[Ben Chad]

I've met people who studied 4 years of Spanish not be able to converse in that language in Mexico at all --- they may have all the rules of grammar down but they don't understand the spoken language -- and that includes slang and expressions they won't teach you.

That's absolutely depressing because I am starting my 4th semester of Spanish and stuggle mightily with listening comprehension of native speakers. I'm worse at speaking. But I do well on grammar and vocab tests. For dummies like me, it will take several years to become halfway fluent.

[FITZ]

Take a semester and go to Madrid or some place in Mexico or South America --- just jump in and you'll learn it fast. There's something about having to ask for food and basic necessities that gets you learning. Get on a bus with not a single American to talk with and you'll find yourself chatting away with the locals.