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watch movies in that language and take notes while watching

Here are some ideas many second language learners don't normally realize.

FIRST: Completely eliminate idioms when you speak. We use a LOT of phrases that are not understood in other countries, and they use ones we don't understand. Examples: Get to first base. Flip the switch. Hitch a ride. Hit the road.

Put yourself in the place of a new learner of English and ask yourself if you would really understand the meaning of 'hit the road' when you heard it, or would you litterally try to 'hit the road'?

Even between England and North America, for example 'knock someone up'. In North America it means get someone pregnant. In England it means knock on their door. So you can see how embarrassing it might be should you stumble on an idiom that means something else.

SECOND: Realize that it is not ALWAYS a one-for-one word exchange when translating. Some languages can express an idea in as little as one word compared to a few, and vice-versa.

Also, many languages don't use the Subject, Verb, Object sequence that English does. Some are S-O-V or V-S-O, etc.

Hand in hand with this, understanding that the idea being expressed is what's important, not the way it's said. Just because the sentence wasn't constructed the way we would have said it doesn't make it wrong.

THIRD: Pronunciation can be improved by reciting the names of things you see as you walk about, and holding conversations with yourself in the absence of friends to practice with. (Warning! Don't do this in the vacinity of mental institutions.)

LAST: I cheated. I learnt the worlds easiest language first and now I find I understand English better (my native tongue) and I'm in a better position to learn more languages. I've provided a link below to better explain this.

That language was ESPERANTO. It is designed such that you MUST understand sentence structure, which helps to understand other languages. It has 16 gramatical rules... with NO EXCEPTIONS!

Plus you end up with a multitude of Esperanto friends; oh the burdens we bear.

Not to understate it of course, but listen to and read as much as you possibly can, whenever you can.

Immersion, immersion, IMMERSION!

I listen to Esperanto music all day long, just to tune my ear to it.

Any second language makes learning a third easier because you acquire a feel for the differences that other languages might have. Esperanto is the logical choice as the second language because it demonstrates linguistic principles better than most, but more importantly, you can learn Esperanto in months instead of years for any other tongue.

In either case, the first points should help you master another tongue. Regardless of whether you learn Esperanto or not.

Good luck!

Ĝis!

Books and tapes may help but the very best way to learn a new language is to live in the country of the language you wish to learn. Now I know that's not always possible so the closest would be to find people that speak it and learn from them :)

My methods: Books on the language - dictionaries, learning the language type of books, books w/ tapes to help learn pronunciation.

Practice every day. Learn new words. Stick to the books and have fun. Use flash cards. Watch videos that follow with the books (if any).

1) Don't think of that language as a "foreigh" language, make it yours.

2) Computer programs: "Learn Spanish Now!" "Learn French Now!" etc. these are great and there are plenty of good ones out there.

3) Learn to love the music and and culture of that language.

4) Make friends who speak that language and try to speak it to them... even online using Yahoo messenger.

5) Try to think in that language.

6) Take a class at a community college

7) books and tapes can be useful pratice, but they really won't do you much good.

If you can't take a class with an instructor, I would recommend books with tapes. That way you can learn the accents that go with the language. Also, reading, writing, and speaking go together. So, it would be best to get like a read-along tape format. Good luck!

If you're a guy, get a girlfriend that speaks this language as a native language and preferably does not speak your own native language. Then you're forced to learn her language and you wouldn't believe how fast this works. That's the way I learned quite a few languages. It's easy and it's fun.

the EASIEST way is actually immersion. If it's learn it or be unable to communicate, you will be surprised at how quickly you learn. Books are only good if you have an audible source as well to hear the difference in how certain sounds are made. Some letters or letter combinations are pronounced differently in other languages. For example, "She likes you." in French is written "Elle t'aiment" and pronounced "El tem" The "-ent" isn't pronounced at all.

Go to the country of the language & work there !

3 months will help a lot .

For me, reading more and more of second language you desire to learn is another great way to explore that language.

yeap by using tapes n books may help u more n faster,but u must have the interest first then only u can motivate it slowly.the best thing is ask ur friend to learn with u together.good luck.