The Chinese language can be broken down into several mutually intelligible dialects. Decide which Chinese dialect you wish to focus on. In order to determine this, assess your needs and wants. Research the dialects in order to determine each dialect's applicability and value to your life.
Ideally, immerse yourself completely in the language of your choice. Go to China and live there for a while if possible. Totally immersing yourself in the language is the most effective way of learning a language quickly and thoroughly. It is effective because it requires you to go about all of your daily functioning using the language. It does not enable you to rely on your native language as you otherwise may be likely to do. As well, completely immersing yourself in the language can give you insight into the culture surrounding it, as some colloquialisms that you might not be able to learn otherwise. There are a large number of programs for Americans which offer individuals the opportunity to live in China as an ESL teacher. Some opportunities even offer lessons in Chinese. This may be a helpful way of immersing yourself in the language, particularly in an interactive way.
Consume media that is in the Chinese dialect of your choice. Books, movies, music, and other media in Chinese are an invaluable resource. They allow you to hear proper pronunciation, and gain exposure to the language in a large variety of settings. Chinese films with English subtitles can be an easy way to help learn the language in the beginning.
Find someone to practice with. A study friend can help keep you motivated and stay on track. Another speaker of your native language can make for an excellent study partner. Studying with someone else allows the learning process to be more interactive and fun. As well, studying with a native Chinese speaker can be helpful, as they will be able to correct your mistakes and help keep you on track. Search online for both English and Chinese speakers who might be interested in helping you.
Get Chinese language instruction materials from the library. The library is an excellent resource, as it offers a plethora of material for free. Use guides on learning Chinese, and work through them at your own pace.