If you're choosing a language to learn, then learning Spanish is the right choice. Spanish is spoken more than any other language except English in the U.S., and is among the top 5 spoken languages in the world. If you live in certain states, such as Texas or California, you'll find a lot of Mexicans and Spanish speakers that can help you with your Spanish. By learning Spanish as a second language, you may open up new career or job opportunities.

If you've been floundering with learning grammar and verb tenses, and have had enough of text book learning, you'll be thrilled to know there is another way to gain at least basic fluency in learning Spanish. So, while it's fresh in your mind, here are 7 techniques or secrets that can speed up your learning.

Immerse Yourself. Think of how you learned your native language. You heard it daily, and were among people who spoke the same language. Approach Spanish the same way. Listen to Spanish instructional tapes instead of music CD's in your car. Watch Spanish TV stations if possible. When exercising, walking, or just waiting for appointments, press play on your ipod or CD player, and listen to a Spanish vocabulary tape or an interactive spoken Spanish lesson. Expose yourself, and immerse yourself as much as possible in the Spanish language and culture.

Develop the Right Learning Habits. Get in the habit of listening to Spanish TV or radio. Get in the habit of listening to Spanish when you exercise. Go to Spanish clubs and restaurants when you go for entertainment. Speak Spanish whenever possible. Make use of on-line resources such as language exchanges, where you can partner online and practice speaking with a native speaker who is learning your language.

Learn to Speak Before Reading or Writing. When you learned English, you spoke it first. Listen to lessons with true Spanish speakers, so you know correct pronunciation. Practice your Spanish by copying them. Take every opportunity to practice conversational Spanish, or to listen to Spanish being spoken.

Relate to What You Already Know. Many Spanish words are close to the English, making them easier to remember. For example, English words ending in -tion have the same root as the Spanish, which change the ending to -cion. Examples are ambition = ambicion, description = descripcion, and so on. Here are some other similarities: crema (cream), mucho (much), tomate (tomato) and banco (bank). You'll be delighted to find thousands of these similarities,

Practice Makes Perfect. Take a childlike attitude toward speaking Spanish. Never be embarrassed by mispronunciation. Instead, imitate and practice. If you're not speaking it, you're not learning.

Believe it's Possible. You must believe you can learn. Visualize the successful outcome of learning to speak Spanish. See yourself speaking it clearly in a desirable situation. Map out the steps you need to follow, put them in writing, and take daily consistent action.

Get a Latin Pal. Find a signifigant other - well, not necessarily an amor, perhaps a friend - that's a native of a Spanish speaking country. Preferable someone who speaks little English, so you're forced to listen to and to speak Spanish daily.

Stay focused, stay motivated, keep speaking, and you'll be a fluent and proficient Spanish speaker in no time.

Learning Spanish is a priority for Nicki Goff, as her second home is in Ecuador. Find her favorite online Spanish learning courses at her blog, http://SpanishOnlineNow.com Enjoy the instant audio titles on her website, http://www.hearsaybooks.com, where you have instant access to over 6000 audio titles. Listen while you commute, travel, exercise, or just enjoy any time.