I think it is important to learn by demo . but it is also good to have a person who will guide you on the basic of using the trading account . Cause it is some times confusing to learn how to start a trade . but if you get the very basic , then you can do other things by yourself ..... Many one thinks that we are to learn Forex by only reading books, internet articles and newspaper. These are true but to learn trading Forex really we must have to trade with Forex. To learn this there is no substitute for trading practice.