Mandarin

Hey /lang/
I'm planning on learning Mandarin Chinese, and I'm wondering what software/books/other resources you might recommend for me to aid me in my quest?

Thanks.

"Teach yourself" good book series.

Find a Chinese person to correct your pronunciation  and practice with.

http://www.friendsabroad.com/

good luuck

Class if it is at all possible. This is a must.
Textbook. (either NPCR or Integrated Chinese or whatever your class uses, but more textbooks are always a good thing)
Lots and lots of patience.
Livemocha.com
skritter.com (free for now, might cost $ later)

>>2
Friendsabroad isn't accepting registrations any more, I think...

They want all the users to transfer to a different website with half the features and only supports 3 languages. HWBT?

:(

>>4
That's why you use Livemocha. Make sure you have an MSN account though, it's the international IM service that's most popular in China. I had more Chinese friends than American friends after only like a week. And give Skritter a try. It seems gimmicky, but it's really helping my character retention.

Cool, thanks for the advice, btw that "Teach Yourself" book, do you mean this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0071430334/

?

小学生, are you looking for a general textbook? Or just something to help with characters? The two big university general textbooks are the NPCR (New Practical Chinese Reader) and Integrated Chinese. A great character book is Tuttle Learning Characters (start with volume 1, obviously)

学生，are you after a general textbook or something for character writing/meaning? The two big university-level textbooks are NPC (New Practical Chinese Reader) and integrated Chinese. Both have good points, I'm sure you can find reviews online. I know at least one of them comes with audio, not sure which/ if booth. If you are just after Characters, a great book is Tuttle Learning Chinese Characters (start with volume 1, obviously).

Shit, sorry. Double posted. I am thoroughly ashamed. Oh well, consider >8 the director's cut.

Cool man thanks, the advice is much appreciated, I've started on Livemocha, and I'm reading up on the books you mentioned. 

Thanks again.

Happy to help, in 8 when I said "NPC" I of course meant "NPCR".  If you want, throw me your livemocha account name and I'll add you, I'm only a beginner student but I could probably answer a few questions if you ever needed a hand. Or if you'd be creeped out by merging your real identity with 4chan, then I won't be insulted if you refuse my request! Either way, good luck with Chinese!

>>7
>>8
>>NPC/Integrated Chinese

Traditional, simplified or both?

>>12
Sorry, what's your question? Availability of the books, or which you should learn? Both are available in Simplified and Traditional editions.

if you wanna practice chinese maderin ,you can contact me ,shuiyifan@hotamil.com