Yes, I have been studying a long time. I have used CDs and books. I must admit that there was a time in the early 2000s that my Spanish was pretty good, but just on one subject: medicine. I am a doctor and my Hispanic patients told me that my Spanish was "pretty good". They did not know that I only knew words pertaining to a physical examination. Also, there has been a ten year break in my need to know Spanish, so that stopped my progress. This time, I am using the Pimsleur system and the language seems to be easier now.