In recent years I have worked in gaining skill in foreign languages as a hobby. I reached a point in Spanish where I was able to teach a graduate level course in economics in Spanish as part of my Fulbright award in Chile. I can have basic conversations in French as well and am spending time improving both languages. As part of my efforts in auditing Spanish courses I was asked to create e-Portfolios showcasing my work. You can find those pages here: SPAN 322  Identities and Cultures of the Hispanic World and SPAN 330 Spanish Literature.

For those who might be interested in pursuing a second language, below are the resources I have found most useful in my own efforts.

By far the best is finding a conversation partner as I believe you shouldn't focus on grammar to begin. It is challenging but you can learn the most quickly this manner. To that end, I most highly recommend:

Italki is a platform where you can find language tutors or instructors in your target language. In both French and Spanish the prices are very reasonable. You should start speaking right away.

Conversation Exchange is a platform where you can find other individuals either working to learn your target language, or native speakers of your target language who want to exchange time to practice speaking. Most recently I've switched to the Tandem app. I have had some luck here, but the best to me is italki as you do not have to share time speaking your native language and people are more likely to show up.

Vocabulary and gamified applications

While some people don't like it, I still use Duolingo daily. It won't get you to fluency, and isn't good about the "why" you need to say or write things a certain way but I have a long daily streak which sort of keeps me going. While there are other options, I do like Anki flash cards for vocabulary.

Podcasts and sources for listening online

Any language

Radio Garden is a free website and app that allows you to listen to radio stations across the world. You spin a globe and can choose the target geographic area. I listen to a lot of Parisian radio stations for French and perhaps not surprisingly Madrid has stations I like for Spanish.

Spanish Podcasts

Radio Ambulante
El Hilo 

Both of the podcasts are produced by groups affiliated with National Public Radio in the United States. They offer transcripts which are extremely useful when trying to develop your ear for understanding words. Both tell current event and interest pieces and have extensive archives.

Nomadas is a travel program from Spanish national radio that covers different destinations across the world. Radio Nacional España (RNE) has numerous podcasts to listen to.

Un libro una hora is a podcast that tells the story of famous novels in one hour.

You can find a playlist of songs in Spanish I've made for Spotify here. I struggled finding music in Spanish I liked until I somehow stumbled onto Soda Stereo, which I should have found earlier as they're rather well known.

French podcasts

InnerFrench is a free podcasts that also offers transcripts (must sign up for free account). Hugo, the host, speaks slowly and clearly. It covers all types of interest pieces and new episodes arrive approximately weekly.

Huit Milliards de Voisins is a program produced by the French national radio group (RFI) which I enjoy, although they produce numerous other programs that are worth listening to. Huit Milliards de Voisins is a general interest show discussing world events and issues through the Francophonie and beyond.

Une Lettre d'Amérique is another program produced by the French national radio group which I enjoy. They released (at least) weekly discussions of US news and world events.

Journal en francais facile is another program by RFI that's good. They have new shows daily.

Le précepteur is my favorite I've found in a while. It's a regular podcast that discusses ideas from philosophy in French. 

Here's my playlist of songs in French I've made for Spotify as well. I had much more luck right away finding music in French I like.