What are the Reasons to Consider Learning Spanish for International Students?

Why international students should consider learning Spanish

In a rapidly globalizing world, being multilingual is a valuable asset. One language that stands out for its global relevance is Spanish. For international students, considering learning Spanish opens doors to a myriad of opportunities, both academically and professionally. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the compelling reasons why international students should embark on this linguistic adventure.

Benefits of learning Spanish for international students

• It can help you to connect with your heritage. If you have Spanish ancestry, learning Spanish can help you to connect with your heritage and learn more about your culture.

• It can help you to better understand the Spanish-speaking world. By learning Spanish, you will be able to better understand the Spanish-speaking world, its history, and its culture. This can be a valuable asset for anyone who wants to work or travel in the Spanish-speaking world.

• It can make you more marketable to employers. Many employers are looking for employees who are bilingual in Spanish and English. By learning Spanish, you can make yourself more marketable to these employers and increase your chances of getting a good job.

If you are an international student, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities to learn Spanish. It is a valuable language that can open up many doors for you in your future.

With the influence of memes, global cuisine, and the popular reggaeton music frequently heard on the radio, you may already be familiar with a few Spanish words. Have you ever thought about taking a siesta before attending a lively fiesta with tapas and mojitos? But is investing your time and money in learning Spanish truly worthwhile? Absolutely! Here are the key reasons why learning Spanish is highly advantageous:

400 million speakers in 20 countries

With its official or significant language status in 20 countries across Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, and South America, Spanish boasts an impressive 400 million native speakers. Remarkably, Spanish is also an official language in Equatorial Guinea and Western Sahara, and an important minority language in Andorra, Gibraltar, the United States, and Belize. In the US alone, around 45 million people speak Spanish as either their first or second language. These factors cement Spanish as one of the world's most prevalent languages.

The second largest group of native speakers

With Chinese speakers taking the lead as the largest group of native speakers worldwide, Spanish speakers claim the second spot. However, the popularity of Spanish remains undeniable, positioning it as an immensely valuable language to acquire. Its widespread usage makes learning Spanish highly advantageous.

Easy to learn: Spanish stands out not just for its practicality but also for its relative ease of learning. Despite features like gendered nouns, 14 grammar forms, and numerous irregular verbs, it remains one of the most accessible languages to build a strong linguistic foundation. Those with knowledge of a Romance language will find convenient shortcuts, as French, Italian, and Portuguese speakers will recognize countless Spanish words and language patterns. Furthermore, English speakers have an advantage, as Spanish and English share thousands of cognates with similar spellings and meanings, such as chocolate, capital, flexible, panorama, radio, visual, triple, tropical, and numerous others like diario/diary, salario/salary, clásico/classic, insécto/insect, and curioso/curious.

Easy to pronounce: Spanish, a phonetic language, follows a straightforward pronunciation system where words are spoken as they are written. While dialectal variations exist among regions and countries, they don't affect meaning. For instance, Latin Americans omit the "English" th sound found in Spanish pronunciations of words like cerveza ("thervetha") and gracias ("grathias"). In Argentina, the sh sound replaces the initial ll and y sounds, as in sho (yo), shegar (llegar), and shuvia (lluvia). Similarly, in Chile, second person verb endings are pronounced as -ai and -i, such as cómo estái (cómo estás - how are you) and tú querí (tú quieres - you want).

Great Literature: Studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country often sparks an appreciation for renowned authors like Cervantes and Gabriel García Marquéz. However, there is a wealth of other captivating Spanish-language writers to explore. On a rainy day, immerse yourself in the works of Robert Bolaño, Ildefonso Falcones, Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Leonora Carrington, Carmen Martín Gaite, and more. Fill your e-reader with their literary treasures.

Handy for business: Spanish language skills hold great value in the business realm. It is an official language in influential international organizations like the UN, EU, Organization of American States, and Union of South American Nations, facilitating crucial trade deals and global investments. In the United States, Hispanics, with significant purchasing power, form the largest minority group. Conversely, in the UK, a lack of language skills and reliance on interpreters incur a cost of approximately 3.5% of the country's GDP. Notably, the British Council's Language for the Future report ranks Spanish among the top five post-Brexit languages.

Great travel and great fun activities: Consider the multitude of exciting experiences awaiting you in Spanish-speaking countries. Imagine surfing at Playa Tamarindo in Costa Rica, skiing in the Pyrenees, trekking the Camino de Santiago, or exploring vibrant cities like Buenos Aires, Madrid, Barcelona, and Havana. The possibilities are endless, offering unforgettable adventures and cultural delights.

Should Consider Learning Spanish

When it comes to choosing a second language, Spanish stands out as a top contender for international students. Its global relevance, rich cultural heritage, and immense career benefits make it a compelling choice. Learning Spanish not only enhances academic and professional prospects but also enriches one's understanding of the world.

Spanish proves to be a highly advantageous language to acquire. From expanding cultural horizons to enhancing career prospects, the benefits of learning Spanish are undeniable. So, embark on this linguistic journey and immerse yourself in its vibrant world.