Memorize vocabulary and down the line do grammar or the other way around or ? or ? I know a bunch of words but can't speak a sentence or follow a conversation! How do others learn English so quickly and well yet Americans have such a hard time learning a new language - is it the method used?
I pay someone native in the language to teach me, but we have no method, learn a few words here and there and i don't know best way to study.

Get a program called Rosetta Stone. It is a wonderful tool for learning foreign languages.

You start out with common expressions and grammar but that's only a framework for starting to learn. It helps to read written prose and hear it spoken. Then you'll learn what words really mean (not just what they kinda translate to in English) and you'll learn how they relate to other words. You'll also learn not just how to pronounce individual words but how to string them together in sentences the way native speakers do.

I think the best way to learn a new language is to just talk. I am trying to teach myself Spanish. Its a little confusing on where to start. I have two native speakers at my work. I just try and talk to them in Spanish. They correct my grammar and vocab as I make mistakes (which is very often). It is great when you have someone willing to help you.

Dedication.

Here Are Couple of sites that I like