09 Aug 2023 | What are the Reasons to Consider Learning Spanish for International Students?
1
162
Introduction
In today's interconnected world, being multilingual is more than just a skill—it's a gateway to new opportunities and adventures. For international students, learning Spanish isn't just about acquiring another language; it's about unlocking doors to vibrant cultures, global career prospects, and unique personal growth. With Spanish being one of the most widely spoken languages globally, the benefits are countless. So, why wait? Let's explore the exciting learning Spanish benefits for international students and why it's a must-have on your educational journey.
Benefits of Learning Spanish for International Students
- It can help you to embrace your culture. For those with Spanish background, being able to speak Spanish will enable you to understand your people and their culture.
- It will also help you get to know the Spanish speaking nation better if you are still not able to speak Spanish. That way, you will be able to appreciate what Spanish speaking people, their histories and their cultures are all about. It can be a great resource for anyone that aims at working or touring in the Spanish speaking countries.
- It can help to make you more attractive to employers. Today, many employers require employees who are fluent in Spanish and English. This way, by having the ability to speak Spanish you can actually appeal to these employers and get a good job.
To the international students, I would like to appeal to grab the chance to pick up Spanish as possible as you can. It is an useful language which can give you many opportunities in your life.
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
Used as the official or having considerable prominence in 20 countries in Europe, Africa, North America, Central America, and South America, Spanish has 400 million first-language speaker. Quite uniquely, it is also used in Equatorial Guinea and Western Sahara and has been claimed in Andorra, Gibraltar, United States and Belize as the second language. According to survey, in today’s America alone there are approximately forty-five million Americans who converse in Spanish as their first or second language. These factors make Spanish one among the most spoken languages in the whole universe.
Ready to Begin Your Study Abroad Journey? Book Free English Proficiency Tests Today!
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
In this case, the selections of the second language can be considered as follows and Spanish can be considered to be the best one in the selection. The language’s universality, the unique cultural experience it provides, and the potential professional advantages always entail a great deal to explore. Acquiring Spanish makes not only one’s academic and job-related future appear better, but also makes the global perspective wider. Learn Spanish, which is so evident, turns out to be one of the most beneficial languages a person can master. Starting from broadening cultural vision to improving employment opportunities the advantages of learning Spanish cannot be overestimated. Therefore go ahead and take this linguistic trip and be part of such an interesting linguistic society.
Conclusion
Picking the second language: Spanish for international students is unique and quite promising. It is much more than words; the Spanish open the doors to culture, career and the best memories. So, why wait? Start this colorful language voyage now and discover how enrolling yourself in Spanish course advantageous to international students such as yourself.
For more assistance please visit us study abroad consultancy, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like study in USA, study in UK, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in ireland and many more country.
Are you ready to say "¡Sí!" to Spanish and all it has to offer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is Spanish important for international students?
Ans. Spanish is globally relevant, offering cultural, academic, and career benefits.
Q2. Is Spanish easy for English speakers to learn?
Ans. Yes! Spanish and English share many similarities, making it easier than other languages.
Q3. What's the best way to practice Spanish daily?
Ans. Use language apps, listen to Spanish music, and engage with Spanish media.