subject: Learn Chinese Language With A Wise Start [print this page] Did you know that Chinese contains more than 2,000 times more characters than the English language? As one of the world's oldest languages Chinese could be a difficult task to learn but not at all overwhelming if you start out smart
This dynamic language consists of 50,000 characters (not all in use), pin yin (a system of writing developed to teach foreigners Chinese), and quite a few exceptions to grammar rules that all languages have.
How can you learn Chinese in less time and with a bit of savvy?
1. Get a do-it -yourself study course: a home program that is preferably portable in an audio format such as mp3. Getting a study course that you own will permit you to study Chinese whenever and wherever you want at any time.
2. Free Options: There are a large number of free resources on the Internet to practice the Chinese that you are learning. Notice I did not mention learn. Though resources such as online Chinese forums, chat groups, pen pals and more are wonderful ways to practice they are not at all a substitute for learning Chinese from a course simply because you will invest hours and days putting together the breadcrumbs.
3. Use tools: dictionaries, popular magazines, flashcards and much more can be found online and offline to learn Chinese.
4. Practice Tips: Found a hot tip to learn Chinese? use that tip! For example a great tip is to learn to stretch out your voice by singing a few notes so that you will be better able to vocalize the demanding "four tones."
The advantage is yours if you can find a native speaker on the Internet using skype or in your home city at a local Chinese restaurant to practice learning Chinese. Native speakers are a pot of gold waiting for you and they will teach you words that are often not found in a book or course as well as teach you the subtle innuendos of proper pronunciation that are critical to learning Chinese. Not sure how to pronounce a word? Ask them for help!!
Learning Chinese is a big accomplishment really and quite impressive too. Just learning Chinese means that you can speak to a billion more people than before, Travel to China and be aware of so much more about a country that is quickly becoming more and more important on the world stage.
Now you can learn Chinese fast and savvy. Practice learning two or more phrases a day and you will know in a year more than 700 words and half way there to knowing the 2,000 plus characters to read a newspaper. Have fun!
