If you already know or are somewhat familiar with other Romance languages, such as French, Italian, Portuguese or even Latin, it will benefit you in learning Spanish. There are many similarities between these languages in terms of vocabulary and grammatical structure. For example, the word "luna" in Spanish is the same in Italian and Latin, "lua" in Portuguese and "lune" in French.
Latin culture is prominent in the media, whether it is through movies and programs in the Spanish language or popular music on Hispanic radio stations. Because of the exposure to the language, you will have a certain familiarity with its sound, which will help you pick up the Spanish language more quickly and easily.
Social interaction with Latin people will not only help you learn and practice your Spanish, it will also give you extra incentive and motivation to improve your abilities to speak it well. If you do not have friends, attend Latin festivals in your community, where you can meet and make friends with Spanish-speaking people.
An excellent way to practice the Spanish language and to learn about the culture is to travel to Spanish-speaking places. Each of the regions will have its own unique cultures and traditions. If you cannot afford going abroad to Spain, there are many Spanish-speaking countries to choose from in Latin America, such as Mexico, Costa Rica or Argentina, to name a few.