A good way to learning Languages fast

is to learn to read blogs in other languages like this one, quickly Esther's Kitchen

Culinary blogs have an in-built test in them if you are trying the recipes. A pity German cuisine is rather bland. I've come across a learning guide that's supposed to take only a few weeks.

When I was in school we used flash cards one term. My German went from comme-ci comme-ca to top of the class. But the subject matter was mostly tourist fare, more often never tried again. Pity.