I have a hard time learning on my own, what can I do?

[oTrissa]

I have a hard time retaining what I try and learn on my own. When I was in a classroom I learned language must faster.
I can't afford to go to a class for this, I am hoping I will be able to take a class in college but it might not happen.

I am planning on traveling to Japan either this August or August 2014. I would like to be able to go off on my own and not rely on tour guides, I will be going to main cities but for the most part I would rather be in more rural area's. I know this will have a bigger language problem for my BF and I so I would like to brush up on some basic and conversational Japanese.

What methods would be best for me? The CD / DVD method I am going to try but what methods have worked best with those who have a short attention span? Are the games any good? I don't really care to learn hirigana as much as I would like to speak. (I already know how hirigana works and such)
Are there even any games for the DS that are for speaking and not writing?
I was thinking of buying a book from jbox but they seem a tad boring....

Any suggestions? Thank you.  

[Raven5023]

I would suggest getting a phrase book that comes with a CD that you can listen to (lonely planet is a good one). Other than that, maybe watch anime? Try not to go for fansubbed anime as they are sometimes incorrect.  

[Amyroth]

Here is a list of resources that can really help you learn japanese.
http://mykikitori.com/index.html Listening Practice
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar Grammar Guides
http://thejapanesepage.com/grammar.htm Grammar on Grammar
http://ww8.tiki.ne.jp/~tmath/home/index.htm I don't even remember what this is.
http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/japanese/grammar/#B Possibly the best free online resource for learning grammar. About 80 dollars worth of material that some university put online for anyone to use.
http://www.imabi.net/ Not sure what this is, but it's in my bookmarks and sounds japanese.
http://www.bunka.go.jp/kokugo_nihongo/keigo/ I think this website has lessons in a lot of areas, but I only used this page for honorifics.
http://jgram.org/ More grammar.

If you want more help, you can pm me. I think trying to teach basic japanese would be some good review for me.

Another website you should know of is www.tangorin.com
It's an awesome dictionary.  

[oTrissa]

Raven5023

I would suggest getting a phrase book that comes with a CD that you can listen to (lonely planet is a good one). Other than that, maybe watch anime? Try not to go for fansubbed anime as they are sometimes incorrect.

I spent years watching anime when I was younger and though it helped and I still can recognize some words I don't have the extra time to watch it hoping I pick up what I need to be able to speak. I work, work out and have 2 careers in the works as well as college. I also don't have internet, lmao.