Rebecca Hallengren asked:


While learning any language it is very important for a person to be able to understand the basics of the language one desires to learn. This increases the ease and confidence of learning a new language. Thus when one learns a language as difficult as Mandarin Chinese, it becomes all the more important that it is done with the help of the right methods and tools.

While a person is willing to learn the language online there are various options that he may consider. Websites such as Loquella, which follow the Foreign Service Institute methods, are the best the place for learning a language. Mandarin Chinese is taught by making the students learning to read, speak, and write fluently. Thus it requires a lot of listening to the proper pronunciation as well as read the lessons simultaneously, which eventually enables the student to speak the language properly using the typical dialect.

While learning the Mandarin language the students are also taught the phonetics, vocabulary and grammar. For every language it is very important to learn the grammar correctly as it is the basis of learning a language. And it applies in the case of Mandarin language too. While learning online, the learner may download the Mandarin Chinese mp3 audio files and listen to them while reading the lessons. This helps him to learn the proper pronunciation as well as the phonetics.

At Loquella standard Mandarin Chinese is taught. Loquella has also introduced the ‘Pinyin characters’ into the lessons. The Chinese characters are put directly under the Pinyin text thus it becomes easy for the students to Learn Mandarin while they read through the material.

While learning Mandarin Chinese at Loquella, the learner has the option of learning the Pinyin in four different options. Thus learning becomes more enjoyable at Loquella. The various language drills makes the student repeat and practice the lessons thoroughly. Thus they can adapt the language perfectly and equip themselves with the confidence of speaking and understanding the Mandarin language appropriately.

The flexibility of learning the language makes Loquella popular among students, businessmen, executives as well as travelers. Learn Mandarin course has been designed to appeal to everybody’s purpose.

While practicing on Mandarin Chinese, Loquella puts extra emphasis on learning the pronunciation. The language drills, which are a part of the course, provides further emphasis on increasing the students vocabulary.

Mandarin Chinese can be learnt following proper instructions that are given on the website. One has to remember that the course alone cannot suffice hard work and dedication on the part of the student. Rigorous training and constant listening, reading and writing make the student confident enough to converse in the Chinese language fluently.. Loquella offers all of these features which make learning Mandarin Chinese a pleasurable and not arduous task.

Susan Lee asked:


Many people faced with the task of how to learn mandarin fly into a absolute panic. The symbols look so strange to none Chinese speakers, and the words sound nothing like the languages we may be accustomed to. But there are shortcuts to learning Chinese that will have even the most rookie student speaking this unique language in no time.

You can overcome the first issue – those strange-looking but beautiful symbols by separating speaking Chinese from the act of reading it. Admittedly Mandarin doesn’t use the Roman alphabet, or technically, any alphabet at all. Those symbols are called characters, and there are a lot of them. But fortunately, many English speakers learn to speak beginner Chinese without learning Chinese symbols, because Mandarin can be written in a Western alphabet called Pinyin. This greatly helps people like you not speaking Chinese with how to learn the Chinese language faster!

The second stumbling block – the sound of Mandarin words themselves can be explained by realizing that Mandarin is very dependent on pitch and tone. For example, the sound “ma” said in a high-pitched tone could mean “mother” in a different tone, it could mean “horse.” Thus, it’s very important that learners concerned with how to learn Chinese approach this mysterious language in a way that allows them to hear the words and phrases pronounced. Rocket Mandarin is a excellent language learning program for this reason; it will help you learn the Mandarin language in the quickest and most effective way and you could learn to speak basic Mandarin within 8-weeks.

When deciding how to learn Chinese, you must know which type of Chinese you need to study. There are quite a few variations of Chinese; whether these are dialects of a single language, or related but separate languages like Thai and Korean, for instance, is difficult to say. Two of the most commonly used variants of Chinese are Mandarin (the standard language of both the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan), and Cantonese (more commonly spoken in Hong Kong). But each language variant is totally unique from the others, and a Cantonese speaker cannot be understood by a someone who speaks only Mandarin.  

In addition to practicing with a good audio-based program such as Rocket Chinese, it helps a lot to befriend a native speaker to chat with. This is true when learning any new language, but it’s a very important factor in how to learn Chinese. Have you ever heard someone say an unfamiliar name on the phone, and failed to understand what they were trying to say to you? This is because you can’t see the movements of their mouth as they say the words. With so many Chinese words dependent upon tone and the slightest variation of pronunciation, it helps so much to have a native Chinese speaker to watch as well as hear.

You say you don’t know any native Chinese speakers? I’ll bet you do! Is there a Chinese restaurant nearby? If its proprietors speak the variant of Chinese you want to study, make them your new best friends, because they’ll definitely will help you on how to learn Chinese! Is there a Chinese community in your area? In all likelihood, there will be Chinese people there. Look on the Internet for forums and meet-ups featuring Chinese language and culture. And as a last plan, you can learn a great deal from viewing Chinese movies.

Practice at least 30 minutes a day! You’ll never sound like a native Chinese speaker, but before you know it, you’ll be able to speak conversational Chinese with ease. And your friends will never know that only a few weeks ago, you had no idea how to converse Chinese!  Finally pay a visit to www.ecpod.com and you can make a lot of Chinese friends to test your Mandarin.

 

Shun Minh asked:


The Chinese language is a complicated communication system that has numerous written characters as well as a number of different dialects. If you are interested in learning how to speak Mandarin, you will first need to understand the basics of this Chinese dialect.

Mandarin was originally defines as a group of dialects that was spoken by the people of Beijing as well as the area of northern China. The term is now used to describe the standard Chinese language, in which case it is the type that is spoken by the largest amount of Chinese people. This language is spoken in the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and is one of four official languages that are spoken in Singapore. This factor means that your knowledge of this language will allow for easier communication with the greatest number of Chinese-speaking countries, making your decision to learn to speak Mandarin a good one.

The mandarin language utilizes the Pinyin alphabet, which is Latin based and uses four different tones. There are many Web sites that allow you to hear these tones as you learn to speak Mandarin. The following are a few basic phrases that you can learn to help you to become acquainted with the Mandarin pronunciation.

1. Ni Hao – Pronounced like “Nee How.” Translates into “You Good” and

can be used as a greeting.

2. Xie Xie – Pronounced like “Shi-e Shi-e” or “Zhi-Zhi.” It means “Thank

you” in Mandarin.

3. Bu Ke Qi – Pronounced like “Boo Ker Chi” with the “r” in “Ker” being

pronounced with a British accent. It means “You’re Welcome.”

4. Tai Hao Le – Pronounced like “Thai Hao Lah.” It means “Wonderful.”

5. Na Li Na Li – Pronounced “Nah Lee Nah Lee.” This phrase is the proper

Chinese response when someone compliments you or your spouse.

You should not use the term “Xie Xie” as this is not the way the

Chinese respond to compliments.

6. Wo Jiao – Pronounced “Wah Jee Ow.” It means “My Name is…” and

you should fill in your name.

7. Wu de ming je shi – Pronounced “Wuu Duh Meeng Jee Shi”. It also

means “My name is…”

8. Da Jia Hao – Pronounced as “Dah Jee Ah How.” Loosely translated, it

means “Hello, everyone,” Good day, everyone,” or “wish everyone

well.” This is a good opening if you are planning on making a speech

to a Mandarin-speaking audience.

9. Zao Shang – Pronounced like “Zow Shahng.” It means “Good Morning.”

10. Xia Shang – Pronounced like “Shee ah Shahng.” It means “Good Afternoon.”

11. Wan Shang – Pronounced like “Wahn Shahng.” It means “Good Evening.”

12. Zai Jian – Pronounced like “Zigh Jee In.” It means “Goodbye.”

13. Wo Hui Yi Dianr Zhong Wen – Pronounced like “Waw Hway Ee Dee In A Zah Hoong Wun” It Means: “I speak a little Chinese.”

These are just a few basic conversational phrases that you can use when you learn to speak Mandarin. There are a few helpful tips that you may want to keep in mind when using these phrases. You should always repeat them as this is the way the Chinese conduct themselves during a conversation. You should smile as this is part of the Chinese etiquette system and avoid shrugging, as this has no meaning in the Chinese culture.

When you want to learn to speak Mandarin, you must also be sure to have the proper tone in your speech as well as maintaining Chinese etiquette, so that you can be clearly understood while giving no offense.

Sharon Lepcha asked:


People around the world have fallen in love with Chinese language as more and more people are actively learning Chinese these days. The good news is that various language schools around the world is offering Chinese learning courses but people often like to visit China to learn Chinese being in the midst of Chinese culture to better understand their way of life.

In fact, there are hundreds of Chinese dialects used by the people but the preference will be given to Chinese Mandarin language. IT is also the main language in mainland China as 50 % of the population speaks this language. It is the reason that Chinese Mandarin has been recognized as the official language of China.

There are various reasons why people are running after Chinese language. Despite the craze of learning foreign language to become a linguistic expert, people are after it with a hope of better career prospects.

To address the need of the dialect hungry people, there is a huge competition in major cities of China in establishing and running a Chinese Mandarin leaning center. Many of these centers provide comfortable accommodation according to your need, qualified professionals to teach Chinese, and organize teaching events.

Among these centers, China Study Abroad (CSA) is one of the highly reliable centers that provide excellent Chinese Mandarin learning experiences in China. This center has highly Knowledgeable staffs to guide you during your learning process, have excellent housing and insurance facility, provide guided tours around Beijing and China, and organizes regular events to help you meet native speakers to explore the Chinese culture. Candidates are also offered internship and allowed to volunteer. They get a chance to teach the language in one of nine diverse and dynamic cities located throughout China.

Another reason for people’s preference on CSA over other centers is their lowest price for the program. The cost assigned for the program by China Study Abroad is highly affordable in comparisons to other centers. CSA has offered highly competent Chinese Mandarin learning facility inclusive of all other basic necessity pertaining to learning Chinese language at highly affordable cost.

Hence, if you are looking for a reliable center to offer comfortable stay and quality learning facility in China, end your search here. China Study Abroad is the right center for you to approach as they provide excellent learning process throughout the seasons at budget fitting price.

Kassey Wang asked:


Language experts agree that the fastest way to learn Chinese is through private one-on-one lessons with a certified teacher. Through private lessons, a student can learn enough Chinese to be able to travel in China in about 10 hours or one week of average instruction time. In as little at three months, a willing student can learn to speak Mandarin Chinese fluently.

At Mando Mandarin (www.mandomandarin.com), students receive a customized course that accommodates their unique learning potential. It doesn’t matter if you know some Chinese or none at all. Instructors will create a personalized course so you can learn Chinese at your own pace.

The secret to Mando Mandarin’s success is that they have recruited and trained the best teachers from China so students learn Chinese from the experts. Classes are taught using free Voice Over Internet (VoIP) video-chatting software (Skype.com) so students can interact directly with instructors in real time.

It’s easy to learn Chinese using the Mando Mandarin system. Classes are held at your convenience. When you have time, simply log into the website and an instructor will be ready to help you. They will guide you through each lesson and won’t move on to the next one until you’re ready. You don’t have to feel rushed or move at a pace that makes you feel uncomfortable. This is one of the biggest advantages over traditional classroom education. Since you’re the only on in the class, you decide how fast you learn Chinese.

Mando Mandarin’s instructors are some of the best and brightest in the business. The company uses teachers who are bilingual (English and Mandarin) from Beijing, the capital of China, and Shanghai, the major center of trade and business. Each teacher has a degree in Education or a related field with additional certification in teaching Chinese as a foreign language.

By carefully screening instructors and providing rigorous training, Mando Mandarin is able to offer students the best method to learn Chinese from the very best instructors. As such, you’ll quickly find yourself looking forward to your next lesson with your instructor. You’ll find one-on-one lessons to be an easy way to learn Chinese and you’ll quickly pick up on the pronunciations and grammar rules because you can learn directly from your instructor in real time.

This is one of the biggest advantages over any other language system. While CD and DVD courses let you learn the language, it can be difficult to correctly learn Chinese because you don’t get any feedback about your own use of the language. Lessons are entirely one sided.

With Mando Mandarin, you get to work directly with an instructor who can help you learn Chinese quickly and correctly. They can listen to your pronunciation and help you master the necessary skills in no time. It’s like having a private instructor coming to your home to teach you.

Mando Mandarin’s system for learning the language is so effective you can have the basics nailed down in just 10-hour’s time. Plus, the company offers an introductory lesson for free so you can see how easy it is to learn Chinese before signing up for more classes.

Mandarin Hour asked:


Parents in America are increasingly supporting the choice for their children to learn Chinese. They are aware of the rise in China’s economic development, and understand that their child will have the best opportunity to conduct business when they are older, after they graduate, by being able to speak Mandarin and learn to write Chinese.

In the study of Mandarin Chinese, students attain much more than just focus on words, grammar and character writing – they also gain more of a global attitude. It has been assessed that children in their elementary years who learn the Chinese language have expanded their intercultural views. There has also been a direct correlation in China’s growing role in global affairs and the availability of Chinese language studies offered in schools.

While it’s important to note the growing number of Chinese companies hitting the headlines, it is China’s relevancy in various global affairs that allows for Westerners to understand the impact China is having on the world. Beijing not only successfully hosted the 2008 Olympics but has also saturated the press with their constant medal wins. Both these points are critical for the internal image of China as well as how the world views the nation.

There used to be a time when learning another language was good for only certain careers. Today, parents realize that familiarity of other cultures, including learning a second language, is important regardless of the career due to the globalization of the economy. In a globalized workplace, there are multi-national employees that come together to bring an expanded vision of ideas for the marketplace. Parents are realizing that their children will be working in a team made up of ethnically diverse people and will need to expand their knowledge of world cultures in order to stand the competition.

Timothy Green asked:


By using English phonics, you can eliminate many of the complications of learning to speak Mandarin. Native English speakers no longer need to trudge through the old fashioned and ineffective Wade-Giles method, or struggle with the current, but just as difficult Pinyin Chinese to speak Mandarin. There’s an easier way! Words and phrases can be sounded out exactly the same way we learned to read and speak English in grade school.

The Romanization of Chinese Characters

Mandarin Pinyin is called Putonghua, or The Common Language, and is widely used throughout China. Its four tones, level, rising, falling, and high rising, distinguish many words and syllables with the same consonants and vowels but with different meanings. It deciphers the Chinese characters and symbols into a Romanized alphabet, eliminating the abstract strokes completely unrecognizable to foreigners.

Prior to the use of Pinyin, westerners depended upon the Wade-Giles Romanization system that was initially invented to simplify Chinese characters into their English counterparts. British scholar Sir Thomas Francis Wade created the method, and it was later modified by Herbert Allen Giles in 1912, and it became the preferred transliteration method among scholars. But what it truly gave the western world was a systematic and consistent method of butchering the Chinese language through mispronunciations for more than a half century. Why did it fail so miserably? Learners of Mandarin relied upon the pronunciation guide, but were seldom educated properly on how the system worked. Inevitably, most words were grossly mispronounced.

Other attempts were made to integrate a Latin alphabet for the Mandarin language during the 1920’s and 30’s, but most were unsuccessful. Finally, in 1985, the Pinyin Romanization system officially replaced the Wade-Giles method. The Chinese government’s commitment to promote a standardized Latin alphabet for westerner and the country’s minorities promoted the adoption of Pinyin Putonghua, and it is used extensively throughout the country.

Unfortunately, native English speakers who study Mandarin quickly discover that many of the vowels and consonants used in Pinyin are pronounced differently than their English counterparts. This means that English speakers, who have been trained since primary school to sound out words phonetically, first need to learn Pinyin in order to speak correctly and clearly in Chinese.

A Better Way

The good news is that there is an easier and faster way of learning Mandarin. Native English speakers can by-pass Pinyin and immediately concentrate on reading and speaking Chinese by using the familiar English phonics system. For example, the Chinese word for ‘next’, when written in Pinyin is: xi ay i ge. Using English phonetics, you would say: shee-ah ee guh. Congratulations! You have just pronounced the word correctly! So as you can see, if you are searching for a simple way to speak Chinese effectively, the English phonetic system makes the learning process an easily attainable goal.

John Abraham asked:


Learning Mandarin can be a enjoyable and can be a very beneficial skill. Learning Chinese language is utmost imortant in this modern world. The Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.

If you study chinese language, you will have a lot of options to get the employment in several fields like manufacturing, teachingand travel industry. As there are a lot of chinese communities in the westren countries, the employers are giving extra priority to chinese people . With Asian economies growing considerably, learning Chinese significantly improves your chances of victory in job markets dealing with these economies. More over, learning chinese is more fun too.

Even if your just a casual traveler, learning it can also be beneficial since a good number of the sign boards and instructions in China are purely written in Chinese, though the appearance of English signs is increasing. It will positively help while speaking with taxi drivers and order foods  .

Studying Chinese is one step to joining the ranks of the businesses elite oriented toward the growing China market. Chinese is one of the eminent languages of the world. Learning Chinese is, as it is all over the western world, part of a world-class education

We will have numerous professional ways to learn chinese language wherein it takes more investment and time. So its important to vary your income to insure that you boost your language learning experience. English speaking people discover more difficulty in learning chinese language.

Choosing the right tactic is of course vital and that can make learning the language a relative cake walk or much more tough. Take supreme care about pronunciation and accent  while learning chinese language

Studying Chinese doesn’t require costly personal tutors. Better you take the precautions of not paying extra  money for the tutors. Learning Chinese will take more time and it is an evolving process. While you can’t learn the language overnight, you can find resources that may give you an edge time wise and easily the amount of effort you exert  .

A crucial challenge to bear in mind is that of vocabulary. Pimsleur method is the greatest one among all other methods to learn Chinese very hurriedly . The most valuable ones were those who made sure to present new vocabulary first. If you take the Mandarin Chinese, The script will paly key role in learning the language. Then a story using this new vocabulary in conjunction with previously learned vocabulary was presented. In terms of audio only programs, a mixture of excellent courses are available.