If the number one language to learn for anyone not already speaking the language is English, then I would say that Mandarin is approaching number two because of

If the number one language to learn for anyone not already speaking the language is English, then I would say that Mandarin is approaching number two because of the rapid rise of China. Also, one of the best online resources for learning languages started out with Mandarin. Check out chinesepod.com, a service which I believe was even more effective than my Mandarin college classes.