Take a Chinese course. One of the most efficient ways to learn a language quickly is to take an organized class. Many universities and community colleges now offer Chinese classes in both Mandarin and Cantonese, and focus on teaching language tones, writing skills, listening and reading. Some websites also offer free online classes in Mandarin. Find links in Resources.
Practice your listening skills by watching Chinese movies, playing Chinese music, listening to Chinese radio or conversing with a friend. Listening is especially important in mastering the Chinese language because speaking tones are essential to understanding both Mandarin and Cantonese. You must be able to determine through listening what each syllable's tone is before you can decipher what the person is saying.
Write characters daily. Whether you take a class or learn by yourself at home, you must practice writing your Chinese characters each day. Special character-writing paper is available through Chinese or educational bookstores and provides small boxes in which to write each character. You need to memorize at least 4,000 characters to be able to read Chinese writing fluently.
Enhance your reading skills using children's books or Chinese textbooks, which often contain short paragraphs and text excerpts. When you first begin learning Chinese, reading will be difficult since there are no spaces in Chinese writing to indicate word breaks. Begin reading short sentences or paragraphs and gradually increase your reading skill until you can read longer passages.
Review flash cards daily. Make your own flash cards or purchase them in the educational section of a bookstore. Chinese flash cards are generally very small and fit in your pocket or purse, so carry them with you for easier reviewing.