How To Learn A New Language

ever considered learning a language?  I know i have on some occasions.  Latterly I was starting to plot a trip to China and I carefully considered learning the Chinese language.  A similar thing happened 1 or 2 years back when I was thinking about going to France for half a year.  that trip fell thru and I stayed home instead. 
 
Research has become so way easier these days thanks to the web.  I just type into Google what I want and back come the answers.  Yesterday I started searching for a good learn a language course so I could start to learn Chinese.  After reading various reviews and feedback from other students, I'm seriously considering the Rocket Chinese course. 
 
Rocket have many language courses and they all seem to be highly regarded.  I liked the Rocket Chinese review and also the Rocket German review.  I've got a secret wish to visit Germany one day also.  It would be great to be ready to get around like a local talking and understanding the language. 
 
Being a shy sort of person, I prefer to learn at my pace from home.  These courses are superb for that purpose.  Also, they teach me the conversational skills of the language which I know will give me more confidence when I visit the country.  I also try to watch films in the language I am learning to help buttress what the lessons have taught me. 
 
I plan to buy Rocket Chinese tomorrow as i want to visit China in 6 months time.  After I have achieved that, I will most likely learn German next.  I can't wait to learn a new language and then put it into practice with the locals.