[Happy2Bhere]

HI!
Just curious if anyone has tried the "Learn Chinese" CD's- if so- any luck? I went on ebay to see if they had any of these CD's- figured I have 14-18 months to learn a little of the language till referral. They have so many different ones- I am clueless! I also didn't know if it even would matter or help. We are asking for a referral of a 18-36 month old. I have a 2 1/2 year old right now- so there isn't alot of time to listen to the CD's or try to learn- just curious what others have done- if anything.
The ones on ebay are:
LEARN CHINESE MANDARIN TEXTBOOK AUDIO 7 CASSETTES CASE
PIMSLEUR Learn to Speak CHINESE CANTONESE Language 4CDs
I guess I didn't realize there would be so many to choose from.
So, if anyone has tried any, with luck, could you let me know? I don't want to waste my time or money if they are too hard, or too time consuming, but if others have had luck, and suggest a certain one, or suggest learning the basics to "survive" when in China- your suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Melissa

[smbcpc]

Hi Melissa,

I have heard a lot of good feedback about the Rosetta Stone CDs for learning Chinese. They are supposedly one of the best products out there. I have been meaning to buy it but keep procrastinating, partly because of the price. Each level is about $200 but you can purchase levels 1 & 2 combined for $320. It would be very beneficial to learn some Chinese before going to China. I better get started.

[Izzybaz]

My husband is using the Pimleseur Mandarin cd's. He seems to be doing well with them. I did one "class" on the Pimleseur and found it a tiny bit difficult, but then again, the language is NOT easy. If you pick things up realtively easily by ear, then Pimleseur could work very well for you. I think that I'm going to opt for a class at a community college if I can.

[SofiasMom]

I'm not a very good self starter so I took a community college class. After that, I got the Pimsleur CD's.

I'd also suggest you learn Mandarin and not Cantonese. Mandarin is the official language and Cantonese is a bit harder to learn (6 tones vs 4).

For the 2 year old, I'd recommend the Mei Mei and Me videos. My daughter loved them and I picked up quite a bit.

[Happy2Bhere]

Thanks for the replies!
Where do you find the Mei Mei and Me videos?
I'd love to get some now- for my daughter. She would LOVE to watch anything to do with her sister "Abby" :-)

[HopefulMommy]

I just found ROSETTA STONE MANDARIN CHINESE 1 & 2 HOMESCHOOL SET on ebay for buy it now price $285.78.

You may want to check them out!

Mei Mei and me web site:

EDITED TO REMOVE RETAIL WEBSITE

If one of you pick up the Rosetta Stone, let us know...

Hugs,

[jasonsmom]

I'm taking Mandarin classes at an adult learning center nearby. I am learning a few phrases and find that I've been able to pick up a couple words that I've heard people using in conversation. I was on the subway on my way home from class and a Chinese girl saw my book "Beginners Chinese". She started talking to me about it and helped me with some of the tones. She said that my instructor seems to have chosen a very hard book for instruction.

Paula

[jjnanj]

We are looking into learning Mandarin as well, but the cost for the classes or the Rosetta stone is kind of prohibitive.

We took a semester of Japanese and from that experiece, we know that it will not be easy. We are also contemplating getting the Mei-Mei DVD's and trying to learn from those with our little one.

After all, it is said that children can learn multiple languages easier than adults. Maybe she will be able to teach us someday!!!

[oleson1]

I made the attempt and failed miserably. I don't think that I really have an "ear" for language. Part of my problem was that it was too tough to know if I was doing it right by trying to learn from a tape and I spent a lot of time second guessing myself. I couldn't even say hello when I got to China. (We did have a great guide, though, who taught us basic phrases). I guess that a smile is the same in any language....

I took Spanish when I was in school and did pretty well with that since it is fairly close to English. Mandarin is a whole different ball game. I do plan, however, to try taking a class at our local college. At least there I will have individualized help

[Reesesjiejie]

If you can find somewhere to take a class, say once a week, it will help with your pronounciation LOADS. I've take 2-1/2 semesters (once a week) at a local community school for the arts. I may not understand everything, and I forget characters easily, but I can hold small, simple conversations (Hello, how are you? Good...can you help me find... and such). However, because of those classes, if you give me the genuine pinyin I can pronounce any Chinese word you give me. I also say LEARN MANDARIN! Learn it while you're waiting. If you get referral (with a child old enough to speak somewhat) from Guangdong or Guangxi provinces, go find yourself a cram guide to Cantonese. It is harder, but the toddlers and older infants from those provinces most likely haven't heard anything but Cantonese, because that's the conversational language there. I have a friend who brought home an almost 3 year old from Guangdong and he didn't understand a word of Mandarin. He was like, "what?".

[WaitingMom22]

I had been on here a lot but am not on much anymore but wanted to say that I started doing Pimslers Cantonese and it is incredible. My husband speaks Cantonese which helps but it is so much fun when I get to correct his pronunciation from what I learn. The other day I was watching Grey's Anatomy and there was a woman that only spoke Chinese and she kept trying to communicate with Izzy and I understood a few of the words! I really need to start doing it again but would totally recommend this company.