Travel to learn
 

Do you think it is essential to live in an English-speaking country for a while to learn the language properly? This is something I often discuss with my students... I'll tell you what my opinion is later...:impatient:

I don't think so. However, having an English-speaking person to interact
with is a tremendous help.

I knew a spanish person ho has mastered a good german level without going to Germany
http://rachelavalos.blogspot.com/200...de-lengua.html
And you ahve "hperpoliglotas" who master other languages
http://es.answers.yahoo.com/question...7204809AAXhR6K

saludos :D

I believe you can learn any language, as long as you have someone to interact with (as Poli mentioned). If there is more than one person to converse with in the other tongue, so much the better. If possible, total immersion in the culture (people, country, and language) is, in my opinion, the best way to learn a language.

If you watch enough cable TV in English that should be enough ... :D

It's no joke. I think you are right. My elder children are both bilingual( the little one still speaks Spanglish), but my daughter watches more TV and the influence on her English is unbelievable. She sounds totally American at times...

Y es seguro que lo lamentas. Tu hija no es una inglésa perfecta como tú sino una americana. Sugiero que pongas un bloqueo en los canales americanos. Así va tendrá que mirar BBC a la fuerza;):D

I don't mind at all. I love American accents...:love:

To actually respond to your original question, I think it's not 100% necessary, but it's extremely helpful.

I agree
 

I agree! But try to surf on internet too. There are a lot of social networking sites wherein you can make friends with somebody and you can communicate to them through chat and free phone calls.