I've taken this approach while learning polish, which is the first language of my partner's parents. I started three years ago, and the first tactical decision

I've taken this approach while learning polish, which is the first language of my partner's parents. I started three years ago, and the first tactical decision I made was to take classes - not for the sake of being taught, but for the accountability that comes from having to regularly attend and do homework for a class. I also decided to not obsess over my progress or speed, and have been content taking a few years to learn what some people manage to do in six months of hard study. I figure it takes children 5-6 years to get any good, and they are effectively studying a language full time with seemingly much higher stakes (e.g. the necessity of communicating that you don't want broccoli for dinner).