I want to learn how to speak Chinese, but I don't want to learn either the reading, nor the writing...

My explanation and preference is that if you want to learn Chinese you should also learn the reading and the writing.

In our school we teach speaking, reading writing, culture and interpretation/translation.

In the speaking and the listening part, we want the student to listening and understanding correctly and when speaking to pronounce correctly and be able to express in proper sentences.

In the reading part, we want the student to be able to read Chinese character and sentences. If you go to China or Chinatown, you should be able to understand the street signs, name of shops, restaurants, banks, hospitals etc.

When you pick up a newspaper you should be able to read the headlines. When you are given a form, you should be able to understand the written information.

In writing, you should be able to write your Chinese name, fill out a simple immigration entrance form when you visit China. When you learn to type Chinese with your computer, you should be able to write and read Chinese e-mails with your friends or for work purposes.

How long will it takes for me to master Chinese?

You should spend a few years on Chinese if you are really serious in learning Chinese.

I am still learning Chinese myself; it is a never ending pursuit. There are so many things to learn in Chinese.

What advice would I give to students?

I would encourage the student to go to a good Chinese school. Be a diligent student. Listen to the pronunciation carefully. Visit free web sites. Find good dictionaries, watch Chinese TV or listen to Chinese radio. Expose to Chinese as much as possible.

This reminds me of my niece and nephew. Both of them are fluent in English and Chinese and the yare are 3 and 6respectfully. They cannot write Chinese, but they can speak Chinese fluently. They made mistakes and asked a lot of question of how to say this and that. They are not shy when we laugh at their mistakes. So, try learning like a child with an open mind. It is not too difficulty, you just need practice.

How many characters are there? How many should I learn?

Some books tell us that there are 80,000 characters, some said 50,000 and yet some said 30,000. Regardless the number, one only needs 3,000 to read the newspaper.

How to practice Chinese?

I would encourage the student to go to a good Chinese school. Be a diligent student. Listen to the pronunciation carefully. Visit free web sites. Find good dictionaries, watch Chinese TV or listen to Chinese radio. Expose to Chinese as much as possible.

Practice by speaking it, reading it, listening to it, writing it, thinking about it, I even dreaming in it.

• Make flash cards. I used to paste nouns around my room on the furniture. I carried verbs card and tried to use them as I have idol time on my hand, like waiting in line.
• I go to Chinese church and listen to the preacher with the interpreter.
• I buy cartoon books in Chinese. I also buy bi-lingual books or magazines.
• I go to Chinese restaurant and read the bi-lingual menu.
• I watch lots of Chinese movies and listen to Chinese songs.
• I tried to write some Chinese with a dictionary everyday.
• Practice talking with Chinese friends.
• Immerse into Chinese and Chinese culture as much as I can.