How I did it: I actually was serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Taiwan where we learned tradition written Mandarin Chinese.
I found that I looked beyond my goal. I didn't just think "I want to learn Chinese" instead I thought "I want to tell everyone about the happiest message in the world"

Then I wasn't so worried about my Chinese. It came naturally. It was just a stepping stone. My message was my motive. Chinese was just the way to do it.

Lessons & tips: If you are just learning Chinese to learn Chinese you will struggle and most likely be discouraged.
If your goal is to do business, or better talk to your Chinese friend then your motives are higher and you will just have to learn Chinese in the process.

Resources: Far East Publishing has some great books.
BYU Provo Utah has the BEST language learning in the world.
Most of all PRAYER! Prayer is the only way I could have learned it so fluently and so rapidly. Talk to your Local LDS missionaries.

Apr 23, 09:24AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer