How can I better my Spanish?

Question

I live in the Dominican Republic and I speak decently, but I have a desire to be able to speak like a native. What is a good way to improve vocabulary?

Answer 1

that's easy, if you are living there, start hanging out with people who only speak spanish, don't be around english speaking people cause you will never learn a thing. if you don't feel confortable enough to speak spanish try listening first, your sense of hearing will relate words you hear with your brain and would be easier to talk....
try to practice it in your house, work, and people around you.

Answer 2

You should have a native speaker be your "teacher" and guide you through pronunciation as a true "Dominicano". My "costarricense" friend helps me with slang and sometimes with pronunciation. Also, I always speak Spanish whether I'm by myself at home, or in public with friends. The bad news is that most likely you'll never sound like a native. I don't but my Costa Rican friend I speak Spanish better than the teachers in my school, and it's hard to hear my accent.

Answer 3

Try to avoid using your native language at all. Just speak Spanish.

Answer 4

My advise is Read, read and then read. Also meet spanish speaking people and try to speak. Keep on practicing

Answer 5

Watch Spanish soap operas... seriously, it works.

If you are looking for a more conventional method, try Rosetta Stone language programs. They have classes and tutorials that are available online.

Answer 6

Get a Spanish chat site or pen pal.

Answer 7

http://www.byki.com

Learn Spanish online for free.