Develop an ear for the foreign language by maximizing exposure throughout daily life. Play music, watch films and listen to conversations in the new language. Actively creating a lifestyle of language immersion can assist in formal, directed learning and improve pronunciation.
Avoid trying to acquire fluency by simply studying a phrase book or dictionary. Phrase books can assist in emergencies while abroad but can lead to extremely poor pronunciation habits, states University of California professor Gregorio Billikopf Encino. Supplement texts and written worksheets with an auditory pronunciation guide by a native speaker. Foreign language software can provide feedback and auditory examples.
Actively initiate experiences in which you'll be forced to rely on foreign-language capability. Travel to a foreign country, and spend the time abroad interacting with locals exclusively in the second language. Though work or academic schedules can render foreign study impossible, emulate the experience at home by attending language conversation groups or tutoring with a native speaker.