> Edit: I'm studying for a private pilot license, and the difficulties in just understanding what the ATC and the other pilots are talking about is really a major stumbling block for me.

FWIW (and this may not be applicable to you, or you may already be doing it) I found that listening to ATC via LiveATC for my home airport during my car commutes really helped me with radio skills.

If you don't commute, I'd still suggest just listening when you're not in a cockpit and don't have to worry about flying.

Listening to specific airports I was familiar with really helped.