Pandagator.info is a website devoted to learning Chinese. Chinese is a unique language in many ways. It is one of the oldest languages still in use, the writing system is different from most western scripts, and its tonal aspects give it flavor. Because of its uniqueness however, there are special challenges to learning Chinese.

• Writing System
• Tones
• Pinyin
• Pronunciation

There are plenty of ways to learn Chinese, your job is to find out ways that work best for you. Scientists say learning a new language is one of the best things to keep your brain healthy, and even more so when it's a tonal language (because you're using both sides). They key is in creating new neural pathways. It's much like cutting a path through a jungle. At first it's tedious work. If you never go down that path again, the jungle takes over and the path is no longer recognizable. You have forgotten. But if you keep hacking away at that path day after day, it becomes easier and easier to go down it. It's no longer work for your brain. The path is well established and you "know" something.

There are several keys to efficient memorization:

1. Immersion
2. Cognition
3. Repetition

1. Immersion
Think about how you learned as a child. When mom taught you how to say "cookie", your senses served as memory aids.

• Sight-you saw the cookie, its color and shape
• Sound-your mom gave you the correct pronunciation
• Touch-you felt the texture of the cookie
• Smell-the cookie smelled good
• Taste-mmm, you ate the cookie

After that, you probably never forgot how to say cookie. When learning Chinese, you want to use as many of your senses as possible. First, look at the character. Study its parts. Next, listen to the correct pronunciation. If it's an item, label the item (word association). Say the word while feeling it, or eating it if possible.

2. Cognition
Think about the word. Look it up in a dictionary. Think about how to put it in a sentence. Think about what the word stands for or what the item is or does. This part is hard, but necessary. Remember, it gets easier.

3. Repetition
Say the word over and over again. Write it down many times. Better yet, do both at once. It usually takes at least three times to remember anything (for instance, how to get to a certain address).

Last of all, enjoy the experience. The brain easily forgets things that are boring. So have fun learning Chinese.