learning mandarin links

Tonal languages can often confound Anglophones like myself. Here's a short, but visually useful article that describes the tones elegantly for English speakers.
Keywords: article, tones, basics

Another nice introductory set of lessons. The explanations are a little spare, but the inclusion of audio files are a welcome addition.
Keywords: lessons, tutorials, basics

Offers a crash course in Mandarin in 10 short parts. Click on the topics in order to see the slideshow and hear the language.
Keywords: tutorials, lessons, basics

Basic vocabulary is covered on this site. Many of the pages show images of related objects (e.g. things in a living room). Mouseover to hear the pronunciation.
Keywords: vocabulary, learning, basics, pronunciation, audio, pictures

Set of 20 videos with subjects ranging from hotel check-in to visiting a doctor. Content is useful if you can get past the 1995 web-design.
Keywords: basics, travel, lessons