What every language learner should know

A language class is different from other classes.  

To progress and really get good at your chosen language,

you need as much exposure to language you understand as possible, in and outside of class.  Think how long it took for you to say your first words in your first language and how much exposure you had growing up.  We don't have hundreds of hours in class,  but you can help by doing these at home:  Listen to songs, read, watch movies in your new language with English subtitles, watch Youtube videos, speak to your classmates in your new language...  I encourage you to borrow books from the classroom library.

All of this will help you get to a point where all the time and effort you put in translates into fluency!