My 3 rules for learning a foreign language (for what they're worth):
1) Make a fool of yourself regularly. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself when you do. It will be clear to everyone that you are learning anyway. Students too proud to look silly are at a huge disadvantage.
2) Be proud of your mistakes. This one is not so obvious. It means to make your mistakes clearly, slowly and as well articulated as you can. If you make a mistake, there should be no doubt that you made a mistake. This will predispose others to correct you. Also, if they can understand what you are saying, even when wrong, it will predispose them to talk with you. Nobody wants to speak to someone mumbling unintelligibly under their breath, or talking so fast they can't understand. They will smile, nod their head, then walk away at the first opportunity.
3) Have fun. Language can be such an engaging form of play. Find a way to learn by doing things you enjoy. If you learn how to talk about fishing, cooking, football, or whatever, then you can then learn to talk about other things as well.
Good luck.