Whether you're a beginner or somebody trying to perfect your handle on the English language, taking a class is common sense. Much learning of a new language, however, happens outside of the classroom. Here are ways besides classwork to improve your English.

Be consistent. Learning a new language takes practice, so spend at least an hour every day going over vocabulary, grammar rules or speaking practice.

Take advantage of your local library. In many areas, libraries have their own ESL (English as a Second Language) center. If yours does not, ask the librarian for books, CDs and DVDs to learn English. Many libraries have groups that meet for speaking practice or lectures you can attend to perfect your listening skills.

Read as much as possible. Instead of concentrating only on books, which may be too difficult and tiresome at the beginning, practice reading things you encounter in everyday life, such as traffic signs, boxes of cereal or toothpaste, advertisements, and booklets or brochures.

Use the Internet. Practice reading blogs and Web sites, join forums and chat rooms, find penpals and listen to songs or watch films in English. There are also numerous free sites that offer grammar lessons, podcasts for listening practice and quizzes to help you test how well you're progressing. (See Resources.)

Surround yourself with English as much as possible. Interact with native speakers as often as you can. Practice watching films with the caption feature turned on, so you can connect the sound with written words. Find the lyrics to a song online and sing along.