Any difference between the Spanish we are learning here and the way we speak?
Is there any difference between the Spanish we are learning here and the way we speak?
In English we learn e.g: Hi, how are you? but when we speak, we just say Hey, what's up?
So, how about in Spanish, is it the same or different? 
3 Answers
Shobna, in just about any mainstream language there are recognized differences between "formal" speech, "academic" speech, "informal speech", "slang", and dialects. This is not unique of English.
The lessons in this site will teach you mostly academically correct Spanish, the kind that will get you by in just about any place where Spanish is spoken.
Some of the posts and discussions in the Forum will teach some some idioms and slang. You can do a search and look and the many threads that are posted in the Forum, and you will be able to get an idea.
This is a good question.
As Gekko says, the Spanish you learn from this site, books, CD lessons, etc. will teach you a Spanish that will allow you to communicate anywhere Spanish is spoken.
It is when you start talking to natives, watching movies, and listening to the radio that you will notice the colloquialisms, idioms, and sometimes slang.
The main thing that I noticed with many natives is that they often drop the "s" and blend in the "d" in some words. "¿Cómo estás?" becomes "¿Cómo tá?" and "Cuidado" becomes "Cuida'o."
Nevertheless, by learning (and practicing) proper, correct Spanish you will almost always know what they are saying. The words that you don't understand -- Just ask and they will be happy to explain!
As one who would say "Hi, how are you?" much more often than "Hey, what's up?" (and never "wassup?"), I would guess that the answer depends on how educated/formal you usual speech is.
