I'll give you a different answer. Not the answer, but what worked for me in 2010. It's harder to do this now, because of the playerbase, but it will train you faster than anything else if you're the sort that's alright with taking punishment.
Go 1h/no shield (alternatively, use a shield when ranged attack and put it away for melee) /light armor. This forces you to learn everything about melee fundamentals, from timing to blocking because everyone else will have an advantage. You'll have to be three times as attentive, patient, and smart.
But you will learn to be better if you stick with it. Every now and then, get on a 2h/polearm STF and you'll notice that the habits you learn as a 1h/no shield make you much, much better in those other classes. You may still lose a lot in your main, though. That's fine, so long as you learn from your losses.
Remember, the beauty of this game is simple: in Melee 1 on 1, you always die because of a mistake you made. Keep that in mind every time you get hit.
Edit: somehow, I missed Shatter's post, so the tl;dr is LISTEN TO SHATTER.
