Learning Spanish begins with self-assessment. Test your current Spanish language knowledge with online evaluations to see where to begin your education. (See Reference 1.) Do not study for this initial evaluation. Be honest with your abilities to build a solid educational foundation.
Gather Spanish-language resources from your local library and online. Study a collegiate-level beginning Spanish primer like "Puntos de Partida" or "Vistas." Dictionaries should have both English to Spanish and Spanish to English conversions and offer translations of common questions and phrases. Free online translation sites are a convenient reference tool, but results should be verified with a dictionary. (See Reference 2.)
Establish a learning schedule. Set aside an hour each day to learn Spanish, as you would if attending a formal class. Study in a quiet room without any distractions. Instruct family members to respect this learning time. Fully commit to learning the language.
Build your knowledge by taking lessons. Study conversational, vocabulary and video tutorials online. (See References 3 and 4.) Take notes and create vocabulary and verb conjugation flash cards for further review. Take advantage of tutoring sites with free introductory lessons or free lessons for referrals. (See Reference 5.)
Though learning a language in correspondence format is an excellent start, there is no greater resource than a native speaker. Ask a friend, family member or coworker to help you practice. Additionally, consider bartering for Spanish lessons by posting an ad on a college message board.
Spanish is learned through repetition. Continue to review old lessons, vocabulary lists and flash cards even after proficiency is achieved. Learning a foreign language is a lifelong commitment. Speak Spanish daily to maintain a working knowledge.