Read this wiki on Chinese character history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_character_classification If you scroll down, you'll read about the Oracle Bone Script, the origin of some 600 modern Chinese characters, pertaining to the pictogram style. The other characters are ideographic. If you can find a book that shows all the words you are looking for in this script, I think you'll be happy with it. Good luck!

Here is how I would learn Korean (I'm learning also!): 1. Learn the Hangeul alphabet, it's very simple: http://www.ancientscripts.com/korean.html http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/Language/Korean.htm http://www.indiana.edu/~koreanrs/hangul.html 2. Use a notebook and write it out, over and over 3. Once you can read fast and learned the exceptions to the rule (you will see), its time to move to grammar and vocabulary 3a. Get a dictionary! The best is Minjung's Essence Korean-English dictionary, but it's too expensive. I suggest these two: Oxford Korean-English Picture Dictionary: http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Picture-Dictionary-English-Korean/dp/0194740161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286168684&sr=8-1 Berlitz Korean-English Dictionary: http://www.amazon.com/Berlitz-Korean-Dictionary-Korean-English-English-Korean/dp/9812680217/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1286168684&sr=8-3 4. Here are some good sites for vocab and grammar to start: http://www.busyatom.com/BusyAtom/Learn_korean.html (he has good youtube videos!) http://www.learn-korean.net/learn-korean-classes.html 5. Watch music videos, movies, and tutorials on youtube.com 6. Listen to lots of korean music and/or news shows (just to get the tone into your head) 7. Learn from a textbook. If you can't buy the books, find them at your local library or university library. Here are two good ones I know of: http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Korean-Grammar-Workbook-Workbooks/dp/041577487X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286168570&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/You-Speak-Korean-Soohee-Kim/dp/0972835601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286168593&sr=1-1 8. Find a native Korean friend and practice talking 9. Write journals on this website 10. Ask questions Good luck (and to me too!)

에리카 Erika (pronounced as "eh-ree-kah") 가르시아 Garcia (pronounced as "gah-reu-shi-ah") Here's a simple website to learn the Korean alphabet (Hangeul). It's very easy! http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/Language/Korean.htm http://www.indiana.edu/~koreanrs/hangul.html

Learning a new language is no different. Learn English slowly. Start with one or two common sayings, then learn three or four, and more! Write the English words in a notebook and practice each day. Here are some good websites: http://www.languageguide.org/english http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/mandarin.php http://www.chinese-tools.com/phrasebook The links go Mandarin to English, but you can go English to Mandarin. Also, listen to lots of American music (slow and fast music) and watch American movies. Good luck! Ask me more questions if you need help.

안녕하세요!
Hello!

저는 조셉이에요. 저는 미국인이에요.
My name is Joseph. I am American.

저는 한국어가 좋아요. 저는 한국말 잘못 해요. 한국말 연습해야 돼요!
I like the Korean language. My Korean is bad. I need to practice my Korean!

가봐야 돼요. 금방 갔다 올께요.
I have to go. I will be back.

감사합니다!
Thank you!

-조셉
-Joseph