The first thing we need to do is have some fun, the learning of the language is just the bi product of the effort you put into it, but dreary, dull classes, or classes not pitched at the correct level of a student's ability, soon become demoralizing allowing self doubt to creep in. The Spanish are, by nature, loud, fun loving and always ready to see the funny side of a situation. Let's concentrate on the language actually spoken in Spanish speaking countries (paises hispanohablantes) I have a lot of experience of the language spoken in Spain, Mexico and Argentina, the good and the bad! And while I don't condone the use of so called bad language, it's practically a fundamental part of every day conversation! I learnt my Spanish literally, on the street (backed up by three hours each morning of self taught grammar) in restaurants, bars, with the people, with girlfriends, with families, real people, real situations and that's what I try to bring to a classes, something of the language AND the culture. Speak a few words of Spanish and the people will love you, know something of their culture and they will adore you! Best avoid the politics! In addition to over ten years spent in Spain and the 18 months I spent in Mexico City as a financial advisor, pitching in Spanish, 60 or 70% of the time, I am also TEFL qualified teacher.