Carry A Dictionary

One of the handiest things a beginning or intermediate foreign language learner can have is a pocket dictionary from English to your target language. Most bookstores have them. Get a pocket dictionary and as you go about your daily routine, look for things that you might hypothetically want to talk about to someone in your new language. Look up the words you would need to do so (it's usually more effective to do so on the spot if circumstances allow) and write them down for later review. Practice using the words in sentences. This fun little exercise helps guide your language study so it's relevant to your interests and helps keep you focused.