This is an interesting topic. I would like to share my personal experience in learning a foreign language.
I am a German linguist together with being a writer and well I aspire to learn more languages in future. I must say the aptitude to pick up a language is inborn but hey practice makes anything perfect so dont lose hope. If you are diligent enough, you can pick up anything.
I took up foreign language as a career in the software industry. And I ended up doing both being a linguist and a writer.Well the first thing you should keep in mind is why do you want to learn a foreign language ? Is it for pleasure or for professional purpose. Whatever be the reason, be genuine in your need to learn.
It is always better to attend classes and learn instead of learning online. Attending classes like Max Mueller Bhavan ( for German) and Alliance Francias ( for French ) will provide you with lot of benefits like access to the library , teachers, etc. Learning is fun and entertaining in these institutions... Online learning is better if one is an advanced learner. Mind you colleges which teach foreign languages might be boring.. try and get enrolled in an institution like Max Mueller Bhavan and Alliance Francias.
Well to start with learning a foreign language is easier if you are having fun while learning it. The institutions of foreign languages usually have a unique method of teaching which involves visual lessons and lot of interaction with each other.
Get your basics right.
By basics I mean the alphabets, numericals, singular-plural forms, forming simple sentences, etc. If possible make a list of the important rules and keep it next to your desk so that you get to look at it whenever you are sitting there.
Visual imagination
Visual association adds to your learning.
That should be easy if you have had fun associated with your words... for example ... ’’Ich esse gern Spaghetti’’ ( I love to eat Spaghetti) was associated with my liking for Spaghetti. I learnt that ’’esse’’ was a verb, Ich defined me, ’’gern’’ defined my fondness and well whenever I thought about Spaghetti.. I associated this sentence with it. In the class we had fun learning each other’s favourite food and how the sentences were constructed... Its always easier to learn if you are visual about what you are learning.
* Study
Keep in touch with your books, preferably for one hour every day. Refresh your memory with what you have learnt.
Keeping in touch with your books are very important. If you are bored with your books, try audio cassettes which contain audio lessons, brush up your phonetics. Phonetics are very important when you are speaking a foreign language.Speak out words that are new to you aloud till you get it right. If that does not stimulate you borrow story books or video lessons from the library in your institution and watch that.. studying will be much easier. Try and complete your assignments on time.
* Using Dictionary
Using the dictionary is very important when you are learning a language. You have to learn how to use a dictionary and a thesaurus as you progress in your course. For example, in German one word could have multiple meanings, we had to put the right word in the right context of speech and for that we had to learn how to use a dictionary.... which proved very helpful in our advanced years.
Interaction
Interaction between your friends in the class is another point which aids in learning. Talk to your friends and teachers in that language.Do not be afraid of saying the wrong thing and being laughed at. You will learn from your mistakes. Remember, everyone is at the same level and can speak as good as or as bad as you.. except for the teacher...and unless you make mistakes you will never learn. Trying to frame questions and asking them also helps... and... for me ... If I didnt know how to .. I would use sign language or draw it on the board for the teacher to help me out ....
Listen to radio or music of that language or watch a TV show in that language. Watch a movie in a foreign language whose original version you have watched earlier in your native Language.
Think International
We have a tendency to think in our mother tongue or in English . Try and avoid that. Think in the language that you are learning. That helps a lot understanding the language.
Culture and tradition
In order to speak like a native from a foreign land ... its is essential to learn about the country’s culture and traditions. Eating habits, festivals, their society, etc. This is a step higher which aids you to become a perfect linguist. It will also help you to mold yourself easily with the foreigners of that land if you have updated yourself appropriately. Just learning is not enough.. you have to live it ... :)
Well I guess I have covered the basic points which are necessary in order to learn a foreign language. Hope it proved helpful.
Dont forget to have fun while learning a language :):)
Best of luck !!