the sole way to learn Chinese characters is remember,just like what chinese elementary children do,and even the chinese high school——write them many many times and remember them. chinese characters lake many squares,if you want to have a nice handwriting,you can write them in square grids on paper.it's helpful. every square grid like "田" is better.I remember I used it when I was 7 years old,the first time I learned to write chinese characters.Maybe you can draw some grids by your self.haha

i think chinese dictionary is very important

practice makes perfect.

for speaking Chinese, you should and must begin with Pinyin, the tool to help you know how to read Chinese. for writing and reading, you can learn some simple chinese, maybe from the ancient chinese. but for reading and writing, surelly you need a teacher.

if you just want to learn speak chinese...just speak to the native chinese speaker....to be honest ,,,it is difficult for the foreigners to write the chinese characters...if you want to learn how to write the characters,,i will teach you on MSN.....hehe¬¬¬