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Why Learn Spanish

Why Choose Spanish as Your New Foreign Language? Why is it Important to Learn Spanish?

Traditionally people from the United States are not obligated to learn another language besides English, but times have changed. Globalization has been the big push behind the increasing importance of being able to communicate with those from other countries. For that reason, (especially NAFTA), the second language US citizens are choosing to learn is Spanish. The trend now shows that Americans are studying Spanish in record numbers, but, most importantly, education in an international setting is becoming a top mandate for the American government because people need to be economically competitive. In fact, according to Businessweek magazine, more students studying for a MBA in today's world are choosing to become trilingual; the choices being English, French, and Spanish. Moreover, two of the top ten MBA schools outside the U.S. are located in Spain.

There are many other reasons why people are compelled to learn Spanish as a foreign language. Why is it important to learn Spanish? For one thing, Spanish is spoken by almost 400 million people worldwide. Even more compelling is the fact that about half of the population in the Western Hemisphere speaks Spanish, making it the primary language for as many people as English in this region of the world. Most of South America speaks primarily Spanish (aside from Brazil), as does just about all of Central America, Mexico and Latin America - over 15 countries in total. In addition, within the United States, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language after English - by a very wide margin. In the U.S. more and more opportunities are increasing for those who are fluent in both Spanish and English due to the explosion in the Spanish-speaking population. This means that being bilingual (Spanish and English) will continue to become more valuable for people who live in the U.S. with each passing year. In this economy this is extremely important to a working career.

In addition to in the U.S., Spanish is also gaining importance in Europe, where it is quickly becoming the foreign language of choice after English. It's fairly obvious to see why. Phonetically, Spanish is nearly perfect which makes it easy to learn. First, by learning Spanish fluently you can open the gateway to get by when communicating with people who speak different languages. Secondly, Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world. According to Wikipedia, English, Chinese and Hindustani are the most commonly spoken languages, but, geographically speaking, they are only widely spoken in China and India respectively. Realizing that Spanish is spoken in more than 21 countries make learning Spanish a good choice, particularly since the US and Canada are in the same hemisphere and do business with many Latin American countries. In fact, as a romance language, Spanish can open the door to communication with many millions of other people who speak one of the other romance languages, which would create bridges to the European continent as well. Language acquisition requires special skills that, once learned, can be used to become fluent in other romance languages in much less time than it would take someone who is learning their first romance language. Basically, this is due to the similarities in grammar structure and vocabulary. Understanding a language means understanding culturally enriching aspects of different societies. In order to stay competitive in today´s world, it is imperative that we learn more about other cultures and how they think.

The Facts to Support Choosing Spanish

Most people who choose to learn Spanish do so because of its popularity, especially in the Western Hemisphere and in Europe. They know that learning Spanish will give them practical knowledge - both in their daily and professional lives. The facts not only support these feelings, they show that Spanish leads other foreign languages by a wide margin for usage within the Western World. They also show that the Spanish-speaking population is expanding. For example, the projections for the Spanish-speaking population within the U.S. show that it is becoming a larger percentage of the total U.S. population every year. Following are some facts that show just how widespread the Spanish language is in the world and how it is projected to continue to grow in the near future and beyond.

The World Speaking Spanish

• If you include the number of people who are fluent in Spanish as a second language, the total number of Spanish speakers in the world is well over 400 million people. The list of countries where Spanish is either the primary language or the largest secondary language covers 28 different countries: from Andorra to Venezuela.
• Although most of the countries outside of Spain with a native Spanish speaking population are located in the Western Hemisphere, there are some notable exceptions. Spanish and French share the role as the official language of Equatorial Guinea, making it the only country on the continent of Africa with Spanish as a primary language. However, Morocco and Gibraltar also have many Spanish speakers. In Asia, the Philippines are the lone representatives for Spanish-speaking nations. As a matter of fact, the Cervantes Institute, a non-profit organization created by the Spanish government in 1991, promotes the study and teaching of the Spanish language. As of this writing, Cervantes Institute is expanding the exposure of the Spanish language and culture in the Philippines, among other places. The population of the Philippines used to be under Spanish control, and the natives already use many Spanish words. In all, Spanish is the primary language in countries across four different continents.

The U.S. Population Speaking Spanish

• According to the Pew Hispanic Research Center, the estimated number of Hispanics in the U.S. as of 2009 is 44 million. This figure means that the United States has the fifth largest Hispanic population worldwide (trailing Mexico, Colombia, Spain and Argentina - just barely behind Spain itself and Argentina). The statistics also show that approximately half of U.S. immigrants are from Latin America, and this trend does not show any signs of stopping. Moreover, this group has the highest birth rate. According to Pew Research Center, 22% of infants born in the U. S. are Hispanic as of April, 2009. The latest data from the Pew Research Center also shows the following:
  • Seven-in-ten (70%) Hispanic students speak a language other than English at home.
  • Nearly half (44%) of first-generation students speak English with difficulty, compared with 20% of second-generation students and 5% of the third-and-higher generations.
• Another indication that the language will be kept vibrant for many years to come is the fact that quite a large portion of the Spanish speaking population in the U.S. are children. In addition, by 2050, the number of Hispanics in the U.S is projected to grow exponentially to over 100 million people, which, at that point, will be approximately one quarter of the total U.S. population. That's over triple the 2000 figure in a 50-year span.

Spanish in the Media

• In the New York City area, the newscast on the Spanish-language Noticias 41 and Noticiero Univision, often have higher ratings than 'the big three' network news shows on CBS, NBC, and ABC. Approximately 8.7 percent of Internet users speak Spanish, making it the 4th most common language among the Internet community, trailing only English (32%), Japanese (about 7.4%), and German (about 5%). A recent study of 25 metro markets in the U.S. found that Spanish-language programming was the sixth most popular format.
• It's increasingly difficult to ignore the spread of Spanish in the United States. Bank ATMs offer instructions in Spanish; the Yellow Pages in many cities have added a Spanish-language insert; and Spanish is working its way into everyday use. Is there an American left who can't order fajitas with spicy jalapeños using the proper Spanish-accented flair? (Say the J like an H: fah-hee-tas)

Spanish Education / Economic Facts

• Over the past decade the demand for Spanish Language Courses worldwide have almost doubled. In both the United States and Canada, Spanish is the most popular foreign language to learn. In the U.S. Spanish is the most popular by a very wide margin.
• As countries in Latin America are strengthening and expanding their economies, they are becoming more important as trading partners. Many countries in Latin America have signed or are on the verge of signing onto NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), which was originally set up by the United States, Canada and Mexico. This should further strengthen trade and business ties between these countries and the U.S. - making the Spanish language an even more important asset for Americans in the business world.
• Just as in the past, when people had to educate themselves to keep up with the technology during post industrialization, people now increasingly need to be educated in language to keep up with the digital world.

References:

• Businessweek Magazine www.businessweek.com/magazine
• Wikipedia Encyclopedia www.wikipedia.com
• Pew Research Center www.pewresearch.org
• Vista wide: www.vistawide.com
• US Census: cencus.gov.com/

Now that you know a few of the important facts about the relevance of learning the Spanish language, take a step further and start learning Spanish next Monday!.

We offer locations worldwide where Spanish language is spoken, choose yours!: Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, and Spain.

Learn Spanish in Mexico:
	Spanish Courses in Guadalajara: Guadalajara has been declared, "The Most Mexican City," because of its authenticity, non-commercialization and the birthplace of Tequila beverage as well as Mariachi music. Here, you will find all of the modern conveniences of a major metropolitan area gracefully blended with all there is to love about Mexico's past. IMAC Spanish Language Programs in Guadalajara, Mexico has been accredited by the Secretary of Education of Mexico since 1976. In addition to our accreditations, IMAC has been accredited by the Instituto Cervantes as an official examination center for the Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language, widely known as DELE (Diploma de Español como lengua Extanjera). We must mention to you that we are the only accredited examination center in our region. We are also proud members of the Instituto Cervantes' distinguished Network of Associate Centers. See more
	Spanish Courses in Playa del Carmen: Learn Spanish in Caribbean paradise! Only 45 minutes away from Cancun, Playa del Carmen offers white sandy beaches, turquoise warm waters, and the opportunity to experience Mexico's Mayan heritage. This former fishing village offers a great environment for learning, and one of the best Spanish Courses in the area. See more
	Spanish Courses in Puerto Vallarta: Over the years this city has developed from being a small coastal town into one of Mexico's most important world class resorts. In spite it's growth, Puerto Vallarta has an "old Mexico" feeling, providing you the perfect environment to learn Spanish and practice while enjoying a fine beach holiday. See more
	Spanish Courses in Cuernavaca: As the "City of Eternal Spring", Cuernavaca allows you the chance to escape, to relax, and to enjoy peace and quiet while learning Spanish, providing you with one of the richest cultural atmospheres in Mexico! With its undulating hills and its narrow cobblestone streets, Cuernavaca is a quaint colonial town reminiscent of older times. You will definitely appreciate its history, extraordinary scenery, art, and marvelous climate! See more

Learn Spanish in Costa Rica:
	Spanish Courses in Alajuela: Known as the "city of mangoes", Alajuela is Costa Rica's second most important city, only 20 minutes from the capital San Jose. Alajuela is a small, quiet and peaceful city surrounded by vivid protected natural areas, offering visitors the perfect stage for excursions, hiking, and exciting photographic safaris! The Spanish Language School in... See more
	Spanish Courses in San Jose: San Jose is Costa Rica's capital city, and the country's most important point for political and economic activity (though it's population does not exceed 400,000!). Its perfect climate is tropical and mild year round, and you may enjoy many cultural activities at its theaters, museums, and botanical gardens; though you can also dance the night away at its clubs, and practice the country's most popular sport: Soccer! See more

Learn Spanish in Chile:

Spanish Courses in Viña del Mar: Ranked among the safest cities in Latin America, with the highest quality of living. Known as the "garden city", Viña del Mar offers perfect Mediterranean weather year round, beautiful beaches perfect for surfing and sun bathing, and numerous parks throughout the city. A perfect place to take your Spanish lessons and improve your Spanish skills. It is also a big supporter for cultural and artistic activities, hosting an annual international music festival. See more

Learn Spanish in Argentina:

Spanish Courses in Buenos Aires: Capital city of Argentina and home of Tango dancing and soccer, Buenos Aires is the most elegant, cosmopolitan, and multifaceted metropolis in Latin America. With a strong European heritage, it is the Mecca for culture lovers through its numerous museums, conference rooms, art galleries, theaters, and world class national and international show performances. Truly guarantees amazement in all its visitors! See more

Learn Spanish in Spain:
	Spanish Courses in Granada: This Spanish Language School is based on this Spanish city devoted to culture, and supports various music and art festivals throughout the year. Home to Spain's most important university, it has also played a very important role in Spanish History. Granada's Alhambra, the stunning city between walls on top of a mountain where the monarchs and Granada's Kingdom of Nazari lived, was declared "Patrimony of mankind" by the United Nations. See more
	Spanish Courses in Denia: This beautiful coastal city offers perfect weather, and over 322 days of sun through the year! See the majestic Moorish Medieval fortress rising and dominating the sky line, and Natural Park Mount Mongo. Perfect spot to enjoy fine Mediterranean cuisine, and enjoy a fine beach holiday while learning Spanish! See more

Learn Spanish in Ecuador:
	Spanish Courses in Quito: Capital city of Ecuador and the middle of the world. The Spanish spoken here is clear and accent-free, making it the perfect place to learn Spanish! The city has a very strong cultural heritage reflected in its preserved Historical district, recognized by the United Nations as "Patrimony for mankind". See more
	Spanish Courses in Cuenca: Also recognized as patrimony for mankind by the United Nations, it is the third most important city in Ecuador. Its Historic district has also been preserved, reflected in its plazas, colonial architecture, and cobble stone streets. The city is divided by the "Tomebamba" river and offers its visitors beautiful landscapes and a privileged year round climate, due to its location between the Andes Mountains and highlands. See more
	Spanish Courses in Galapagos: Unlike any other place in the world, the islands are located off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos are famous for their unique bio-diversity of endemic species and the studies by Charles Darwin, which lead to his Theory of Evolution and natural selection. Undoubtedly a great place to experience conservation at its peak! See more
	Spanish Courses in Amazon Jungle: Learn Spanish in the heart of the Amazon Jungle, 60 minutes off the city of el Coca canoeing along the Napo River. For the adventure spirited, in the Amazon Jungle you will discover and experience protected reserves, unique bio-diversity, indigenous communities that maintain their culture alive through centuries, and more! See more
	Spanish Courses in Spanish and Travel: If you have only a short time to see as much of Ecuador as possible AND learn Spanish, consider joining the Spanish and Travel. The Spanish School combines adventure activities as biking, visiting waterfalls, hiking along the highlands, visiting local markets, exploring the Amazon Jungle, etc.; the travelling classroom offers just that and more! Perfect for adventurous first timers in Ecuador and those unsure about the location they would like to visit! See more