I bought RosettaStone Spanish ( Latin America) based largely on your
suggestions. * *I have a lifelong history of being terrible at learning
languges, and was very concerned parting with so much money when I'm such a
dolt.

I'm several lessons into the program ... and there is no certainty of my
success,
BUT,
this is the most powerful approach to learning language I've ever seen. *I'm
progressing and having fun doing so.

One thing about language skills (specifically your second, third, n
language) is use and repetion. Its been 15 years since I've actively
used Hungarian. I used to be at the native speaker, college educated
in the language level. Now I can barely count to 10.
Once you get comfortable, use your television or IPod. Watch Mexican
soap operas or get pod casts of the news. You won't understand
everything, but you'll start picking up the phraseology from context.
It gets easier and easier, and then you'll get to the point where you
realize that you just "thought" in the second language. Its an
incredible feeling. Even having the TV on in the background on the
spanish channels while your doing house work will help. Your brain
will be trying to understand what its hearing and make sense of it.
Granted, its short of an immersion program, but everything helps.
Good luck with the study. My wife picks up language like she spends
money on Lancome products. Piece of cake. I, on the other hand, have
to work my ass off to learn a language. I know I'm not a natural
linquist, just a cunning one.
Frank Reid