Greetings, marrett88!
I admire your desire and drive to learn a new language, especially one
of the more difficult ones. I may have to try some of these resources
myself!
Of course, nothing will give you a good background in a foreign
language like "immersion" in the classroom or one-on-one with a tutor.
You may want to consider one of those options as you progress toward
fluency. I am not sure that a CD or Web-based course will give you the
mastery that you are seeking; however, it can certainly provide you
with a good basic knowledge of the language upon which you can build.
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Berlitz is known for their language courses which give people a very
fast, basic conversational grasp of the desired language. Berlitz
"blitz" courses are typically used by people preparing to travel in
foreign countries, although they are also used to help prepare
employees before companies send them abroad.
My sister works for a large US/multinational corporation and has lived
in London and Singapore, and now lives in Hong Kong. While I don't
think Berlitz provides a course for the Queen's English (although
maybe they should! :) ), she has become reasonably fluent in French,
Mandarin, and Cantonese by starting with the Berlitz courses that her
company has provided her. Bear in mind that this is a woman who is
extremely good at math, business, and investments, but who pretty much
sucked in her attempts at foreign language in high school, and refused
to even attempt it in college. I think she feels that Berlitz worked
well for her; I can tell you that *I* was certainly impressed at the
foreign language skills she has developed through the Berlitz courses.
Berlitz's Cassette/CD/Book courses are here:
http://www.berlitzbooks.com/StaticContentPage.asp?PageNumber=0
This page says that several new CD packs will be "Available Spring
2003", including Chinese Mandarin.
According to Find A Local Book's website, the Berlitz Mandarin CD
course is already available for $18.95. If you choose to order this,
you will want to check with them to make sure you can get CDs. Bear in
mind that this would be only a basic beginning, and you would want to
follow a Berlitz course with a more in-depth and substantial training
course.
http://www.findalocalbook.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?store_code=A1&screen=PROD&product_code=2831562708
Berlitz also offers in-person instruction in some locations. Start
here to find out if Mandarin might be available near you:
http://www.berlitz.com/default.htm
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From Amazon.com's catalog:
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Easy Chinese Tutor I (Mandarin) (CD-ROM)
by Edward C. Chang
List Price: $34.95
"...ECTutor is intended to help the learner develop a solid background
in basic Chinese. Although it also teaches the learner to speak
Mandarin Chinese, its emphasis, however, is on the written language...
1. Shows both traditional and simplified characters in the same
course.
2. Emphasizes all four areas of language learning: reading, writing,
speaking, and listening.
3. Offers a variety of learning tools, exercises, and tests.
4. Shows several different ways to learn a Chinese character.
5. Uses diagrams and boxes to explain sentence structures.
6. Includes both pinyin and zhuyin in the Mandarin version.
7. Provides templates for printing hollow Chinese characters.
8. Provides numerous logical cues and examples to facilitate learning.
9. Is based on sound learning and instructional principles."
See this page for the full description and user reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966163613
Easy Chinese Tutor II (Mandarin) (CD-ROM)
by Edward C. Chang
List Price: $34.95
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0966163621
Amazon Reader Reviews for this Course:
"Good Low Priced Chinese Tutor" (December 23, 2002)
Reviewer: Shane Johnson from Denville, NJ United States
"One can easily spend hundreds of dollars on foreign language
instruction. For the money, this Chinese tutor offers the beginner an
good introduction to spoken and written Mandarin. The only downside is
that the software production is amateurish and a little
user-unfriendly. This tutor is great for someone who travels with a
laptop as they can learn while traveling. Obviously, if you are really
serious about learning Mandarin, I would take a college course or find
a good tutor. Good luck!"
"Works better than Chinese school" (August 25, 2002)
Reviewer: A reader from Reston, VA United States
"...The amount of depth in understanding of both the Chinese language
and its English translation in the software is remarkable. There are
many different exercises too keep you interested. It also provides
insight into how each word originated from ancient hieroglyphs, and
offer witty explanations to help you memorize..."
"Excellent learning resource" (February 26, 2002)
Reviewer: A reader from NJ USA
"I found Easy Chinese Tutor to be very helpful in learning Chinese
characters and gaining self-confidence. As I progressed through each
lesson, I learned more and more useful compound words that consisted
of previously learned characters. I was able to accurately gauge my
progress by taking the different types of quizzes available on the CD.
After completing the CD, I was surprised at the number of words that I
had learned to recognize. I think that learning to read Chinese from
this CD is easier and more interesting than reading from any book. The
interactive presentation and immediate feedback that this product
offers makes learning a more efficient process. You won't become an
instant expert, but Easy Chinese Tutor will provide a solid foundation
for your Chinese abilities and it will prepare you well for more
advanced study."
You can also "Buy Together Today: $69.90" by clicking the "Buy now"
button next to this package offer on the page for Easy Chinese Tutor
I.
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While the above course places more emphasis on reading and writing,
Pimsleur has a more extensive 3-part course that focuses on hearing
and speaking:
Pimsleur Chinese Mandarin I
by Pimsleur
(List Price: $345.00)
Price: $241.50
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671790617
Amazon Reader Reviews for this Course:
"The ONLY way to learn Mandarin" (January 2, 2003)
Reviewer: Tyler White from Mobile, Al United States
"I have been studying Mandarin for over a year now and I consider this
beginner's set as a real jump-start into the language. After using
these cd's you will impress many of your Chinese friends with how well
you speak their language. If you are considering learning Chinese,
this is an incredible investment."
"Best way to learn to hear and speak Mandarin" (November 9, 2002)
Reviewer: A reader from Kansas City USA
"I have not found a better way to learn to hear and speak a foreign
language than the Pimsleur series. I've used both Mandarin I and II,
and they have been a big help in enabling me to conduct everyday
conversations in China... The emphasis is all on listening to native
speakers and responding to them in short conversations. The method
forces you to learn how the language really sounds, and you get lots
of chances to practice getting the pronunciation right. It also has
the advantage that you can do the course while driving or exercising.
There is a very small reading book, but it's not essential."
Mandarin II (Pimsleur Language Programs) [UNABRIDGED]
by Pimsleur
(List Price: $345.00)
Price: $241.50
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743506618
Amazon Reader Reviews for this Course:
"Learning while u drive works..." (August 24, 2002)
Reviewer: A reader from Zionsville, IN USA
"Two months after getting PM II, I went to Beijing for a science
meeting (for ten days). I was in excellent shape. Nearly everyone
understood me: waiters, shop people (bargains galore), taxi drivers,
etc. I never quite had the time to master volume II like I did volume
I. But the best thing is the diction and sound that you CANNOT get
from a book alone. Pimsleur uses stock phrases to a point, and then
mixes them and creates new ideas. Sentences do become longer
(occasioanlly they are so long I can't remember them to translate -- I
am after all driving). It is not a trivial list of slogans. You
actually learn. They speak at a pace that forces you to become more
fluid and conversant -- but you can replay the units. Of course it
cannot mimic the spontaneity of real-life conversations, but it does
an excellent job nevertheless."
"Pimsleur is the easiest and great for the car" (May 27, 2002)
Reviewer: A reader from Downers Grove, IL USA
"I am have been struggling to learn Chinese for years. I took a year
in college, then I forgot most of it. The Pimsleur series is
conversationally-oriented and easy to listen to in the car. It has
given me the confidence to speak some Chinese, and helps you learn the
right tones. It was worth the substantial cash outlay."
Part III of this course will be available next month, and you can
pre-order now at a substantial discount:
Chinese (Mandarin) III [CD]
by Pimsluer, Pimsleur
(List Price: $345.00)
Price: $241.50
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743525469
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Now, I want to tell you about a couple of courses created by a couple
of instructors at California State University at Long Beach, which I
found through searching with Google. These courses have demo versions
which you can try before you buy:
Dr. Tim Xie of CSULB's Department of Asian and Asian American Studies
has a FREE basic Conversational Mandarin course posted online:
http://www.csulb.edu/~txie/ccol/content.htm
Dr. Xie also has a GREAT page of Mandarin Chinese Resources. This page
has links to all kinds of helpful sites for hearing and speaking
Mandarin, and reading and writing Pinyin. It also includes links to a
number of chat and Question & Answer sites where you can get
interaction with other people who are either fluent in Mandarin and
Pinyin, or who are studying them. You will want to explore each of the
links on this page.
http://www.csulb.edu/~txie/online.html
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"Liwin's CyberChinese - Order Information
Several years in the making, this multi-platform (both Mac and PC)
program is now available. Order online, or print out the form to order
by fax or mail. Purchase orders welcome.
Buy now for only $149
Special discount for students with a valid student ID only $89.
http://liwin.com/cyberchinese/order_info.html
You can download a demo of CyberChinese at:
http://liwin.com/cyberchinese/download.html
You can order this online:
"Liwin's CyberChinese/Pinyin Master Student Special ($89.00)
For a limited time qualifying students will receive both Liwin's
CyberChinese and Pinyin Master for this discounted price. Enjoy this
special offer and open the doors to a beautiful language rich in
history and culture."
http://liwin.com/order_paypal.html
"What is Pinyin?
Pinyin is the name of a romanized form of the Chinese written
language. The Pinyin writing system was created by the government of
the Peoples' Republic of China to aid in the study of Chinese. It is
the most common form of romanized Chinese used throughout the world.
Pinyin is essentially a phonetic Roman alphabet, used in dictionaries
and Chinese language textbooks. In addition, the mastery of the Pinyin
system makes Chinese word-processing much easier."
http://liwin.com/pinyinmaster
You can download a demo of Pinyin Master here:
https://www.ncws.com/jeffcan/cyberchinese/pym_demo_dwn_form.html
"If you have additional questions please email your request to
CyberChinese at Liwin, Inc. (cyberchinese@liwin.com), contact Dr.
San-pao Li (sanpaoli@csulb.edu), or Professor Jeff Winters
(jwinter2@csulb.edu)."
http://liwin.com/cyberchinese
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E.L.Easton's Chinese Language Resource page includes some free on-line
tutorials as well as Audio resources:
http://eleaston.com/chinese.html
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Ocrat.com
"Chinese-related web pages with a focus on Chinese language learning
for English speakers."
http://www.ocrat.com
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MyLanguageExchange.com may be an excellent way for you to receive
one-on-one tutoring from a native speaker of Mandarin, in exchange for
helping them improve their English:
"Learn to Speak Mandarin
Language Exchange via Email, Text Chat and Voice Chat:
Learn Mandarin online by practicing with a native speaker who is
learning your language. Write or speak Mandarin online to improve
grammar or conversation."
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/Learn/Mandarin.asp
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A Great way to get Answers to your Questions is to visit the
http://communicate.excite.com
(Scroll down to the section on the left-hand side which says:
"Welcome to Excite Super Chat!
Chat the day away and express yourself with
customized avatars, detailed profiles and
emotions. Keeping in touch has never been
more fun!
Click here to chat now <-- if you're already a member
New to Super Chat?
Click here to download now" <-- if you're not already a member
You will need to set Cookies to either "Prompt" or "Enable" to chat.
If you are not already an Excite chat member, you will need to click
the download link to set up the Chat software.
The Chat room you want to enter is "Chinese":
http://www.excite.com/communities/chat/voicechat/client/launch_vc?room=chinese
Search Strategy
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com search "learn Mandarin CD"
Berlitz Mandarin CD
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Berlitz+Mandarin+CD&btnG=Google+Search
learn Mandarin Chinese online
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=learn+Mandarin+Chinese+online&btnG=Google+Search
Before Rating my Answer, if you have any questions about this
information, please post a Request for Clarification, and I will be
glad to see what I can do for you.
I hope that this Answer provides you with exactly the information you
needed!
Regards,
aceresearcher |
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