As a tonal language, Mandarin depends on the pitch of notes to determine the meanings of syllables and words. But sometimes the tones of syllables can change.

Fortunately, there are relatively few rules for tone changes, and since the changes are done to aid in the fluency of the spoken language, they come almost instinctively.

There's a new app from Microsoft for anyone learning to recognize Mandarin tones.

The app, available at no charge for Windows Phone 7, trains you to identify the sounds of Mandarin Chinese in an enjoyable game format.

The game trains your ear by having you identify tones and syllables, which get more complex as the game progresses.

The app is available from windowsphone.com

The best way to learn any language is to immerse yourself in the culture, speaking and listening to the language 24/7. That's the idea behind Chinese 24/7 - a textbook and guide for those living in Mainland China.

The book offers practical advice for learning Mandarin Chinese in China, and as such, may not be the best choice for stateside learners. As a supplementary text, however, it has lots of practical language tips that can round out the library of anyone studying Mandarin Chinese.

Read my full review...

It makes sense that the natural way to learn Mandarin Chinese (or any other language) is by conversing with a native speaker. Simple conversations that provide the foundation for pronunciation, listening, and grammar skills.

This approach may bypass some of the finer points of grammar, but can be effective for gaining a working knowledge of the target language.

At least that's the idea behind Mandarin Chinese - Learning Through Conversation. Does it work? Read my review and find out.