As a foreign learner of Chinese, you can always buy a book or pick up a CD on the Chinese language to learn Chinese on your own. However, self study for languages can be difficult. Things will be different if you choose to learn Chinese in your home country or other places, and the following tips will help you to find the most proper way to learn Chinese.
Learn Chinese in your home country
In your home country, you can try to find a language school or seek out the language departments of your school or university to see if they offer a course for Chinese language. Learning a new language tends to be difficult and it is important that you try picking up a new language as young in your life as possible.
However, it can be difficult learning a language in a classroom without immersing in the culture or mingling with the native people. Many people who are serious about the language will seek to learn the language in the host country.
One of the ways to learn Chinese without being in China is to learn the language in a country like Taiwan or Singapore. These are Chinese speaking societies which will also have good Chinese learning environment. However, do note that Taiwan practices a form of written Chinese known as Fan Ti (Complex Chinese) which can be quite totally different from China's Jian Ti (Simplified Chinese). Although the written form is different, the spoken form is the same.
Although Singapore uses the Simplified written format which is the same as China, the country may also not be ideal for total language immersion to learn Chinese as it tends to be an English speaking country.
Your best approach towards learning Chinese lies in learning within China itself if you want to pick up the Chinese language quickly and efficiently.
Learning Chinese in China
There are many Chinese language schools teaching Chinese in China. Many of these schools are even run and operated by non-Chinese. Many local Chinese schools and universities also offer language courses.
To learn a language well, you will probably need to spend 6 months to a year of intensive study. Ask the mandarin school for an invitation letter so that you can approach the Chinese embassy in your own country for a long term visa. A normal social visit visa will not allow you that much time in China.
The best way to learn a language is to speak, write and use the language very regularly. Hence, make as many local friends as you can in China. Also, remember to practice your language with the bus driver, laundry women, canteen helper, grocery shop or anyone that you meet on a daily basis. The Chinese may laugh initially at your funny pronunciation but once they are aware that you are serious about learning Chinese, they will be more than willing to help.
Plan a trip to China
Apply for a visa to China
Book flights
Rent a house in China
Enroll a Chinese language school
Enroll a Chinese calligraphy class
Find a Chinese kungfu school
