Mandarin Chinese pronunciation (pinyin)?

Hi, I have a number of questions about Mandarin pinyin pronunciation:

1. How do you know when "i" in pinyin should be pronounced "uh" or "ee" or "er" as in the English word "fur" (examples of usage in chi and shi)? I've heard it as all these ways and am very confused as to which is correct, keeping in mind I am aiming for the Beijing accent.

2. In the pinyin "e", how does one know if it is to be pronounced as the English sound "uh" or "eh"? I have heard "ye" as both "yeh" and "yuh".

3. Does it really make a huge difference if you give your "ch" and "zh" different forces of air, like I know some of the sounds have more air than others, like "p" and "b"...?

4. Which region's/city's accent is the most understood throughout the PRC?

5. "Eng"- pronounced like "ung" or "ang" in the english word "hang"? How do I know which is right? Like for example, cheng2 chi2

I know that if I heard the word before I should know how to spell it in pinyin the problem is I'm hearing so many different ways to say things! Please help! Xie Xie!!
So are there exceptions to the pinyin "e"? Such as in "de" in "wo de"? Isn't that pronounced "duh"?

Thanks for the info on pronunciation variations though...I'm sure it's similar to Spanish, with Castilians having a lisp and the Argentines with their pronunciation of "ll".

how to I improve Chinese (or any languages) pronunciation?

Although i never asked them, I have a few friends of non Asian decent and are over the age of 25, have managed to more or less master Chinese pronunciation. Meaning the speak Chinese with no accent.

One guy speak Chinese with a north eastern accent, the other two with a Taiwanese accent.

I studied chinese for about 4 years now, one in the states and 3 in china. I guess my pronunciation isn't bad, and Chinese people understand everything I say with no problem. Still it would be cool to be one of those guys who can speak Chinese, or any language for that matter with no accent.

Heres what i do now

1. watch lots of Chinese TV and movies, and when ever i can remember, I mimic what the cast is saying...

2. from time to time, sing Chinese songs

3. and the one i rarely do, but perhaps should do the most is practice those standardization books, (Putong hua Deng Ji kao shi) Pretty much they are books with a CD, that are filled with things that are hard to say, compare sounds, and of co
sorry bottom got cut off...
read this 2

compare sounds, and of course have tongue twisters.

I think my major problem is I just don't practice this stuff frequently enough and no longer have a Chinese person or teacher to tell me when I say something wrong, but still it would be great to hear what you guys have to say!!!

thanks!!!!

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation & Tutoring needed :)

大家好!!!
Hello everyone! I'm starting my first year of Mandarin Chinese at College.
I love the language, I'm intrigued by the culture and History....I'm in simply in love with it.
My question is, would practicing Chinese conversation 2 or 3 hours a a day everyday improve my pronunciation for the next 3 months?
For the ones who have studied Chinese, how long would it take to acquire and "OK" accent? My mother tongue is Spanish so it helps me to imitate sounds easier.
Any suggestions welcome! And any tutors too!

Chinese Pronunciation help?

Ok, so I go to this Chinese school on Saturdays and I am trying to learn to speak Chinese, have been doing so for the past 4 years... and my teacher says I need to work on the tones and my accent, I was wondering if there was anyone out there who would be willing to talk Chinese with me and help me with pronunciation....perhaps through Skype? Please it would be much appreciated, xie xie....