Hacking Learning Chinese
jdowdell: Yes, there are frequency lists. This is the most useful, easiest-to-carry one I've found so far:
http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-English-Frequency-Dictionary-M...Access to the official vocabulary classifications is through the HSK program:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/MATERIAL/105441.htmBut there are words, then there are idioms, and there are sentence patterns... if you can afford it, the Pimsleur series is unsurpassed for mastering a series of basic sentence patterns.The John Francis books are useful orientation. If you're studying, the New Practical Chinese Reader series is extensive and helpful.