Choose a program. There are a multitude of online programs ranging in price from free to $500. You have to decide which program is best, according to your learning style.Some Options (Pay):chineseon.net -- If you take courses continuously for 18 months you can apply for the National Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK). Tuition is only 35 USD for six (6) months, 65 USD for twelve (12) months or 120 USD for twenty-four (24) months.Chinesehorizon.com -- $23 per month, does with1 on 1 tutoring for 12.50 per hour over Skype and Yahoo. Voted best Mandarin learning site by Yahoo. From beginner to professionalActivechinese.com -- Great with animation, can also choose instructor lead or coach. Used mp3 and mp4. Self study is $229 for full course. Instructor led starts at $469 for 30 hours. echineselearning.com -- Live teachers. around 6.40 per lessonFreechinese-tools.comfree audio lessons, can learn how to write chinese characters. Also has china club for people to help each other learn languages.BBC-http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/Mixturechinesepod.com -- Audio that be taken with you. split into different levels. The pods are free, but there are some tools that have to be paid for. More Online Chinese Optionshttp://www.csulb.edu/~txie/online.htmhellomandarin.com
Spend Time Studying: You cannot become proficient in any language without taking the time to learn it. Use flash cards, audio, and tutors.
Get a Tutor: If you went the self-study route, then tutor or language guide is a must. There are two sources: Skype, there will most likely be a charge unless you bargain to teach English. The other is Italki, which is free, but you might still need to teach some English.
Reinforce Learning: This may be tough if you live in Smalltown, USA, but in larger cities, just going to a Chinese restaurant could be helpful.
Take the Exam: They have 3 Exams from Beginner to Advanced. You get a Certificate if you pass. This is required if you want to study in China. Consider it like our ESL exam. By starting with this Exam in mind, you will not be inclined to blow off doing the work. It also it great to see how much you have learned.