Here are a few tips to learning. It doesn't come easy but the key is practice, practice, practice:

1. Read the Spanish papers and/or news on the internet - www.20minutos.es is reasonably good.  You can use the Google Translate toolbar to translate it to/from Spanish to help you.

2. Watch Spanish TV.  Many programs (films, american sit-coms/dramas etc.) are broadcast in dual language.  You can change the language to English and then put on subtitles page 888.  This lets you hear the English and read the Spanish.  As you improve you can listen in Spanish and read the subtitles.

3. When you go to a bbq or social event, go and speak to the Spanish.  They are usually keen to practice their English so a mixed language chat will help you both.  It never ceases to amaze me when people say 'I'm learning Spanish but I never get the chance to use it apart from when I go shopping/to the restaurant/ etc.'.  I then see them at a social event, all the English sat round one table, all the Spanish sat around another... hummm.. oportunity missed???

4. Read Spanish books and magazines.  These can be borrowed from the local libraries - they have a wide range of magazines on all subjects.  If you decide to read a childrens book 'Because it is easy' pick your book carefully!  I read a Terry Pratchett book recently, I now know the Spanish for Fairy Godmother, Bats, Gnomes, Dragons, Witches and blood suckers just to name a few words that I'm obviously going to need in everyday conversation!

4. If all else fails, get a Spanish girlfriend - it really does help  :)

As for which language - well it depends on what you want to do.  If you plan to stay in Catalunya then try Catalan. You'll only be able to speak to the Catalunyans so you will be somewhat restricted as there are many immigrants from other Spanish speaking areas/countries.  If you plan to travel in Spain then Castilian as this is the version the rest of the Spanish speaking world communicate in (the vast majority of Catalans can also speak fluent Castilian).  You will inevitably pick up some Catalan so won't be totally lost.

Nigel