Newbie FAQ?

[Wrenny]

Right now I would like to attempt to learn chinese-mandarin no matter how long it takes. I've been reading random web sites and each seems to give different views where to start. Some are against class room settings, some are for them.

In the end I believe it's a mixture of everything. Anyways.

Do you guys have any order of material you think one should start with to learn how to speak Chinese?

Primleur as the beginning of all or is there something before that to read before getting into that?

Do you need a Pinyin-english dictionary just a support tool?

Some referred the Michel Thomas method before moving onto other stuff so everything makes sense.

http://www.amazon.com/Mandarin-Chinese-Started-Starter-Program/dp/0071547177

Any ideas to point me in the right starting direction would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to find local schools but my two close colleges only teach it to full time students.

[yersi]

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[Wrenny]

Thanks Yersi. I found a college that teaches it here and I can attend it as a non-audit course where I don't get graded since I'm not in the school but definately will take it!

[renzhe]

A search of the forum will really help you, this comes up all the time, and there is good advice.

In short, you need a good textbook (with CDs, DVDs and everything else that comes along), someone to help you with pronunciation and conversation (preferably a teacher, but a native speaker friend is also good), a flashcard program with spaced repetition, and some time every day for review and studying.

As you progress, get some comic books and TV shows. For textbook, I recommend New Practical Chinese Reader, but Integrated Chinese should also be good.

My opinion of Pimsleur is that it's next to useless for serious language learning, but it can help you develop an ear for the language and repeating the sentences might help you develop your pronunciation. A native speaker is always the first option, though.

[Lethe]

and dont forget to use the internet and join some chinese forums and communities.you can chat freely because you are anonymous, and i believe to have friends to practise on is the best way to improve.