First, demo account are really worthwhile but it will always depend on your broker if they'll give you the best most of out of it.
Second, having a 1000 USD is so big for your trading. In my brokerage, itrader . com I justr used 250 USD.
It would always depends on you, sometimes there are really people who learn trading in just a year. But in my case, I was able to learn trading in a year just the basics, but up until now I am still on the process on learning and trade like a pro.