Massive Input before you speak

http://thelinguist.blogs.com/how_to_learn_english_and/2008/08/first-understan.html

This is an article from Steve Kaufmann, the linguist of Lingq. To sum up his approach - massive Input of the language you want to learn. The Output comes later. Basically, he says you won't be able to properly or easily produce original spoken material in the language until you have a large and varied vocabulary, which can only be obtained with lots of input, mostly from reading.

I agree with (and to a certain extent, use) Steves approach with one caveat - if you have the time! You need lots of time to absorb all that material. If you don't have the time, complete immersion is probably the only way to go, but it can be ugly and difficult.

Steves approach is cozy, even enjoyable, something learning a language ought to be. Lingq is a site Steve put together in order to help people use this system of his. It is free to use. Give it a shot, you may find that it suits you.