I like Benny Lewis's approach to learning a new language (he has some cool posts and materials on his ideas): Find ways to speak from day one. Write out the reasons why you want to learn the language and post them somewhere you can see Use italki and translator sites to come up with vocabulary specific to you.

Also, here is a good podcast featuring Benny Lewis and his strategies for learning a language: http://www.becomingasuperhuman.com/benny-lewis-how-to-learn-a-language-fast/?utm_campaign=email&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email