Steve was on TED.com?! I love that site. Did he do a talk or leave a comment there or something?
Anyway, I hope your French picks up. Let us know how you’re doing. I think learning is like exercise: you have to “train” your language-learning muscle consistently by regularly giving it challenges to overcome. Like exercise though, it’s important not to overload yourself or take on too much because you won’t get the results you want if you try to run before you can walk.
I’m in awe of Steve’s eleven languages and believe him when he says you have to learn like a child: by focusing on things that are relevant and meaningful to you to build up your vocabulary.
Are there any conversation classes you can attend? Good luck, it must feel very isolating living in a country where you don’t speak the language.