[jimbokun]

> spend time in a country where the language is spoken and force themselves into situations where they "have" to speak, etc.

In the end this is the only one that matters.

You can do things before going to that country that will help. But you'll never be close to fluent without taking that final step.

[amatecha]

For real. My French always skyrockets every time I take any vacation to France, even for a week. After just one day I'm back to being able to understand a lot of what people are saying and respond pretty comfortably. It's also surprising how quickly the words come back to me after having been away for a year or whatever, with minimal practice between.

[qingcharles]

Same. I need to practice more when I'm outside the country. I remember last time I'd just arrived in Brussels and got a snack at a cafe and had to check on my phone how to ask for the bill. I feel like a dummy for the first day or so until everything unlocks.

[HankStallone]

My high school French teacher said if we really wanted to learn a language, go live there for a couple months.

Of course, that's easier said than done (and paid for). But if you can afford the money and time away from home, it's probably the way to go.

[Antibabelic]

I've never been to an English-speaking country and yet I'm pretty close to fluent. How come?

[lm28469]

English is relatively easy and the default "culture" (games, music, movies, shows, internet, &c.) language for like half of the planet, plus it's mandatory in schools in most of the west.

[Antibabelic]

Many people throughout the world certainly do not find it "easy".

[lm28469]

Yeah that would be the other half of the planet I mention in my comment.