@echo and david,

Thanks for your suggestions. In January I started learning Chinese using CD's, books, and some online videos, but I wasn't really learning.

I started the Absolute Beginner at Pop Up Chinese and finally I AM learning!

I listen to the podcasts, review the pdf, listen again and then listen some more and repeat as I listen. So, I am slowly developing listening and some speaking abilities :)

As far as reading hanzi, I try to learn all the hanzi in each lesson, and I also try to learn a few from the HSK list, but it is often difficult for me to remember the hanzi. Also sometimes I get 2 hanzi confused: to me "wo3 我" and "qian2 钱" look alike (lol).

Any suggestions on how to develop reading comprehension (character recognition)? BTW, your Firefox dictionary pop up is AWESOME!

Thanks!多谢!