I need Help!

Learn a second language the same way you learned your mother tongue. Listening, then speaking, then reading, then writing.

now i learned chinese for i year in  my college so i can help you
i think the major important in chinese language that you must notice is the pronunciation becuase if in the beginning you pronunciation isnt good you cant change it and chinese people wont   understand you because of the tones and you must pay attention for the chinese tones very much
 

I agree with you that pronunciation is very important, but I think the most important thing is if your tones don\'t affect your communication with Chinese people, then it\'s fine. Think that even Chinese people talk with accent.  As to where to start, it all depends on why you study Chinese, but it\'s easier to start with speaking, build up your vocabulary, and practice. As for Chinese characters, you can start with simple one, but Characters really take time to memorize. :)

well, I would like to tell you some words about my learning this enormous language.I began with writing,and only after 3-5 months i began studing chinese as a sistem,wich includes writing,reading and in my opinion the most important part - speaking.Well,i satisfied with my results very-very much,so i would like to recommend you such sistem as a well-worked way of studing chinese!

With my best wishes!

I've been living in China for 10 years.  When I first arrived I never imagined I would stay so long, so I just learned pinyin and speaking.

With pinyin you soon reach a learning plateau due to all the similar sounds.

Now that I have a family here, I'm finally learning to read. 

I recommend Pinyin, speaking, listening then reading.  When you work on reading, it will expand your vocabulary and therefor your speaking.  I don't bother with writing, as if I can read and speak it, I can type it.