Hi,Paul .I'm Chinese .Just as you've said ,you want to learn the language casually. first you should know how to pronounce so you should learn the basic Chinese Pinying ,after that you'll find the pronounce of the so-called difficult language is just as easy as your mother tongue . Then try to remember some basic Chinese words ,with the halp of Chinese Pinying it will no longer be difficult. But It needs time to learn a language no matter formal or casually .Be patient and you will succeed . ^_^ ~~~Mercedes

Hi, Paul. I am Chinese and I think if you want to learn Chinese you should do two things.First,you must know how to prounce the basic Chinese Pinying that is similar to 26 letters of English.Second,in my opinon,you could buy a Chinese dictionory.When you have some words that you don't know,you could use the dictionary and learn Chinese by yourself.Hope these words are helpful. Lara

Hi Queenie, its not formal, I just want to learn the language casually. Thanks. Paul

Hi, Paul. I am Chinese, and I am studying in England now, If you want to begin to study Chinese, so what it is for? If you are a formal leaner, you should follow the formal steps, if not, just make a Chinese friends,then, keep in touch with the leaning speaking ,thats fine. Hope these words are helpful. Queenie