Job Discussion Forums

[Fortigurn]

What are your recommendations for learning conversational Mandarin reasonably promptly? I'd like to get a head start in the 5 months I have before I go to Taiwan.

I'm less interested in learning to read and write, more interested in something which can teach me vocabulary and grammar and how to put it together. Promptly.

Thanks.

[brian]

I don't know if I would waste my time and money if I were you. My experiences studying Chinese back home were less than impressive, but maybe I am just a slow learner.

You can live in Taipei quite comfortably without any Mandarin language abilities. Enroll in a university course when you get here, that has classes each day and tests each week and you will be surprised how quickly you pick it up. It isn't as difficult as I thought it would be!

[Taylor]

If you live anywhere near a university or college, there are likely to be some Chinese students.

You might could do a language-exchange with them. They teach you basic Mandarin and you help correct their essays.

If that is not possible, check at a larger bookstore. There should be some books and tapes/CDs that will cover the basics.

Make sure you know the tones! They are as essential in Chinese as vowel sounds are in English.

Good luck!

Taylor

[Aristotle]

[Fortigurn]

Thanks guys, that's good help.