Pick a language that you are interested in learning and look for language courses at local community colleges, universities or language centers. If courses in your target language aren't offered, gather your own study materials by visiting the library to borrow audio cassettes and phrase books. You can also go online to language learning websites, such as the one offered by BBC, that provide free access to a variety of audio and video courses in many languages.
Dedicate 30 minutes to an hour each day to study your target language. Start by learning the fundamentals such as basic phrases and vocabulary words, ensuring that you have mastered a lesson before progressing to something more difficult. Keep the material fresh in your mind by frequently reviewing what you have learned.
Make flashcards of vocabulary words and phrases. Write the vocabulary in the target language on one side of the card and the English translation on the other side.Test yourself frequently by looking at the foreign language side of the card and guessing its English equivalent and vice versa. Retest yourself on the cards that you got wrong, until you know the correct answer. Carry the cards with you and use them during your free time throughout the day.
Listen to the radio or watch a movie in your target language. Take note of the linguistic nuances within that language such as commonly used expressions, small talk phrases, slang and idioms. Practice your pronunciation by paying attention to the speaker's speech and try to mimic it. Gradually begin to incorporate some of the newly learned expressions, slang and idioms in your own speech.
Learn vocabulary words in context. Find books, magazines or websites in the target language that are related to your hobbies and interests. Take time to read them, pausing to make flash cards of words you don't understand. Look up the words in a dictionary or ask a native speaker for clarification.
Immerse yourself in the target language and culture by travelling abroad. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities to practice, hear and read in the target language that you have been studying so far. Avoid the temptation to use your mother tongue by staying with a host family, making friends with locals and minimizing time spent with co-nationals if possible in order to experience true immersion in the target language.