Why Learn Spanish?

Who's learning Spanish these days?
      To begin with, many residents of the United States. A group not known for speaking more than one language are studying Spanish in record numbers. Spanish is also becoming more significant in Europe, where it is often the language of choice after English. It easy to appreciatewhy Spanish is a popular second or third language. With about 400 million speakers, it is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world (after English, Chinese and Hindustani). Some accounts say it has more native speakers than English. It is an official language on four continents and has historical importance elsewhere.
These numbers alone make Spanish a good pick for a second language. But there are plenty of other reasons to learn Spanish.

Here are just a few:

Better understanding of English:
A lot of English vocabulary has Latin origins. Much of which came to English by way of French. Since Spanish is also a Latin language,  as you examine Spanish you will find that you have a better understanding of English vocabulary. Because Spanish and English share Indo-European roots, their grammars are alike. There is perhaps no more effective way to learn English grammar than by learning the grammar of another language.
As you study you are forced to think about how your own language is structured. Not surprisingly, you gain an understanding of English verbs' tenses and moods by learning how those verbs are used in Spanish.

Knowing your neighbors:
Not long ago the Spanish-speaking population of the United States lived mostly in the Mexican border states, Florida and New York City. But not now. Every state has a Spanish speaking population.Being able to communicate is key to developing trust and understanding.

Travel: 
It is possible to go to Mexico, Spain, Central or South America without knowing a word of Spanish. But it isn't nearly half as much fun. Speaking the language creates more memorable travel experiences. Experiences nothing like what most tourists have the opportunity to enjoy. Time and again doors are opened because you can speak Spanish enabling you to see and do things that many other visitors do not.

Cultural understanding: 
Most of us can't hope to learn the languages of more than one or two cultures other than our own. Those that we do learn help us to understand how other people feel and think. If you read Latin American or Spanish newspapers you often gain a sense of how other people think and feel. A way different than your own. Spanish also offers a wide range of literature, both modern and traditional.

Learning other languages:
If you are able to learn Spanish, you'll have a head start if you wish to learn the other Latin-based languages such as French and Italian. And it will even help you learn Russian and German, since they too have Indo-European roots and have some characteristics (such as gender and extensive conjugation) that are present in Spanish but not English. Learning the makeup of one language can provide you witha reference point for learning others.

It's easy: 
Spanish is one of the simplest foreign languages to learn. Much of its vocabulary is similar to English and written Spanish is almost completely phonetic. Look at almost any Spanish word and you can tell how it is pronounced. The vowels in Spanish always have the same pronunciation. Very different from English. While mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge, basic grammar is straightforward enough that you can have meaningful communication after only a few lessons.

Employment opportunities: 
If you're in the United States you'll find your employment options expand by knowing Spanish. And wherever you live, if you're in any occupation that involves international trade, communications or tourism, you'll similarly find opportunities to use your new language skills.

It's fun:
Whether you enjoy talking, reading, or mastering challenges, you'll find all of them in learning Spanish. For many people, there's something inherently enjoyable about successfully speaking in another language. Perhaps that's one reason children sometimes speak in Pig Latin or device secret codes of their own. Although learning a language can be work, the efforts pay off quickly when you finally get to use your skills.

For many people, Spanish offers the most rewards with the least effort of any foreign language. It's never too late to start learning.