How to stay motivated when learning Spanish
Everyone's different and everyone's mileage will vary but after a few month's of learning Spanish, you might find your enthusiasm and interest level going down a little. (or a lot). It's natural for the excitement and rush of learning a new language to wear off a little as time passes. Rather than look at this in a negative way, I suggest you see it as some thing positive --- look at it this way, you 're moving to the next level in your learning process. Anyway, there are a few sure-fire ways to restore your enthusiasm for learning Spanish.
Make a list of all the benefits of knowing how to speak Spanish.
You'll be able to meet and talk to millions of people you otherwise wouldn't be able to communicate with. You can get a better job, or position, or have your business succeed more. I even had the pleasant surprise of being able to 'test-out' of a couple of college courses by using my Spanish skills -- the point is you really never know how and when your knowledge of Spanish will pay off. But it will pay off.
Volunteer to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to native Spanish speakers.
I haven't done this yet, but it would be a lot of fun. There are dozens of organizations that teach English as a Second Language to Spanish speakers, so you'll probably have no problem finding one. You'll learn Spanish as you teach them English -- a classic win-win situation. To find a place to volunteer to teach ESL, start by talking to your local library, college, or park district.
Keep Track of the Progress You Make
Track your progress -- it's always a good thing to be able to measure your progress and see where you are in your learning journey. It's a good idea to test your Spanish skills every few months, if possible. If you're using a software product to learn Spanish, chances are it has a testing feature built in. Or, you can use one of the many online Spanish testing options. Seeing your test scores go up every few months will show you all you've accomplished and motivate you to keep going. Well written tests will also inform you what parts of Spanish you know well and what parts you need to spend more time with.
Treat Yourself
Treat yourself to a new Spanish music CD. Maybe there's a new popular Spanish music CD that you'd like to have. Or, if you prefer, why not pick up some new Spanish learning materials like software, books, tapes, or a DVD.
Sign up for a formal course
Enrolling in and completing a formal course is a great way to stay motivated as you learn Spanish. Classroom courses where you attend in person are best, but you may also benefit from one of the online courses available.
Conclusion
So there are a few things you can do for yourself if you sense your motivation is lagging. Volunteering to teach ESL and enrolling in a Spanish course are the best options. It's harder, but getting out with others who speak Spanish is well worth the effort. Good luck in your learning!