Most people who have studied the Spanish language would usually be too conscious of learning, understanding and then translating a Spanish sentence or phrase to English word by word. This is one of the most common errors a learner commits because the subtle side to it shows that if each word is translated to English, there will be less misunderstanding. It's really ironic because the often this is practiced, the worse it gets. Word of advice, refrain from this type of learning approach.
What you need to concentrate more on is how a cluster of words appeal to you. By reading Spanish texts or materials and taking note of the words that doesn't make sense to you, improving your vocabulary and general understanding of it becomes easy. It may take you days, weeks and even months to accomplish it but it's worth all the effort. The words or phrases you have taken note of will also help immensely since a quick read of it will trigger cues in to your memory and the correct use or meaning of it will always stick to your mind. The reason? It gives your mind a reason not to make the same mistakes again. Thus, making you learn as you go.
Take advantage of the Spanish advertisement you can easily watch or hear over the radio, cable TV, Internet radio and the Internet in general. Though the words may seem strange at first, the approach of commercials is to mainly dig in deep to your mind the captivating words of the different products that are being endorsed. The same thing happens to you, never mind the product of the ad, but cling on to the Spanish words and the more you hear and try to understand what it simply means, the easier you will be able to use it on your own.
