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Why learn Spanish? Why is it important in today's world?
Traditionally, people educated in the United States have not been obligated to learn another language beyond English. But times have changed. Globalization, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico (due in part to the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA]), has elevated the increasing importance of being able to communicate with citizens from other countries. Increasingly, the second language U.S. citizens are choosing to learn is Spanish.
Trends today show that Americans are studying Spanish in record numbers. Indeed, education in an international setting is becoming a top mandate for the American government because people need to compete economically. According to Businessweek, for example, more students studying for an MBA in today's world are choosing to become trilingual by learning English, French, and Spanish. Moreover, two of the top ten MBA schools outside the U.S. are located in Spain.
Many other reasons compel people to learn Spanish as a second language. Why is it important to learn Spanish? First, almost 500 million people worldwide speak Spanish. 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 citizens in South America speak primarily Spanish (aside from Brazil), as do people living in just about all of Central America, Mexico, and Latin America—more than 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. Third, Spanish is the third-most commonly spoken language in the world. In Wikipedia, English, Chinese, and Hindustani are listed as the most commonly spoken languages. But geographically speaking, these languages are only widely spoken in China and India, respectively. In contrast, Spanish is spoken in more than 21 countries.
In the U.S., employment opportunities continue to increase for those who are fluent in both Spanish and English due to ever-increasing population of Spanish-speaking people. 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 today's economy, every advantage one can offer an employer is extremely important to a career.
It's fairly obvious to see why Spanish is so popular. First, phonetically, Spanish is nearly perfect, which makes it easy to learn. Second, by learning Spanish fluently you can open gateways to communicating with people who speak different languages. This makes learning Spanish a good choice, particularly because 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 communicating with millions of other people who speak one of the other romance languages. Such common understandings can create bridges to the European continent as well.
Acquiring language 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 his or her first romance language. This is due to the similarities in grammatical structure and vocabulary. Understanding a language also means understanding the culturally enriching aspects of different societies. To stay competitive in today's world, it is imperative that we learn more about other cultures and how they think.
The World Speaks Spanish
The U.S. Population Speaks Spanish
Spanish Spoken in the European Union
In Europe, Spanish is an official language of Spain, the country after which it is named and from which it originated. It is widely spoken in Gibraltar, even though English is that country's official language and is also commonly spoken in Andorra, even though Catalan is their official language.
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. Spanish is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and used as an official language of the European Union and the Mercosur in South America.
Spanish is spoken in many countries worldwide. It is also spoken by small communities living in numerous European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. In fact, Spanish is one of the official languages of the European Union. In Switzerland, Spanish is the native language of 1.7% of the population, representing the largest minority after the four official languages spoken in that country.
Spanish is the fourth most widely studied second language in Western Europe after English, French, and German. Even in the countries where these languages are the native language Spanish is often the third most popular foreign language. Neighboring Portugal and France have considerable minorities of their population with a high degree of competency in Spanish.
Spanish in the Media
Spanish Influences the World's Economies
Spanish Education
During the past decade, the demand for Spanish language courses worldwide has 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.
Choose 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—in both their daily and professional lives. The facts not only support these trends, but they also show that Spanish leads other foreign languages by a wide margin for use 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 worldwide and how it is projected to grow in the near future and beyond.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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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
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
USA:
1-866-306 5040
England:
0-800-404 9844
Australia:
1-800-0611 0136
Canada:
1-877-442 0845
New Zealand:
0-800-449-282
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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Mexico: Special Surprise for TOLL FREE callers!
Package Mar y Tierra Guadalajara + Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta: Friend's special: Book together and get 50% off one course!!
Playa del Carmen: Early Birds: Book your Spanish courses for 2012, save 15%!!
Oaxaca: Book any Spanish program for 2012, save 10%!!
Costa Rica: Alajuela: Early birds save $50 USD for courses throughout 2011!!!
Cuenca: 2 students + 1 teacher + 20 hours of Spanish lessons = $90 USD per person!
Cuenca: Early Birds save $50 USD when booking 4 weeks
Barcelona:15% tuition discount for all programs in 2012, over 4 weeks!!
Granada: Attend along a friend this November and December, get 50% off one course!!
Denia:Book 3 weeks, Get 1 week of classes FREE!!!
IMAC Spanish Language Programs Community
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