the teacher cannot learn it for you...

Over time I have compiled a few basics for being successful at a language:
1) You have to be motivated and have some goal, whether big or small.
2) 90% or more is your own work and effort...you have to do homework, and then some
3) You have to practice listening as much as you can on your own (BBC, CNN, dramas, whatever)
4) When in class, you have to speak without hesitation (umm, try telling this to my ex-AEON students who paid 50USD/50minutes to stand like a pretty wallflower! So often I wanted to tell them to stop wasting their money)
5) Accept making mistakes - take notes when one is made and if you make it again, just make notes again until you get it!
6) Find something interesting (for me, it is food...so I read recipes)
7) Don't count on your teacher to 'learn it for you'
8) Going to class once a week is not enough. Studying on a daily basis is key.
9) Have patience and make time.
10) Keep at it...practice makes perfect!

The most successful students of mine take various lessons - from me, other teachers, other schools, the internet, and more. They take advantage of all resources and use the chance with me to practice conversation and correct/polish up grammar. Each teacher has different assets and knowledge which is also great...though one must be careful not to get a teacher who is all talk and not at all interested in what the students have to say! (I have met quite a few of those in my day)