velma

It is, but usted can also be used when talking to someone you don't know personally like a teacher anybody that is not a friend of yours. While tu is used when talking to someone you know personally like a friend, sister, or brother.

The best way I learned the little Spanish that I do know is by learning a new word everyday. Using it in a sentence and downloading a English to Spanish translator to practice saying it and hearing it. I would sometimes watch movies but that did not help me at all. I also increased my vocabulary by writing down Spanish words from a dictionary and reading Spanish books and recognizing words that were similar to English.