Hey! I've got a great tip for learning faster:
While I'm listening/reading the Chineese-course I'm playing playing with a RUBIKS CUBE or bouncing a BALL against the wall/floor.
Why it helps?
Well most people know that the left half of the brain is the logical, sequential and rational part, which you use when you're f.x learning a language. The right half is the creative, intuitive and subjective part. activating both halfs while you're learning chineese helps you learn QUICKER, and to concentrate.
So there you've got a little trick, from me to you... and a little neurology