Don’t be that foreigner who never has any idea what the locals are saying and has to constantly rely on someone nearby to translate (or get very good at Charades).  Here is some advice for studying Chinese before you arrive in China and continuing after you go to site.  It could mean the difference between being lost in a fog for two years, or actually understanding a little bit of what is happening around you and what makes China tick.  We’ve included links to online resources, answers to questions that have been asked about learning Chinese, and other general tips.  Just follow this link Learn Chinese