The fastest way to learn Chinese is to actually live in China, but there are other alternatives

Chinese seems like such a mysterious language to Western cultures. The rhythmic cadence of the spoken language is almost mesmerizing, and the lack of a structured alphabet makes Chinese appear harder to learn than it really is.

Truth told, the average educated Chinese native only needs to know between 6,000 and 7,000 characters, a little less than the 8,000 words the average American knows of English. Plus, the strict rules of sentence structure make the language even easier to learn, since there aren’t so many exceptions to the rules.

Of course, billions of Chinese already know this. They have been taking Chinese language lessons since they were born. But there are ways you can learn to speak Chinese, without having to travel or live in China.

Here are some of the ways you can take Chinese language lessons that will have you speaking and writing the language in no time.

Traditional Classes: Many community colleges and other educational institutions offer Chinese language lessons these days. In a classroom environment, you learn with other students the meanings of the characters, and get instant feedback on your pronunciation and usage. The downside of traditional classes is that you move along at the same pace as everyone else. So if you need a little extra time on a skill, it’s easy to fall behind. Plus, these classes can become very expensive once you move beyond the beginning level.

Language CDs & DVDs: Do a quick search on google.com for “Chinese language lessons” and you’ll find plenty of companies that offer CDs and DVDs that offer you language courses that can be taken on your computer. Ranging from complete courses to ones geared toward conversational Chinese for tourists, these Chinese language lessons can be effective for some students. The main drawback is you don’t receive any feedback from an instructor, who may be able to offer you specific tips and suggestions regarding your pronunciation. These tools lack the interactivity live lessons can offer you, which, in the case of Chinese, is very important.

Stories, conversations and humor. Available online and as podcasts, there are many resources available that offer you the chance to learn Chinese by repeating key phrases or entire passages. These shouldn’t be confused with actual Chinese language lessons. These resources don’t allow you to ask questions, work on individual language problems or learn the grammatical rules required to master the language.

Online lessons with a native speaker: For most people, online Chinese language lessons offer the best option for mastering the language. You work at your own pace with someone who is not only fluent in Chinese, but is from China. You can learn the nuances of pronunciation, focus on problem areas and learn the language much more quickly. The one-on-one environment offers you the chance to practice in the privacy of your own home whenever you wish and ask questions. You get the immediate feedback of an expert in the language, plus you never have to feel embarrassed during your classes, since you’re the only student attending.

A site like Mando Mandarin (http://www.mandomandarin.com) offers students Chinese language lessons that are taught by native speakers. Students can work at their own pace and gain a command of the language quickly by working directly with an instructor in a virtual classroom environment.

Outside of living in China, it’s one of the best ways you can learn one of the most beautiful and ancient languages in the world.