinese faster and |
| Learning Chinese Faster" free email course doesn't | | | | with better results, it's this: learn a little, use a lot! |
| teach you Chinese but describes a beginner's | | | | Don't be afraid of making mistakes, or fret about |
| strategy for how to get out into a real | | | | getting the pronunciation right. |
| Chinese-speaking environment and learn it for | | | | Start by speaking Mandarin with Chinese friends |
| yourself. | | | | whenever you can. There'll be lots of slip-ups along |
| Sign up at | | | | the way, but you'll be pleasantly surprised at how |
| Learn Chinese Resource #4: | | | | much you can accomplish in a short time! |
| **BBC Real Chinese | | | | |