Some Suggestions for Learning Chinese

Some Suggestions for Learning Chinese
Learning Chinese involves remembering many rules about grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. Although your textbook and teacher will organize this information in certain ways, you will still need to systematize the material for reference and review. Strict self-discipline is essential to mastering any language -- especially Chinese! However, ensure variety in your studies by 'ringing the changes' from time to time. Don't keep on with the same thing until you are bored with it. Here are some helpful suggestions for you:
Vocabulary
Write the vocabulary items on individual cards or slips of paper with their translation on the reverse side. See how many words you can remember from the English definition by turning them over one by one; then try it the other way round. (This game is more fun if played with two or more people!) Separate out the ones you find hard to recall and carry them around with you in your pocket, reviewing them while waiting for buses, standing in line to buy tickets, etc.
a. Learn the words in the context of the sentences in the dialogues of your textbook.
b. Say the words out loud as you study them.
c. Write down the words you find most difficult to memorize on a separate sheet of paper and give extra time to them.
d. Record the words and their definitions; then listen to the tape several times. Use the 'pause' button to test yourself.
e. Associate words with pictures.
f. Group them by generic categories, e.g. furniture, foods, etc.; or according to the situations in which they occur, e.g. under 'Post Office' you can put stamps, aerogram, printed matter, etc. Another way is by function, e.g. greetings, partings, thanking, conversation starters, etc..
g. Make sentences using the new vocabulary (and grammar patterns) ready for use in class.
Note: with Chinese words, it is as important to remember the tone as it is to remember how to pronounce it; if you can't remember the tone, you've forgotten the word!
Dialogue
Always try to obtain cassette recordings of the dialogues and new vocabulary of your textbooks. First listen to the cassette recording of the dialogue just to get a feel for the content of the lesson. Use the 'pause' and 'rewind' buttons on your tape recorder to give yourself time to absorb the content. Only when you have listened to it several times and have understood the meaning should you try reading along with the cassette. This will aid fluency and intonation. Listen to the cassette tape as many times as possible before class -- you can't listen to it too much!
Grammar
Some people perform better when first given a rule and then told to use it to make sentences. Others prefer to be given lots of input and deduce the rules for themselves. Find out which method works best for you. Keep a notebook in which to write down the major grammar patterns. Then use this for review, adding any new information you may acquire. Memorize the key sentences in the dialogues. If there is something in your textbook you don't understand, leave it for a while. A week or so later, you'll suddenly discover that you understand it now!