[Edited by Neo7, 8/20/2010 9:53:03 AM]

Very basic rule of thumb for all languages: If you're doing a mental, silent translation to English to understand the phrase, you're doing it wrong. Having to translate it first before getting the meaning slows you down A LOT versus understanding it through association of the noun/verb/adjective to the physical object/action/description. Think how you learned your first language; you had no words to associate it with, you gonna have to build it from the ground up and yes you will look like a complete noob until you get the hang of it. This is why most people suggest living in the country of origin when studying the language as it immediately throws it on you with minimal English help. If you cannot live in Korea or some Korean experience, then find a way to limit your resources to English to learn association to direct object/action/description. The Vocabulary step will be the hardest and longest step, but everything gets into motion fast if you can build it up.

After you can do that, start working on grammar and linking ideas into complete thoughts you can write down on paper. Grammar is pretty easy once you get into it.

Last step is pronunciation and fluency. Reading and writing in Korean is one thing, but fluently speaking is a whole different thing. You'll need a Korean buddy to help you practice that. Watching Korean TV and stuff will also help you out as you're being exposed to words in different tones and various speeds and what not.

Fun Fact: If you can, visit Korea. They're usually extremely friendly and open towards most people from North America (though they tend to call anyone from North America that speaks English to be American regardless of whether you live in Canada or somewhere else).