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You want to start studying Chinese on your own?
For a variety of reasons many schools are unable to offer Chinese classes. Since Mandarin is tonal and uses a different writing system, it takes more time to learn than other commonly offered languages. Here are some suggestions on how to begin learning Chinese on your own so that you will be more successful once you have an opportunity to study Chinese in a more rigorous setting. I am just starting to learn Chinese so by all means my advice is very limited. Nevertheless here are some suggestions and observations that I find useful.

1. Mandarin. Standard Mandarin is the official language in China that everyone must learn at school. In The People's Republic of China it is referred to as Pǔtōnghuà (Common Language). In other areas it is known as Gúoyǔ (National Language), or Huáyǔ (Chinese Language). Cantonese is another form of Chinese spoken in the Canton region and in Hong Kong. Pinyin is a writing system using Romanized letters to represent the sound system of standard Mandarin. It is used as a tool to both teach and learn Mandarin. To function in the country one must also learn Chinese characters. Regardless of the dialect spoken, the same Chinese characters are used in writing. Traditional Characters contain more stokes than simplified characters. It is important to learn to read the traditional characters since they are commonly used in literature intended for Chinese speakers outside of Mainland China, Malaysia and Singapore. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan use primarily the traditional characters.

2. Pimsleur. Many sites sell audio CDs that introduce languages with the "Pimsleur" method. An abridged version of "level 1" costs less than $20 and provides 4 hours of lessons. Once you feel comfortable saying the expressions, try learning to write them in pinyin! These are the type of CDs you can listen to in your car.

3. Conservation Textbook & CDs. Community Education offers a class in conversational Mandarin. The textbook comes with two audio CDs. The text is Beginner's Chinese by Yong Ho. These are not the type of CDs you can listen to in your car.

4. Integrated Chinese Textbook and ancillaries. This textbook and it's components are used at EMU, U of M, and Wayne State. The audio CDs and Character Workbook are very useful. These are not the type of CDs you can listen to in your car.

5. Tutor. Study on your own and find a tutor to work with you once a week or once every two weeks.

6. Character Reference Book. Reading & Writing Chinese: Simplified Character Edition by William McNaughton. This is a practical reference for foreign students. There is a glossary in pinyin and in English.

7. Internet. Besides the sites listed above. There is an overwhelming number of sites on the internet to support your learning. Find a few that work for you and study on a regular basis.

a. Concise English-Chinese / Chinese-English Dictionary (Paperback) by Martin H. Manser and published by Oxford University Press

b. Xinhua Dictionary with English Translations (Paperback) by Yao Naiqiang published by The Commercial Press International Co

9. Michigan Virtual School. Chinese classes are now available! http://www.mivhs.org/

10. Chengo Chinese. Chengo Chinese is a free multi-media Chinese learning system available on the internet. http://www.elanguage.cn/

12. American Chinese School of Great Detroit. Classes are held on Saturdays in Derby Middle School in Birmingham. Classes are offered during two sessions: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM & 12:30-2:30. New classes start in the fall but we often have people visit the class to see if it is the right fit for them. http://www.acsgd.org/home/home.asp

13. The Usborne Internet-linked First Thousand Words in Chinese. The vocabulary in this book is illustrated and grouped by theme with simplified characters and pinyin. The book lists an internet site that provides links for hearing the pronunciation and glossary in the back gives English translations.