this is a dam hard language to learn, i know about 500 basic words so far (no symbols - only pinyin).. how can i be more focused and 'take more in' ?

Free Language Lessons

http://www.elanguageschool.net/

http://www.europa-pages.co.uk/

http://www.talklanguages.net/languages.htm

http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/language/index.pl

How to Do A Language Exchange

You should practice using the Cormier method, a language exchange method that has been proven for over 3 years at the C.E.L.M. school in Montreal, Canada.

http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/

you talk to me to improve you languague..add my msn

tanjiajun3@hotmail.com

It's much worse for me. I forgot most of what I learned in Mandarin, mainly perhaps because I found it too hard and that I had nobody to practice it with. It did help me when I had some physical fight with a boy who had Chinese roots.

If you're not really interested in it, then you won't really learn much. I was very interested in it while I was learning it, and that is why I learned a lot in just more than 4 weeks.

Try using a recorder to remember the tones. There are 4 tones in this confusing language, and saying the same "syllable" in a different "tone" can mean something else. Try also casually trying to read or learn more about it in a relaxed state of mind. Before learning or attending a class about this, try not to think of too much things or don't pressure yourself to learn so quickly. It depends on the capacity of every single person, and if you can't do too much, don't puch yourself too far.