just beware that Spanish is very “regional”: the way say Mexican’s ssay things is very different than Cubans or Puertoricans, etc. You can learn “proper” Spanish from CD’s, but “street” Spanish you have to pick-up from the people you are dealing with. So, don’t be surprised if you learn something on a CD and no one knows what you are talking about. On the podcasts you might find better info. However, I was listening to one of these podcasts and it was a British guy teaching Spain Spanish. That isn’t going to work at aqll in East L.A., Spanish Harlem or Calle Ocho in Miami.