My wife and I have used several online Mandarin teaching sites. For us, Chinese Learn Online is the most comprehensive, user friendly and effective. The content, pacing, review, and reinforcement are superior, and we feel like we're in a class with an instructor who really cares about our success. We have enjoyed the podcasts and lessons so much that we'll continue when we return from China. That's about the best feedback you can get.

I am just learning Chinese as a hobby, really. In my job (I teach and research Biochemistry at Sydney University) I come across a lot of Chinese people (both fellow scientists and students) and, although they all speak perfect English, it is a good ice-breaker and much appreciated if I have a go with my Mandarin! However, some of my more cynical colleagues think I'm only learning so that I can tell what the students in the front row of my lecture are saying about my classes :-)

I have been learning for about 6 months... I really like the way your course is 'progressive'...