It is also possible to learn a language on your own; there are currently a plethora of instructional books and audio tapes on the market. Although this method is difficult for some people, it is also very inexpensive. Assuming that you are learning a spoken language, you should not attempt to learn the language via a book alone; your pronunciation will suffer greatly if you do. However, by using a tape and a book, you can learn a foreign language. Technology savvy people can also take advantage of online classes and computer software now available to help you learn a foreign language.
Because you will not have the structure of a class or the urgency associated with immersion methods, you will need to be extremely self-motivated. If you foresee motivation as becoming a problem, consider asking a friend to learn the language with you. This way, you can encourage each other to progress and maintain a regular schedule. This will also provide you with a conversation partner.
Practice, Practice, Practice
As anyone who studied a foreign language in high school can tell you, it is extremely easy to forget everything you have worked so hard to learn. In order to retain knowledge of a language, you have to use it. Fortunately, this is incredibly easy to do. It can even be fun. Watching movies or playing video games that are in another language is as educational as it is entertaining; videos in foreign languages can be order online. You should also read books, magazines, newspapers, and websites written in the foreign language you learned. And, of course, visiting a country where the foreign language is spoken is ideal.