Study Little Often

It is obvious advice but you really need to study a little bit, frequently. Thirty minutes a day will set you up for a good foundation in any language. While using huitalk try to do 15 to 20 minutes of study, such as grammar and vocabulary and then try to use what you have learned in a conversation with another member. Just ten minutes conversation daily will make a huge difference.

Revision

It is important to review what you have already studied. While talking to your language exchange partner make note of new vocabulary and how it is used. Ask them for examples and use these in your revision. It will mean much more to you if your partner has given you an example during you conversations.

Do Not Run before You Can Walk

Take your studies slowly. Do not try to learn too much in one go. All you will do is forget as much as you try to remember. Make sure you really understand something before you move on and it is more likely to stay in your memory longer.

Targets

It is important not to expect too much. Each day set yourself small, achievable targets and make sure you meet them. If you find you are not meeting your targets then perhaps your targets are too high and you should reduce them. There is nothing worse than having a goal and not reaching it. Learn five new words a day or talk to one new person on huitalk for 5 minutes.

Look for Partners with Similar Interests

When you are looking for a language exchange partner try and find someone with similar interests. If you do not have anything to talk about then it can be difficult to improve because you stay on the same basic topics.

Do Not Expect to Feel Progress all the Time

All advanced language learners will tell you that there are times when you just do not seem to be making any progress. They will also tell you not to worry and you are making progress. Sometimes you will go as long as a month or two thinking that nothing is improving but then suddenly one day you will find you can understand much more or your writing is much more confident. Progress is happening all the time, sometimes you just can not see it.

Make as Many Mistakes as You Can

The only way we can learn is by making mistakes. If you make mistakes then you can learn from them. Expecting to understand something as complex as a language just from a book is not good. You need to try using your knowledge and then taking on board the advice of your language exchange partners. There is no need to be embarrassed, we all make mistakes.

Enjoy yourself

If you are not enjoying it then something is going wrong. Try changing your study methods, talk to a variety of different people and use different books and materials. There will be hard times but keep going and you will be successful.