You will want to learn to speak Spanish fluently whether you need to know the language for your job or for your vacation. If your employer advertises that Spanish is spoken at the business, customers will expect to be waited on by someone with excellent speech skills. On a vacation, it is easier to go where you want to go and get what you want to get if you know the language well. There are five major steps:

Step one is to find a Spanish program. You can learn through universities, community education programs, or online courses. Check out all the courses and find one that will suit your learning style and schedule. Make sure that the program offers a variety of common Spanish phrases, a large vocabulary, and gives you a good understanding of both.

Step two is to do the lessons in the Spanish program you have selected. You will usually be taught by hearing and seeing the language. As you go through each lesson, you will be asked to repeat words and phrases. When doing so, think about the meaning of the words as well as the sounds of the new words.

Step three, then, is to listen carefully. You can learn if you focus on the rhythms and accents of the language. You will notice that many Spanish words seem similar to English words. Sometimes they do have similar meanings. However, they are usually pronounced differently, with different accents and possibly some different letter sounds. Notice how the written word compares to the Spanish word spoken. To learn to speak Spanish fluently, you have to let go of your habits of sounding out words according to English language rules.

Step four is to practice. Just going over the words and phrases countless times will help you develop as a Spanish speaker. You will improve as the sounds of the language become familiar to you. As time progresses, the words will become so natural to you that you will not feel awkward speaking this new language at all.

Step five is related to step four; it is to get a partner. You will need someone with whom you can speak directly, whether it is through an Internet or land line phone connection or in person. You need to be able to hear each other's words so that together you can learn to speak Spanish fluently. Find interested people through Spanish classes, message boards, or community centers. You might even find someone who works with you who also wants to learn.

Spanish is not an extremely difficult language to master. However, it does take dedication and practice. Go through these five steps and you will be speaking Spanish like a native speaker soon.