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