Most English speakers would agree it's not possible to learn a language as difficult as Chinese or even Japanese for that matter. And in most cases I would agree with them. However with the advancements made in technology in the last couple of years, there's no excuse why we as Westerners can find it difficult to learn any new language faster than a couple of years ago. In my opinion it is faster to learn to speak in Chinese than learning to read and write in Chinese as well. Most people make the mistake trying to accomplish all three aspects at once and don't understand three months down the line why they have lost interest in learning Chinese. Start your learning process by focusing on learning conversational Chinese and the rest will fall in place.

You see, reading Chinese is one thing and we won't even tackle that in this article. Speaking Chinese is another thing altogether. The consonants used in Chinese are quite simple. The tonal quality in which Chinese are pronounced is the reason why Chinese sound so "Chinese" to an English speaker. When we say the word "horse" it doesn't matter whether we say it in a rising or falling tone it's still a horse. In Chinese, though, that's not the case, and in fact, if you say many Chinese words in the wrong tone, they mean something else altogether! To learn Chinese fast, you need to become very sensitive to the varying tones used in the language.

And for that, you need an audio-based course one that not only teaches you the words but allows you to hear the pitch and tone in which they're spoken. Either take a conversational class in person, or choose an online or DVD-based course in which the emphasis is placed on speaking rather than reading, and the instructors are native Chinese speakers themselves. This method will give you a solid foundation in the structure of the language itself while sensitizing you to the nuances of its sound, and it is the best way to learn Chinese fast.

But there is one more essential step in your Chinese instructional method. You will learn Chinese much faster by making Chinese friends! Making Chinese friends is really the missing secret piece you need to learn Chinese fast, since your new found Chinese friends will tell you when you pronounce a word incorrectly or not and this feedback is vital in mastering Chinese. Pay extremely careful attention to the way your companions shape their lips and tongue as they form their words. You'll find that as you listen to Chinese speakers, you'll be able to understand them relatively quickly. But when you start trying to talk back, you'll get some pained looks, and probably laughter. It's very easy for a rookie to say embarrassing things in Chinese! Before you take that trip to China or entertain any Chinese dignitaries, you'll want to have practiced your conversational skills with people you trust.

You might wonder where in your neighborhood you are going to find Chinese friends to learn to speak Chinese with? You may make some new Chinese friends at your local Chinese restaurant, however just make sure they speak Mandarin if you are planning to visit mainland China and Cantonese if you are planning to visit Hong Kong. Alternatively, try your local Civic Association. If you live near a university, see if they have an Asian students' group. Any of these outlets should put you in touch with people who will help you learn Chinese fast. Just be friendly, and you're well on your way to learning a new language!