Ins and outs of studying Chinese

I have been studying Chinese off and on for three years now.  To study a language like Chinese is quite a task.  The things you need to know are listed below.  This fall I have taken the HSK1 test, and still waiting to know the outcome.  I am now working on the HSK2 test.  The HSK1 test is very easy compared to HSK2.  The biggest problem with any of these tests they are completely in Chinese so its not a cake walk.

1.  Pinyin
2.  Tones
3.  Characters


Another good site to find a online tutor is italki  http://www.italki.com


Edited by Ernie - Dec 21 2011 at 9:28pm

Tell your last girl friend that. lol

I can not even take a small vacation away from it without loosen a big chunk of the language.

dave wrote: I wish you a lot of luck I know youve been studying this for awhile I dont think I could do it at all lol Youve talked with me im lucky to speak english lol

With Chinese the first thing you loose after a long vacation, and among other things.

1. Can not remember how to write the Characters.
2. Can not remember how to speak a simple sentence, because of an extended vacation
3. After vacation, listening skills are poor
4. Decide not to memorize how to write Characters because this takes the most time, and is easily forgotten.
5.  Not suggested:  Only memorize pinyin without learning the Characters.
6.  Be a baby, learn to speak without learning anything else.  Sorry, I am not a Bao Bao (baby)


Edited by Ernie - Dec 17 2011 at 1:33am

Studying Chinese has been expensive, I meet with a tutor every week or every other week.  Learning Chinese on your own can be done, but there is a good chance that no one will understand you.  Without proper pronunciation to the words, and tones you will be not understood.  I have been told my Chinese is not bad, but listening is something i need to work on more.


Edited by Ernie - Dec 17 2011 at 11:18pm

I an going to take this language to its fullest.  Something i did not do with when I was studying Armenian. I studied Armenian for almost 5 years, but could only speak simple sentences, and could weed through someone conversation, and maybe even get the gist of the conversation.