I totally agree. If all you care about is to learn the language, just write code. Don't worry about all the other things that you may want to do. Just to Add on

I totally agree. If all you care about is to learn the language, just write code. Don't worry about all the other things that you may want to do. Just to Add on to it: If you want to learn python, don't start with django. If you want to learn javascript, use simple libraries like jquery. Basically start simple. My usual technique is to get the most basic knowledge about the language or a framework and then spend time building something (simple todo app, a wiki etc) and learn more about it in the process. I rarely start with a book. I try to find a succinct tutorial so I an read it quick, and start on building simple apps.