The first things is consistency and commitment which Is the brain behind learning anything good with a lot of practice like you did in watching the TV show, learning any language require a lot of engagement in conversation with the native speaker after one might have passed through the first stage of learning the alphabet.

My feeling frequently goes from We're learning so much! back to This is so hard! Will it ever get easier?

Yes, that is always the case whenever we are learning anything not only the language, we think that we it ever be easier, absolutely it will be easier once will keep on to the process and determined to stay focused no matter how it seems to be tiring. Understanding this we won't have problem over anything through learning.

People opted out of the process because they aren't committed and determined and forget that learning will always be process and stages is required.

Engaging in conversation with the native speaker will always be the best at the stage, make mistakes and stand firm to learn to move forward. Success is yours always.