technique-wise: most Indo European languages will have some patterns to verbal conjugation. Learn how to conjugate 10-20 verbs for various actors (I, you(formal

technique-wise: most Indo European languages will have some patterns to verbal conjugation. Learn how to conjugate 10-20 verbs for various actors (I, you(formal, informal) he, she, they, etc) in the present tense. Learn a couple easy "cheater" ways to do past and future tense. Learn 10-20 adjectives, which are possibly forms of similar words you already know from other languages. Start conversing, even poorly, but make a point to avoid fellow speakers of the language you are trying to avoid being stuck in. (in my case, it was about avoiding people who speak and like to speak english, and trying to speak the local language wherever possible instead.) I would go and plop myself in the middle of social situations where it was necessary to converse and where it flowed easily (often aided by coffee or alcohol lol...)