Learn the basics of Spanish it will set you up.
Of course you can always take a community course on learning Spanish but there are lots of other ways you can learn, or improve your Spanish speaking skills.
If you have some grasp of the language put it to use by subscribing to Spanish newspapers of magazines. Most publications are written at the level of sixth grade reading so it shouldn't be too hard to grasp at least some of the meaning. If you have a English – Spanish dictionary by your side so much the better. Major news stands often have a variety of Spanish language publications. You can buy an assortment and then decide which are the most interesting to you.
Listen to Spanish radio. Just about every major city in the U.S. has at least one Spanish station. Listening, even if you don't understand everything that is being said, will get you used to the cadence and rhythm of the Spanish language. After awhile you may be surprised to find that you understand more and more every time you tune in.
Make it a point to speak Spanish at least once every day. Have a conversation with yourself if there isn't anybody else around. Discuss the weather, your lunch, or where you plan on going in the evening. Make sure you say the words out loud and not just in your head. You can also tape record your conversations so you can hear how you really sound, not just how you think you sound. Because we hear our own words vibrating through our head and our chest we don't hear ourselves as others do. If you have a Spanish language tape you can compare how you sound to how the instructor sounds.
Find a buddy who is also learning Spanish and practice with him or her on a daily basis. If you're not next door neighbors use the phone or use email. Try to keep the focus on expanding your language skills, not just repeating to each other what you already know.
Join a Spanish speaking discussion group on Yahoo or Google. You'll get lots of practice reading Spanish in a real life – well almost real life – setting. Start a learn-to- speak-Spanish, or practice-your-Spanish group yourself. Even if you have only a handful of members you'll probably find yourself posting away.
Rent Spanish language movies, some come with English subtitles. Or watch a movie that you already know on a Spanish language TV station. You can find books you're familiar with in English translated into Spanish. You can also find Audio books in Spanish.
Go on amazon.com and order some Spanish comic books or graphic novels. The drawings will help your understanding of the language.
Vacationing in a Spanish speaking country.
The trip itself will motivate you to practice your Spanish and you'll get a chance to hear natives speaking and to talk with them. Don't let the fact that you're learning Spanish deter you from speaking with the residents. Most people are friendly and will appreciate the fact that you're at least trying to communicate with them in their language. You may be surprised that many of them will help you with your Spanish.
Pablo Conway has learnt his Spanish through some of the above ideas. Do not be afraid of making mistakes, it is through making these mistakes that we remember the correct way to speak Spanish.
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