Tips on continuing Spanish
I have been trying to learn Spanish for years. I always blamed life getting in the way when I stopped my studies, but that was an excuse.
I think I have identified my problem. I get bored. Many of the stories in my work books talk about love, shoes, shopping--and sometimes have irritating sexist viewpoints that are supposed to be funny...but when I'm being introduced to a culture, that isn't the first thing I want to be presented with.
So, my question is, what ways do you all find that help you keep your interest in learning? I really would like to learn it, because I am hoping to enhance my job skills. I'm hoping that will be a good incentive this time. I'm open to all suggestions--whether it is games, sticky notes, movies, etc. I would like a variety of techniques.
11 Answers
The expensive option: travel. When I go to Mexico I am motivated to learn more Spanish and attempt to use it, even though most of the people I deal with speak English. They appreciate that I try and are usually happy to indulge my ineptness.
Since you live in Florida a less expensive option may be to frequent some of the authentic stores and restaurants that cater to the Cuban and Mexican populations.
Try to find a friend/coworker/aquaintance that is a native speaker, and make a habit of practicing Spanish with them.
I know of one manager in my company that was sent to Germany and he told all of his employees there, "Only speak German to me." That was instant immersion, but he learned German.
I really like Alice's answer. My own method is quite similar to hers. As a matter of fact, I am reading La Historia Interminable (The Neverending Story). I also agree that the lessons on this site are excellent and the forum is a great place to practice what we are learning.
In my opinion, the most important thing is that the learning process be enjoyable. If you are not enjoying your current method, then change to a method you do enjoy. Your enjoyment of that method will be the motivation.
Judging by your question, I'd say you are already on the road to success.
Good luck and happy learning! 
Hi Matron. Here's my suggestion...
Find a friendly and patient native speaker. (I used to take private lessons with a retired woman from Spain who lives in my city. £15 per hour-and-a-half (about $22)). The rewards are instant because it's all face-to-face. You may not know all those conjugations or the subjunctive but don't worry - this is real world communication. You'll get instant feedback.
If you can't find a teacher then offer to pay a native speaker to be patient with you for an hour (or offer to paint his fence in return )
You might make some great friends..... 
Hope it goes well for you
Saludos
I try and learn spanish with a friend and we have great fun trying to converse with each other.
I am also trying to learn Spanish, partly for my job. I love the lessons here and am learning more from them than from my high school spanish lessons. I haven't gotten bored with the lessons but wanted more variety in my lessons. I bought The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in Spanish and am reading it. It is improving my reading comprehension significantly. My vocabulary is improving because I make up flashcards for the words in the book that I don't know. After each chapter, I write answers in Spanish to questions I invent to improve my writing. I also plan to buy the book on CD (in Spanish) to improve my listening skills. I also read parts of the book out loud to practice my speaking. You can find almost any book in Spanish, it just depends on what you like to read.
Of course, traveling and being immersed is the best and most interesting way...
Otherwise, try reading some interesting spanish novels, or maybe a regular english novel that was translated into spanish. You can also listen to spanish radio, watch movies in spanish (originally spanish or translated), and TV.
I think one good idea is to find a friend that's also learning spanish so you can practice/learn together. Also, a friend that's fluent in spanish can make trying spanish more interesting.
Workbooks are great to get the formulaic methods of spanish down, but involving YOURSELF in the language in one of the ways mentioned above will more often than not be more interesting.
Hope that helps!
¡Muchos gracias!
I have to admit, I feel more enthusiasm when I am surrounded by nice people like all of you!
The only thing I'm worrying about at the moment is that I'm taking a medical coding course. Initially, I stopped learning Spanish because I thought I would need all my brain cells for this course--which has anatomy, physiology, and phlebotomy. However, I think I can devote some time to Spanish.
The only problem is that I am having horrible school anxiety that is giving me nightmares. I already have medical diagrams chasing me in dreams with James Earl Jones' voice labeling the parts of them. Hopefully, adding Spanish won't drive me over the brink...but I really would like to learn it, because it is a very good job skill to have where I live.
I'm still open to any suggestions, though. I'm just thanking those who have responded so far. It doesn't mean the topic is closed.
Here are couple of things that have helped me and that no one has mentioned:
I enjoy picking up the local Spanish language newspaper and trying to read the stories. I also like to follow recipes in Spanish (gives me practice with commands and vocabulary, and I've made some interesting dishes).
Well I want to be able to chat up Heidita, Nila and Benz. (Oops, does that sound sexist?)
P.S. (specifically for Benz), "Os he nombrado en orden geográfica (del norte al sur).
You have to trick your brain. A good trick is to get some audio lessons and listen to one as soon as you wake up. Your brain won't be awake enough to be bored. You can get through all of Pimsleur in 3 months that way. Switch up everything that you do. Books are really boring to read but audio lessons are a bit better. Do our lessons which are pretty fun, and check out our chatroom.
A local reporter and our national hero are the ones who inspired me to learn spanish and when I found out that Spanish language will be taught again in our country that made me more inspired and motivated to learn the language. I'm so proud to be a member of this wonderful spanish learning community.
