Reading Mandarin (7)
Chinese characters may seem confusing and difficult, but anyone learning the Mandarin language can use Romanization as a stepping stone towards full literacy. Romanization is a system for transcribing the sounds of the Mandarin language using the Western (or Roman) alphabet. Once you have mastered Romanization, learning Chinese characters becomes much easier.

Pronunciation (6)
Pronunciation of Mandarin has two aspects: syllables and tones. Each can be practiced separately, but when it comes to speaking Mandarin you must memorize words with their proper tones. Sound clips are very helpful for practicing Mandarin pronunciation so be sure to make good used of the audio files found here.

Grammar (44)
Mandarin grammar can be challenging for anyone learning the language. In some ways it is simpler than the grammar of European languages because there are no subject / verb agreements to worry about. However, the word order of sentences is quite different from what most Westerners are used to. Regular practice will ingrain these sentence patterns and help you master Mandarin grammar.

Characters (16)
Chinese characters may look confusing, but they are organized and structured according to well-defined rules. Learning Chinese characters can enrich your understanding of the spoken language as well as opening the gateway to the rich treasure of Chinese literature. An understanding of Chinese characters will broaden your knowledge of Mandarin and Chinese culture.

Vocabulary (863)
Learning new vocabulary allows you to use Mandarin in different situations. Mandarin vocabulary has two parts – the sounds of the words and the proper tones. The correct use of tones is essential in Mandarin, as many words have the same sound but different tones. Mastery of Mandarin vocabulary is never complete until you know each word with its proper tone.

Writing Mandarin (7)
Being able to write Chinese characters adds a new level to your understanding of the Mandarin language. Computer input methods allow you to easily write Chinese characters, but unless you know the correct form of each character your writing may have a lot of mistakes. Learning how to hand-write Mandarin is an essential skill for anyone who is serious about the language.

Chinese Names (7)
Names are very important in Chinese culture. They can affect a person's self-esteem and influence the expectations of others. To choose an auspicious name for their baby, parents can consult a fortune teller who will consider the baby's Zodiac sign, family name, and parental expectations to choose characters which are harmonious with each other and offer the best chance for success in life.

Chinese Culture (45)
Explore the richness of Chinese culture as you learn the Mandarin language. The long history of Chinese culture has created enduring traditions that retain meaning and importance in the 21st century. An understanding of these traditions can serve as a guidepost when learning the Mandarin language.

Study Materials - Reviews (26)
Thanks to the popularity of Mandarin there are plenty of learning resources available. Mandarin students can use online tools for translating, converting traditional characters to simplified characters (and vice-versa), and adding phonetics such as Pinyin or Zhuyin. Traditional offline resources include text books and character dictionaries.

Tutorials & Tests (47)
Here you will find a collection of tutorials and tests that are designed to gradually improve your Mandarin Chinese Language skills. Pay special attention to your tones - the key to mastering Mandarin Chinese.