The age old adage is true, practice does make perfect. This is especially true in the context of acquiring a second language. You might be enrolled in a course with a few contract hours a week, but if you really want to make some serious headway with your second language then you’re going to have to put in additional work outside the classroom.
Textbooks and worksheets can be useful for additional practice but the best way, especially in the early stages, is to speak. If you’re living in the country of the language you’re trying to learn this is much easier. But for those learning at home, there are many outlets which you can use to increase your fluency outside the learning environment.
The first, and quite possibly the best, approach is to look for a language tandem. There are many websites and social media groups which facilitate these types of meetings. You can practice your Spanish with somebody for two hours a week, and in return, they can practice their English with you.
If you can’t find somebody in your local area, which is more of an issue in smaller towns and cities, then you can always connect with a native speaker via the internet. It’s the modern version of having a pen pal, and much easier and quicker. You can send each other emails or even have conversations on Skype. Of course, be careful about who you give your details to and don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Another great way is to seek out children’s books, newspapers and radio shows. Although you’re not interacting with somebody, what you are doing is exposing yourself to real life content rather than sticking within the parameters of a textbook. However, if you look for material aimed at children you are most likely able to understand it even with a basic knowledge of a second language.