So You Want to Learn Chinese?

Chinese language programs still draw the majority ofthe foreign exchange students enrolling for coursesin China. Learning Mandarin is a difficult process,however you look at it. Several aspects of the language,such as the absence of a phonetic writing system and thedifferent tones, make it almost impossible to learn onones own. But China offers a wide array of options thatwill allow you to unravel the linguistic complexities ofputonghua (Mandarin).