How to learn to read and write Chinese characters (Part 1)

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This two part video series introduces how to approach learning to read and write Chinese characters, types of characters, how they are put together and answers some common questions.

Basic guidelines for writing Chinese characters

oxfordlanguagedictionaries.com/view/Document.ht…

Radicals (the basic components that make up characters)

archchinese.com/arch_chinese_radicals.html
ctcfl.ox.ac.uk/Lang%20work/Radicals/Strokes&… (some simple examples)

Character etymologies (break down of how they are put together)

archchinese.com
yellowbridge.com/chinese/character-dictionary.p…
zhongwen.com

Stroke order animations (how to write demos for each character)

archchinese.com
nciku.com/
downloadable software packages (wenlin, dimsum)

Most frequently used Chinese characters

zein.se/patrick/3000char.html

Reading and learning tools

pinyin.sogou.com/ (pinyin input method for typing in chinese. To download, click the big green button in the middle of the website. Install is in Chinese but keep pressing next to move through the install. When installed, you can activate it with CTRL-Space)

wenlin.com/ (excellent software for learning chinese, mouseover dictionary, character breakdowns, stroke order demos etc)

DIMSUM software:

mandarintools.com/dimsum.html (reading aid and dictionary, free software)

ankisrs.net/ (flashcard software for testing yourself vocab or characters)
pleco.com/ (excellent dictionary for iphone, ipad, android)
skritter.com/ (character learning for iphone)

Books For Character Learning (Just some examples)

amazon.co.uk/Chinese-Characters-Learn-Remember-…
amazon.co.uk/Remembering-Simplified-Hanzi-Meani…

Textbooks (again, just a few of my choices)

amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Chinese-complete-beginne…
amazon.co.uk/Complete-Mandarin-Chinese-Book-Pac…

Beijing Language and Culture University Press - New Practical Chinese Reader (Series)