If traditional classroom learning fails you with Japanese, I have a alternative:

-This is to compliment other Japanese studies- be varied, my friend! idea
Go on Nico Douga (One of the biggest sites in Japan):

*Sign up, if not already.
*Click on Nico Douga Live (if you arent familiar with the whole kanji, look for the live kanji)
*View any broadcast and practice typing and listening DIRECTLY to a Japanese native. You will hear and see the same words over and over and will pick it up fast! You can also copy words, so that you can paste somewhere for additional study.

*They are very helpful and will try their best to understand you, but try not to talk completely English. It will ruin the experience (trust me), and most will clam up and say they cannot speak English (most Japanese know English, but are very shy because they are not very confident - but we feel the same way about Japanese so it is pretty natural ^_^ ). You have to allow them to feel comfortable around you.

*This is a good way to also hear the many Japanese dialects as well as slang.

If you can peruse the site with no problem, add me as a friend, Chykara