It is possible for you to learn things at a much faster rate than you are used to.
In this article, we will explore some of the methods used in accelerated learning programs.  Before we begin, some of the terminology we will be using concerning your nervous system and brain states should be defined.

Generally speaking, your nervous system has a tense state and a relaxed state.  Respectively, this is your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. 
When you are rushing to get things done, when you feel under pressure, when you've just had your double espresso, your sympathetic nervous system is engaged.
When you are getting a good massage, relaxing to certain types of music, daydreaming while strolling barefoot at the beach on a warm summer, your parasympathetic nervous system is active.

One way of defining brain states of awareness is by the measuring the electricity the brain is producing. (Yes, you do generate electrical voltage and current, albeit in very small amounts).  These brainwaves repeat themselves in frequencies. Frequencies are measured in waves per second called Hertz (Hz). Depending on their Hz, brainwaves are called beta, alpha, theta, and delta, and you are able to do certain things better while in these different states. 

It is important to remember that these states are relative.  That is, your brain may be generating different frequencies from different parts of the brain simultaneously.  When brainwaves are measured, the measurement reflects an approximation of the dominant brainwave. This is analogous to standing outside of a stadium and listening the roar of the crowd.  Thousands of voices saying many different things and all you hear is the roar. 

Beta (13-30 Hz) is associated with focus.  A brain generating mostly beta it is in what is called its waking rhythm.  Active tasks such as driving and working are done best in a beta state.
Alpha (8-12 Hz) is associated with a calm relaxed state.  Alpha waves originate for the most part from the occipital lobe of the brain.  The occipital lobe is associated with vision. Alpha waves are attenuated with open eyes as well as sleep.
Theta (4-7 Hz) is associated with both sleep and learning. Regions of the brain strongly involved in theta wave production include the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. The hippocampus is actively involved in the production of memory. Theta is most likely the best state for absorbing new information and learning languages.
Delta (0.1-3 Hz) is associated with deep sleep, brain injury, and coma.

Do we see a pattern developing here?  Sympathetic state active, Parasympathetic state relaxed and active to comatose states along the Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta progression is the pattern where we will find the best state(s) of awareness to optimize learning.

Let's find this optimal state figure out how to attain it, and then look at some methods we can use to exploit this state.
From our pattern, we can see how we assimilate new information best in a relaxed state.  However, we cannot be too relaxed or else we will doze off. What does that give us?

Parasympathetic, Alpha, and Theta looks like our best bet. A Parasympathetic state will encourage Alpha and Theta states.  Alternating between Alpha and Theta will let us move up and down in a state that is relaxed enough to facilitate learning but not so relaxed that we will doze off.

Attaining this state is a matter of Patience, Practice, and Persistence.  You need a calm environment to study.  It should feel relatively nurturing to you.  Doing relaxation exercises (There are 1,001 ways to relax.  Find some that you enjoy) on a regular basis will let you slip into a relaxed state quicker and deeper.  Listening to music with a pulse approximating 60 beats a minute can, in turn, cause your heart to beat slower.  Slow heart rates are associated with parasympathetic states.
Now, we can explore a few of the methods employed in accelerated learning.

The information should be in bite sized bits.  That is to say, the information should not be so large that you have to chew on it before you swallow.

The information should come to you at regular timed intervals.  Which intervals work best is unclear.  There are too many variables to determine one best timed interval.  A four beat cycle is thought by some to work well.  That is, information coming at you in four beats, then nothing for four beats, then the next piece of information, then nothing, etc.  The beat can be whatever.  Tenths of a second, half seconds, seconds, etc.

If you only use sound to transmit your information, it should not all be transmitted in the same volume and tone of voice.  Change the volume of sound from normal to loud to soft.  You can also change the emotional tone of the sound.

Lastly, use and review what you have learned.  You need to reinforce the neural pathways you are constructing in your brain.  Please see the article on memory for more information on how this works.