Yes, we'll learning Chinese! Well everyone feel it's difficult to learn, but it's not difficult when we have writing demonstration!
Here's the link:
http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/character-stroke-order.php?searchChinese=1&zi=%E6%83%B3
It's easier and you can learn. What you can do is to search any Chinese word and paste it in field of search, and it will show up with animation.
As you will notice, the stroke usually start on first box. So let's imagine the word is like a world with imaginary line, and you get the idea of writing.
You will notice each word consist of strokes and form, and the direction of writing usually start from left to right, or top left to right.
To learn writing Chinese, you're likely to refer the link and learn how to write.
If wish to read more about strokes, wikipedia provide in depth about it.
(Read for references )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Written_Chinese#Strokes
Reading
When you first read Chinese, their Chinese phonics originate from China and Taiwan. You may see two types: Simplified and traditional Chinese.
Citizens from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and other Chinese communities practiced writing traditional way.
Citizens from Singapore, China and Malaysia practiced writing simplified version.
I was born to write simplified way in Singapore. Traditional Chinese has more strokes, and simplified Chinese was developed to make characters faster to write.
There are two forms and you have a choice to read one of them based on your preferences or continued studying one of Chinese you have learn before.
Their vowels look similar to English but they are based on traditional Chinese, and was used in simplified Chinese writing.
A, E, I, O, U
Why I take out those 'vowels'? They are usually mark above with a sign for character's readings! These are the pattern and it is important if writing phonics.
There are four tones in each 'vowels'
first tone, high level, mā (unstressed)
second tone, rising, má (light, unstressed) e.g. protege. *te
third tone, falling rising, mǎ (stress a bit, not too much)
fourth tone, falling, mà (stressed)
Words
Like English, there are many common words and it also apply in Chinese.