Thanks for your help! =]

Enrol yourself in a class taught by an Italian native speaker … that's how I learned.

Then, when you've done the basics of grammar, try to read a short, simple novel (with the aid of a dictionary and a notebook), to expand your vocabulary.

Then do lots more reading, writing and speaking, and continue to attend classes regularly and do your homework.

Go on study holidays for 1-2 weeks a year in Italy (there are lots of language schools).

Get a monolingual grammar exercise book written in Italian like "Esercizi" and work your way through all the exercises several times.

Once you're intermediate-to-advanced, install Italian satellite TV (Hotbird 2) – ask your aerial man – five channels free to view! … If you're really determined, cut yourself off from all English-language broadcast media and listen to Italian TV every day.

Enjoy the wonders of Italian cinema available on DVD, without using the subtitles.

Participate in Answers Italia to improve your writing.

And there are a couple of psychological attitudes that are indispensable to second language acquisition …

firstly, determination … think hare and tortoise – don't expect miracles, it takes time, stickability and patience to learn a language successfully, so prepare yourself for a long haul – it's better to do the basics slowly and very thoroughly than rush it like a bull at a gate – and don't trust anything that says "learn Italian in a week" (or three months) on the cover!

secondly, enjoyment … the greatest language learners are children, so while taking your success goal seriously, take the opportunity to regress a bit … the best teachers use role play in class – and never be ashamed to ask dumb questions.