I know everyone has different styles in which they learn best; I think with language there are a few similarities between people, though. I studied spanish for many years yet when Costa Rican students would visit my school for three weeks every year, there was no period of time parallel to the solid learning that would take place then. The same was true in college with Turkish! I would learn words and phrases in class and such knowledge was only solidified in my mind through hearing my turkish friends pronounce the words and use them in conversation with them.
I find knowing the exact spelling and pronunciation invaluable. After that, engaging native or more knowledgeable speakers of the language is the crazy glue of remembering it, in my experience.
buena suerte, bol cans, bonne chance
and happy journeys.