Ni Hao,
Wo shi Anugrah (from India). I have always been interested in learning some new skills that can improve me personally and help me to interact with others easily.
One of the things I do is to learn new Language bit by bit via listening to music, conversating with friends who are native to that language, movies and so on.
I tried learning Telugu, one of the southern language from India and I got some success in that, thanks to it having many similarities with Sanskrit and as I was surrounded by native telugu speakers + a friend who was also learning it with me.
At present, I am inclined towards Mandarin and for some background I have many ethnic chinese friends with whom I talk on daily basis. I try to read into their conversation and ask about meaning of some words from them later on using them in my mixed English+Chinese speech which sounds funny!
I am also a fan of Zhou Chieh Lun (Jay Chou) and some other singers. Plus, I have been following many Malaysian Chinese youtubers because of my personal interest who sometimes make videos in Mandarin/Canton.
But I don't have anyone with me interested in learning with whom I can easily discuss without annoying them. I miss that catalyst part in learning Mandarin. I tried using youtube but it was not that effective.
Is there anything I am doing wrong in my approach to learn the language? I haven't started thinking about writing style though. Some suggestions from you guys will be helpful.
Zai Jian ;)