My advice...
I would like to offer you some humble advice. First of all I am proud that you want to learn Spanish. Needless to say it is the best language to learn for international and social purposes. It is widely spoken and highly useful. However, depending on how much Spanish you want to learn or the level that you would like to reach there is no such thing as learning any language "fast". If you adopt the "fast" mentality from the beginning you will become frustrated in a short period of time. Language learning at any age is a series of phases and if you learn as an adult it's going to definitely be more difficult and frustrating if you believe you can go from words to phrases to fluency overnight. As an educator in the Spanish language I will give you some tips on what to expect or if you do take classes what good lessons should consist of:
1) Phonetic instruction. First and foremost you must learn the alphabet. The alphabet is the key to proper pronunciation and spelling. Spanish is the most phonetic language that I have ever encountered therefore if you master the sounds of the alphabet, spelling, pronunciation and syllables (stress) should not be difficult.
2) Verbs- The conjugation of verbs in all thirteen tenses (that are of current usage in today's spoken language) is of vital importance. If you can not conjugate verbs you will not be able to express yourself clearly. By definition a verb is an "action word". You need to be able to express yourself in the present, future, past tenses etc.
3) Vocabulary- There are two ways to acquire vocabulary: a) by studying words thematically. b) by reading anything in Spanish at your current level. This includes books, magazines and the newspaper. Once you study a group of words try to use it in your everyday speech which will help you to retain the words faster. Once you are comfortable with one thematic set of words choose another set. For example what I mean by thematic vocabulary is the grouping of words into themes. "the house" (all words related under this category), "school" (all words related under this category), "the city" (all words related under this category) etc.
4) Syntax- forming grammatically correct sentences based on your current level of grammar. You should slowly advance from basic to more complex sentences. There is no end to this phase really. Eventually this process will lead to fluency.
5) Pragmatics- the absolute last unofficial phase that will take years. I throw everything not grammar related into this category because there are no stead fast rules. It includes concepts such as idiomatic expressions, colloquial speech (Dominican Spanish will be a challenge for sure), appropriate tonal register when speaking, informal and formal address, proper use of vocabulary (a word could have several meanings thus knowing when to choose one over the other) etc. The advantage you have is you will be living in Spanish speaking country therefore you will hear "pragmatic concepts" daily.
I would love to expand more but I think it would best if you send me a PM. Please feel free to do so if you want some more tips/ guidance etc. Good luck!
Regards,
-Lesley D-