The key to learning a new language is using the new language - and living with the new language. It's one thing to learn it through Rosetta Stone or in the classroom, but until you immerse yourself with a new language, you'll only pick up bits and pieces and soon forget. I grew up around Mexicans and spoke Spanish, but I forgot a lot when I moved from Arizona. I learned French in college and spoke it...for awhile and then forgot it. I lived in Italy for awhile and learned Italian (knowing Spanish and French really helped), but after I moved away, I forgot it. If I don't think about it and somebody catches me off-guard, I can converse with them for awhile and then it fades away. I think it's because we are accustomed to doing the xxx-to-English and English-to-xxx translations in our head, when we should just communicate in one language.

I know my next language is Russian - I married a Russian, so I have to learn it eventually. She came to this country about 10 years ago and learned English (took her about two years). Now she speaks both languages fluently. Her parents don't speak English, but I manage to hold a conversation with them. I find it's more than just words, it's also body language, emphasis, and the context of the conversation. I know one thing that I won't understand as an American is how Russians speak with passion, there are loud and forceful one minute and then quiet the next. Americans don't speak with a passion.