Where should i start?

[Anders Furset]

Nǐ Hǎo, wǒ jiào Anders!

Haha, did i get that right?

My name is Anders, im a 17 year old highschool student from Norway, and as one of the very few schools in Norway >5 my school offer Chinese as second language. I switched to the class i'm in at the moment for about 2,5 months ago so i haven't learned so much yet. I have gotten very interessted in learning chinese so i can catch up with the class and do something fun, i want to start study chinese at my freetime too.

Up to now, we have just learned everything with pinyin and we have recently started focusing on chareters and i think i can draw about ten now. My class i going very slow and we don't have a textbook either so i need some help from you guys.

1. Should i focus on just pinyin for now or should i start with charecters now?

2. Which textbook should i get?

3. I have recently innstaled Anki with the pinyin tool, it works great when i download decks and someone even have sound, but what i don't understand is how i can make my own decks with pinyin and sound.

4. When it comes to speach i haven't practised so much on that, but we have gotten a program called wenlin with pronucation so that helps a bit. I have understand that Chinese i built up by initials and finals, should i learn have to pronounce alle the different initials and finals in the 4 different tones?

Thanks guys, hope someone can help me.

[Shelley]

你好

I have been studying chinese for about 25 years for pleasure. I have done some classes at university and private classes but mainly self study. i am surprised you don't have a text book in your class. There must be one available in norwegian or is there not? If you are happy studying in english, one text book I have used is chinese in steps. It has cd's with it and is quite good. my favorite books though are Practical chinese reader. There is a new version out now: New practical chinese reader.

In answer to your question about characters and/or pinyin, I am a great believer in learning both together. As you progress the reasons why will become clearer. The characters help you remember the meanings and tones. Also it is like learning everything twice if you learn them later.

I think you should be familiar with all the intials and finals and the pronounciation of the tones, but concentrate on learning words as a whole thing. Learn the tone, pronounciation, pinyin and character for each word together.

I don't use Anki so maybe someone else will be able to help. i use Pleco (lots of info on this forum about Pleco) for flashcards and all the other wonderful things it does. If you have a smart phone or tablet you should definatly look into getting Pleco. Start with the basic package and then later as you know what you need to add, you can upgrade it. it is worth paying for the extras.

Also try Hanzi Grids for practising writing character which i recommend you do as this is the best way to learn characters.

Remember the golden rule when learning chinese practice, practice and then practice some more

Above all enjoy learning.

Good luck

Shelley