One way to improve your skills in speaking and writing English is listening.  You can listen to English programs everyday for 30 minutes.  For listening, it is recommended to listen to cartoons or some movies that are specially made for children.  Their languages are easy to understand because they do not contain complicated phrases or slang terms.

>> English as a Second Language

i planned to take mandarin because i planned to visit china and perhaps to work with the chinese. I know a little bit of english so i can share with them too 

learning english is not difficult unless you dont have the interest like me.