Here is a really useful on-line dictionary. You can use it to translate from english to pinyin or the other way around. You can also type in pinyin and it will convert to characters and show you how the character is formed with strokes. With a bit of patience you can type in a phrase in english, translate it to pinyin and characters and then "cut & paste" into a document. We've used it to add greetings to cards for our Chinese friends. You can also do a quiz or test yourself with flash cards if you're feeling really advanced (not us we hasten to add!)

You may need to highlight & cut & paste into your address bar:

http://us.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php

Simon & Anna