I learned to be fluent by listening. I'm forever stressing that. In my opinion, everyone should be thinking "I want to understand spoken spanish" as opposed to "I want to speak spanish." Anyone can speak spanish...I can have you speaking spanish in about a half hour, but that doesn't mean you'll understand people when they respond to you. My first years learning spanish I was too afraid to even open my mouth around the people who were speaking, so I chose to listen instead. I learned very quickly in that way. After, when I knew I understood what was being said, then I tried to speak.

There are several threads on this topic, so you might want to check those out when you get a chance.

I have learned a lot from friends I have made in Latin America. I would suggest that if you have made any friends there, that you communicate with them regularly. Since you are getting the hang of hearing Spanish, ask you friends to send you emails or any written communications (minus text chat or computer lingo), so you can improve your reading and spelling skills.Explain what you are trying to accomplish and I'm sure someone will be able to help you. As far as speaking, you will also need the help of someone who will correct you when you mispronounce anything. Also, think and talk to yourself in Spanish throughout the day. It sounds crazy, but it does work.

You will need to spend some focused, organized time working on your weaknesses. Since you are new to the site, I would suggest starting the Learn Spanish Videos that are offered for free. They are excellent and most people on this site, including myself, insist they work better than Rosetta Stone and some of the other more popular educational tools.

There are plenty of people here who are fluent, who can answer questions you have 24 hours a day.

¡Buena Suerte!

Nicole