Many adults who wish to learn Spanish do not have the time to take live classes several times a week.  Luckily, in recent years, there has been an boom in self-paced language learning guides.  Teaching yourself Spanish (or any other foreign language) has never been more convenient.  Here are some of the most trusted and effective language learning programs on the market.

Rosetta Stone Spanish (Latin America) is arguably one of the best known comprehensive systems for learning Spanish.   Its unique software has voice recognition, so that it can actually correct your pronunciation as you practice oral lessons.  It is also highly acclaimed because it really immerses you in the language from Lesson 1.  Many people who have used it say it is better than classroom courses when it comes to integrating speaking, reading, and listening.  Most users achieve a decent level of Spanish fluency within months of using the program.

Fluenz Spanish 1 is another program for achieving Spanish fluency in a short timespan, or at your own pace.  The interactive lessons are unique in that you have an on screen tutor to guide you through the lessons.  It is different from Rosetta Stone in that it really focuses on teaching you the foundations and logic of Spanish grammatical structures.  The Fluenz software is ideal for adults who struggle with immediate immersion programs.  It also has voice detection software to correct your Spanish pronunciation.  Fluenz Spanish has some of the highest user ratings on Amazon.

For those who need a more affordable way to teach themselves Spanish, there is the Teach Yourself Latin American Spanish Series.  This is perfect if you need to prepare for a short trip to Mexico or South America.  The CD has excellent pronuciation guides, and the accompanying text teaches you the language in the context of everyday conversations.  The textbook doubles as a handy Spanish phrasebook and travel dictionary.