conjugation

[lynxypoo.livejournal.com]

in my book it says that the 1st conjugation is marked by и in the 2nd person singular form, and that the 2nd conjugation is marked by a 'е' in the 2nd person singular form. I can understand this, but how is one supposed to figure out how to conjugate verbs just by seeing them, say in a dictionary, or reading an infinitive or somesuch in russian, then wanting to use the same word in a different form? I don't see how one can correctly conjugate without having clues in the infinitive, or having formal education on all the verbs in the russian language.

any thoughts, comments, suggestions? this is an odd step for me from spanish and french with their very specific ending markers (ar,er,ir,re)

спасибо!