Enroll in a basic French course. Both the Alliance Française and university extension courses offer a good, comprehensive introduction to the language.
Take a language course in a French-speaking country. The best (and most fun) way to acquire French quickly is to spend some time in France during your studies. This is commonly known as "French language immersion." Whether you want to learn French cooking in Provence or wish to study in Paris for a few weeks, there are numerous language immersion vacations from which to choose. In Paris, both the Alliance Française de Paris and the Sorbonne offer reputable French courses.
Hire a French tutor to improve your skills. One of the fastest ways to complement your classes and improve your language skills is by hiring a French tutor to provide interaction and feedback on your progress. Many local language tutors list their services on sites such as Craigslist.
Practice your French by participating in a conversation exchange. An effective (and free) way to improve your French skills quickly is by meeting for an hour or two every week with a French speaker who wants to improve his/her English. For half of the meeting, you and your partner speak French, and for the other half you speak English. Check local language schools or Craigslist for conversation partners in your area.
Listen to French radio. An essential part of language learning is listening, and regularly listening to French radio will help you continue to familiarize yourself with the sounds of the language and keep it fresh in your mind. Log onto Radio France Internationale at rfi.fr for a daily dose of news, music and talk shows.
Watch French movies for another highly effective (and entertaining) way to acquire the language fast. Many great French films are available for viewing at online movie rental outlets.
Read French. Reading French is equally important as listening to the spoken language and will help increase your vocabulary. Log onto onlinenewspapers.com and select France. For lighter fare, visit the parismatch.com or elle.fr for fashion, entertainment and celebrity news.