Purchase a Spanish phrase book from your local book or travel shop. Skim through the book for words and phrases that will be necessary for you to communicate. Practice saying each phrase or word aloud multiple times.
Download free podcasts or audio from websites of Spanish speakers. Listen to the files any chance you get --- while working or playing on your computer, riding in the car on your commute or exercising with your iPod. Actively participate with the audio by repeating what the speaker says. The more you listen and participate, the more you will memorize.
Complete online Spanish activities such as word searches, crossword puzzles and matching games. Use these activities as much as possible to learn basic words and phrases.
Teach yourself the basic verb conjugations. In Spanish, verbs are conjugated in past, present and future tenses. Focus on present tense when learning in a hurry. When you speak, the sentences will not be perfect, but you will be able to get your point across. Learn the basic conjugations instead of spending time on irregular verbs. If you learn that there is a different form of the verb for I (yo), you (tu), he/she/it (el, ella, usted), we (nosotros), proper you all (vosotros) and informal you all (ustedes), you can memorize the verb endings. There is a different ending for -ir, -ar and -er verbs. Repeat the conjugation endings to yourself to help you memorize them.
