Anyone ever self taught themselves a new language?

If so any tips on decent ways to do it. I have been trying to learn German for the past month as I have heaps of free time at home and at work. I found a website (duolingo). Its definitely made my reading come on leaps and bounds but I need to learn to speak it,

Amazing the similarities to English

Any ideas on books. Like Rossetta Stone or fitever or anything that would help?

Danke fur die hilfe