にほんごをべんきょうしています。- What does

[JesterDev]

I believe that いますrepresents an action? I have searched the net, and various online dictionaries for both terms combined, and by themselves and cannot come up with an answer.

I am trying to put together some study notes to help me better understand each word in a sentence i.e:

にほんごかはなせますか。 - Japanese, to be, understanding - Do you understand Japanese?

Not sure if I have it down, but I am trying. I need to get some grammar under my belt, but I'm not sure where to start.

[jazzbeans]

〜ています = indicates a continuous or repeated action/state (e.g., [verb]~ing).

So, べんきょうしています = I'm studying.
as opposed to べんきょうします = I study.

べんきょうしました = I studied.
べんきょうしていました = I was studying.

Does that make sense? 'Tis the way I see it, anyhow.

にほんご　が　はなせます　か。
= Japanese, subject particle, to speak (potential form), question particle.
= Do you speak Japanese?

I think writing sentences like that is kind of difficult but,
I can't say I can think of any alternative ways to study grammar!

[taikutsu]

Not sure if I have it down, but I am trying. I need to get some grammar under my belt, but I'm not sure where to start.

http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/grammar

It's probably the best Japanese grammar guide you'll find on the internet.