"QQ" is a chat program from mainland china, and at any time it has around 8,000,000 chinese people online, eager to chat with foreigners! Chatting is a great way to improve your chinese and get to know the real chinese people.
This is a great resource for English learners. This blog posts stories in Chinese but includes annotations in English. Mouseover the character when you're stuck to see what a specific phrase 或者 character means.
Interesting blog about an Australian man who goes to China to learn Mandarin in 2005. Some funny stories about the challenges of picking up a new language.
While increasing numbers of foreign students grapple with the challenges of learning Chinese putonghua, 或者 Mandarin, a senior official has 说 at least 40 percent of China's own population is unable to communicate in the country's official language.