Learn Arabic alphabet and numbers. Urdu in written in the Arabic script, and it is read and written from right to left. The UK India website offers free beginning Urdu writing lessons online.
Build your vocabulary in Urdu by learning common words and phrases. Utilize YouTube to help you learn Urdu. There are many instructional Urdu videos available. When you watch the videos, you will be able to hear the words being spoken. Also, you'll often see the words written in Urdu, and sometimes even the person speaking them. Search for "learn Urdu" on the YouTube website.
Pause the videos occasionally and repeat the words you are learning. Rewind each video and play it back to hear words again.
Listen to and read Urdu as much as possible. Read and listen to the news in Urdu daily online. For example, the BBC News website allows you to read the news in Urdu. Plan on spending time everyday reading and listening to the language.
Join an online language exchange such as My Language Exchange to practice your speaking and writing skills in Urdu. You can chat via text and with audio to an Urdu speaker who wants to learn English. You can also exchange emails in Urdu. Ask your conversation partner to correct your grammar and to help you build your vocabulary when you talk together. Meet regularly so that you get plenty of practice producing the language.
Hire a private Urdu tutor. Once you reach a plateau in learning Urdu, a private tutor will help you target specific areas of the language you need to improve with personalized lessons.