text: when learning spanish, what sort of things should i be aware of in conversation?   this should help you: #1) if you ever say something wrong, and a spanish speaker doesn't understand, they will correct you! but they are nice about it...usually... por ejemplo: i used to say, "quiere una receta de regalo?" (meaning prescription) when asking a customer did they want a gift receipt, (i didn't know, it just sounded right, and evertyime i asked no one would ever correct me, until one day...) i said it to the wrong person, she said, "huh? una what? say what? que?" i was like, "receta una receta!", just as wrong as i could be, really saying it all loud. then i showed her a receipt, and she said, "ooooooooh, es un recibo, no es una receta!"  i finally looked up receta, and it said prescription...i felt so embarassed just thinking of all those people i said it to incorrectly. as if this isn't long enough, one more thing that will be especially helpful, it helped me.. #2) just learn the way the vowels sound and you will be alright, speaking perfectly every time, every word  you see the letter "a"- it should be pronounced like "ah" (like you're opening your mouth for the doctor to check you out)  you see the letter "e"- it should be pronounced like "ay" (like i just "ate," that long "a" sound)  you see the letter "i"- it should be pronounced like "ee" (like didn't he just "eat?" that long "e" sound)  you see the letter "o"- it should be pronounced like "oh" (like, do you like "oat" bran?" that long "o" sound)  you see the letter "u"- it should be pronounced like "ooh" (like "prove "to" me "you" can "do" it) do this and you'll be fine, trust me! it's all in the vowels!