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Learning a language on your own doesn't work for everybody so at least some formal instruction is desirable. The following are some tools that will help round out your learning experience whatever it may be.

Internet - the internet has to be the single biggest change to learning a new language. It is an excellent learning tool and it is free. Seek out chat rooms in your new language, even if only to observe. Of course participating you will learn more. Don't be afraid to let others in the chat know you are learning their language - they will be eager to help. Accept suggestions as advice, not as criticism. is a site that I recommend highly.

CD/DVD based software - there are many excellent programs out there for learning most languages, they are worth checking out.

Video - Watch films on DVD in the new language. If necessary watch 2 or more times, first audio only and try to get the general idea, second audio and subtitles in that language, to catch what you missed. NEVER USE SUBTITLES IN YOUR MOTHER TONGUE!

Music - Great for learning and training your listening skills. Try to write and/or sing the lyrics as you hear them. Listen several times to the same piece of music. The pace of music is somewhere between reading which is slow and bores some people and conversation which can be so quick that you simply don't understand anything. This will gradually build your listening skills to normal conversation speeds.

Reading - Read short articles in the new language and translate them. Newspapers, magazines, anything that works for you.

Use the language constantly - Listen to people as much as you can, participate in simple conversations, talk, talk, talk. The more you immerse yourself in the language the faster you will grow in the language.