CHOOSE WISELY Pick a language you feel passionate about if you look at learning as a chore, fluency will take forever. TALK UP A STORM Speak the language as much as you can, inside and outside class, no matter your level of skill. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or look ridiculous. NOBODY'S PERFECT It's okay to speak English once in a while nobody's perfect. IMMERSE THYSELF A good teacher should focus on pronunciation and listening, preferably in a total-immersion environment. (Make sure you can get a refund if this isn't what you find.) HOW TO PLAY HOOKY Learning at the University of the Streets is doable but it never hurts to have a solid classroom background.