IS this chinese year going to be the year of the rat? when does chinese new year begin and what does year of?

It's just a Year indicated by the Chinese based on the Zodiac of the 12 Animals.

You should be able to figure most of this out by going to your nearest chinese restaurant and reading the paper place mats. (some only have them at lunch time - more formal at night). The Chinese year is lunar, so, like the Muslim and Jewish Calendars, floats according to the Gregorian Calendar. New Years usually falls sometime in mid-to-late January. A good calendar should fit you out. The animals are the zodiacal signs, and each year, cycle of twelve, has a different animal. all that´s on your placemat. Go have some egg rolls for me.