Habla Español bien? Ummm...no.

I took a total of six Spanish language classes in high-school and college. The only "practice" I have had since then was during a two week trip about 10 years ago through the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and 'muy' basic conversation with Spanish-speaking co-workers in various restaurants. My dusty Spanish skills needed a serious brushing up.

I asked everyone from a high school Spanish teacher to a salesperson at the bookstore what they recommended for someone like myself who wasn't a total novice to Spanish. Here are some great resources I found or reacquainted myself with:

Destinos
I still had books from a video-based Spanish course I took in college. I remembered that the class and the programs were a lot of fun and almost against your will were drawn into the dramatic situations in each of the 52 episodes of the telenovela Destinos. I found the videos online here: http://www.learner.org/resources/series75.html%20pop=yes&pid=366#

No Fear Spanish
Very basic guide with explanation and exercises. The size of the book (7 1/2 x 5 in.) is perfect to pop into your purse or backpack and use when you get a bit of spare time. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=1411401344#TABS

Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day

Another very basic workbook that comes with a CD, flashcards and stickers that you can label everything around the house to build vocabulary.

http://www.bbks.com/languages/spanish.aspx

Start Spanish and Spanish Whiz software by Braser Soft

Drill and kill software with exercises and explanation galore. The programs are quite the sticklers for spelling, too. Download and pay (reasonable cost) online.

http://www.braser.com/

501 Spanish Verbs

My favorite, all-time Spanish reference book it contains common verbs and all their conjugations. I lost it once and promptly bought it again and have held onto this copy for over 10 years. Also contains helpful hints regarding usage.

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Verbs-Easy-Learn-Alphabetically/dp/0812092821

English Grammar for Students of Spanish

this book was recommended to one of my college Spanish classes by my Argentinian instructor. She said Americans didn't know their own English grammar, so how could they expect to learn Spanish grammar. I still find it useful for comparisons of both languages.

http://www.amazon.com/English-Grammar-Students-Spanish/dp/0934034362/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217956517&sr=1-1

Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur Language Programs

I needed a jump start for speaking Spanish and working on pronounciation and I got it with Pimsleur. Great for aural and oral language practice when you get a half hour (during your commute, perhaps?)

http://www.simonsays.com/content/index.cfm?sid=128

Lorousse Mini Spanish/English Dictionary

I have the mini and pocket size of this dictionary, but I've been very satistfied with the mini -- almost anything I want to look up is in there. Plus, it is so small I can carry it anywhere!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Larousse-Mini-Dictionary-Espanol-Ingles-English-Spanish/Larousse-Editorial/e/9782035421258/?itm=6

University of Texas Spanish Proficiency Exercises

These are online listening and speaking exercises featuring native Spanish speakers from all over the Spanish-speaking world. Very intersting to compare accents, pace and vocabulary. This was recommended strongly by a high-school Spanish teacher.

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/spe/