Many language learners I know start off learning the basics from a language software before enrolling in a class where they can have more interaction time. Personally, I find this approach a smart one — it’s like reading up on your textbooks before the semester begins.
Enrolling in a class also nets you another benefit: you end up meeting a bunch of new people interested in the same thing. Even if you enroll for only one course that lasts several weeks, you can make friends there that eventually become resource persons and practice partners for your future language training efforts.
Before class ends, try to bond with some of the classmates you find yourself sharing things in common with. Get to know their goals with regards to the language (are they aiming for fluency or just enough for a 6-month work stint abroad?) and make arrangements for keeping in touch. A lot of students are interested in forming practice groups that meet every week or two. Too often, though, no one speaks up to get things started on that end.
The best way of keeping in touch I’ve seen, especially to get more people involved, is to maintain a group list (like a Yahoo Groups or something similar). From there, the entire class (or, at least those who sign up) can keep in touch, updating each other on what’s going on with their own language efforts. You can also use that to set meetings, deciding on times, places and agendas.
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