L6: Talk is Easier than Read? 说易读难

Yes. Most English educated Chinese can speak Chinese but not read. You have to put in a lot of afford before you can do so.

Like what I said previously, you have to know hanyu pinyin, then only you can look for pronunciation and meanings in dictionaries. Hanyu pinyin is sort of linguistic, but is easier to understand.

I would start with Chinese communications. You can then learn and use it. Don't afraid someone would laugh at you or shy to ask someone who know.