I think you are absolutely right about "being forced to speak it" part but moving to a different country may not always be a practical solution. Some people, myself included, learn foreign language for fun and moving to a different country would just make it an expensive hobby.

One thing I have discovered is there are fun ways to learn a new language even if you are on your own. I am learning french and I love watching movies so every now I then I watch a french movie first with subtitles and then without. Most of the times I miss the words but I am getting familiar with sounds and every time I pick up french for dummies I get more confident.

But you are right. One must spend time with the language one is learning.