You've bought the language learning kit, and have begun to study it carefully. It will, no doubt, contain all that you will need eventually to become a passable speaker of the language. But there are things you can do which will really help you to make more rapid progress. And they will not necessarily be mentioned in the teach yourself materials.

Yes, it will have a CD with lots of interactive work and listening materials. And the first tip is: listen to it carefully. And listen to each section many times. Stop the CD and repeat what has just been said. Then play that bit again and really listen to see if you got it right. Remember, no-one speaks as slowly as this has been recorded and the horrendous experience of thinking you know a language and then finding that everyone is speaking too fast is common.

But more than that. Buy yourself two notebooks: one for doing the exercises in, so you can look back and check yourself from time to time, and a second, smaller book for vocabulary learned and all the verb stuff that will be fairly complicated. The simple effect of rewriting new verb forms and tenses down, in full, is a real help to the memory. Keep the vocabulary well-organised in alphabetical order, and try to go through several letters a day. You do not have to spend whole chunks of time on this; it is enough to give it several five-minute visits each day to help fix the new words.

Keep an eye out for those words which look just like English, but mean something completely different. They are not actually built in specially to trap the learner, but they certainly do. Give special attention to those sneaky words, and make sure you never make a total idiot of yourself by getting them wrong. The native speakers are not prowling around waiting for you to fall into their trap, but they will find it funny when you do. (Or they may find you incomprehensible - and that's probably worse!)

And try to find someone else who speaks the language who will be patient and help you to practise speaking it. In the case of European languages, like French, Italian, German and Spanish there is sure to be someone around who would love to help you. If you absolutely insist on learning a language like Mongolian - fine - but don't expect to find too many native speakers just round the corner.

And, when you have finished, say the first book, and should feel able to visit the country and have some success in expressing yourself, look around for a class for improvers and sign on. At this level you will not find too many differences between the ability of each student, and will no longer be afraid of either making a fool of yourself or looking like a show-off. An extra language is a boon - two or three make you feel really wordily-wise, and learning is good for the mind. Japanese research has shown that people who learn a new language do no end of good to their brain.

So enjoy the brain work-out, go over everything several times, and study somewhere that you can speak it out loud without being carried off to the hospital screaming in a white jacket. It's not talking to yourself when you're learning a language, it's practical learning, and absolutely essential if you want to get it right. Good luck with the studying and don't forget it's not just for learning. Go speak it in the country it comes from. My current aim, despite the current flu problem, is Mexico, so I am learning South American Spanish. I'm having such fun - and now have met some visitors to my home town who are happy to speak to me in their language. They tell me I'm getting on well. I hope they're not just being polite!

I am Dianna Moylan, in my mid-sixties, an ex-teacher who has been involved for many years in local amateur dramatics.I teach some piano at home and have a couple of friends who are learning French with my help. I speak French, Greek and know Latin. My current learning experiences are Latin American Spanish, and how to build a website.
I have directed, designed and made costumes, taught the songs and performed in many musicals and plays. I live in a small house which is rapidly becoming swamped with doll house stuff which I build, renovate, sell and hoard. i havae two grand-daughters who are lots of fun and who share my dolls' house interests.

My newest venture is into the beauty business and my new site: http://www.youcanbeslim.diannamoylan.com is aimed at women who have spent all their lives trying and failing to lose weight. I have at last succeeded in developing a new relationship with food and am delighted at how much better I feel and slimmer I look. I also use and sell aloe vera products and am so busy it makes observers feel tired.