There is no better way I know of to feel like Latin is a spoken language than having a repertoire of pieces that you can hear with your "mind's ear".
Best Church Latin Texts to Memorize
Great Method Debate: “Natural” vs. “Grammar/Translation”
If you read last week's post, featuring Fr. William Most's thoughts on teaching Latin, you know there is something going on. It's a war.
Fr. Most’s Thoughts on Teaching Latin
"Most Latin teachers will readily admit that Latin is not taught with very great success today. Even after as much as eight years of Latin, students often find it quite an effort to translate fifty lines of Cicero in an hour and even then, they will not always get the sense."
Learn Church Latin 