I have a general interest in languages and linguistics (along with inumerable other things). I have put together this page to point to resources on the web specific to learning Latin. Hopefully some of you will find use in it.
Learning Latin is a very rewarding endeavour, but getting to the point where you can read it fluently takes a huge amount of work. One of the most unorthodox, yet seemingly successful, methods of approach is The Dowling Method .
The process seems mind-numbingly dull at first, but after the forms are memorized by sheer brute force, the student finds they are able to pick up the language without much difficulty. Linga Latina is a gem and it a great suggestion from Mr. Dowling. I do not think, however, that it should take his estimated two years for a dedicated self-study student to get through the prescribed program. I would venture to guess more in the realm of eight to fourteen months, but that's assuming quite a bit of dedication.
As you're learning, one of the most helpful resources available to you on the web is the ability to communicate with other students of Latin. A particularly helpful forum community is available at The TextKit Greek and Latin Forums . TextKit is a sit dedicated to making Ancient Greek and Latin learning materials available to students. They have wonderful textbooks (all of which have expired copyrights) and study groups available for the dedicated student.
If you're going with The Dowling Method, I would suggest picking up your copy of Lingua Latina from Amazon.com. I also highly recommend Colloquia Personarum, a book of short supplementary dialogs to go along with each chapter of Lingua Latina. It is both entertaining and goes a long way towards reenforcement and solidification of the concepts presented in each chapter. It is available on Amazon.com as well.
Whichever method you chose to learn Latin, the most important thing is to stick with it and learn a little bit each day. By doing this, you will always be making progress, albiet sometimes slowly. Throughout your journey you will often times suprise yourself with how far you've come and how much further you will always have to go.
Good luck!