One of the oldest and most common methods of learning a new language is to study it through traditional, in-person classes. Courses can usually be found at local community colleges or language-learning nonprofit organizations. Cost for these classes is usually low, as they are considered adult education classes rather than counting towards a college degree.
Be aware that German language courses in the United States may be easier to find in some geographic regions than others. Those in some states may need to pursue alternative education for German language learning.
There are many excellent and engaging software programs that teach German. Obvious benefits of this type of study include flexibility to study when you have the time, the ability to study any language regardless of geographic region, and the luxury of doing your study in your own home. Alternatively, software programs cannot provide the benefit of an instructor responding specifically to your questions and challenges in learning German.
Once the essentials of the study have been completed and the student has grasped basic sentence structure, grammar and a decent vocabulary, it is then helpful to engage with others who have mastered German. One-one-one interaction with someone fluent in German can prove especially beneficial in developing conversational German skills. If no one in the student's life speaks German fluently, there are websites to help you establish pen pals from all around the world. Pen pals are an excellent way to learn to read and write German, as well.
The truest test of how well you have mastered the German language is to have no choice but to speak only German. Although most German citizens speak English fluently, a trip to Europe will provide the ideal experience to really complete your mastery of the German language. Speaking to a host, to children, to shopkeepers and others in your new language will reinforce your memory as well as teach valuable tricks and tools that differentiate academic language from everyday usage. Germany itself is also rich with culture and heritage, which can help provide context and connotation to the vocabulary already learned.