Reason for Studying Spanish?
Everybody list your reason/reasons for studying Spanish.
Mine, umm lets see.When I was 8 I discovered I liked Mexican boys tehehe, 'nough said. 
Also, learning another language was something I thought would put me ahead in life.
20 Answers
Two reasons, first I am studying medicine, Spanish is the fastest growing language in the US and I want to able to talk with people/patients without the need for a translator. I know it will greatly benefit my career. And second my girlfriend is Nicaraguan and I want to talk to her in her native language.
I always wanted to learn Spanish, but they only offered French classes in the high school where I went.
I really want my daughter to be bilingual (she's seven months old now), so this seemed like the perfect time to learn Spanish myself. We can both learn together. I can't wait until she starts talking. I'll have someone to talk with in Spanish.
Realmente quiero que mi hija sea bilingüe. (ella tiene siete meses ahora), así que este pareció el tiempo perfecto aprender español a mí mismo. Los dos podemos aprender juntos. No puedo esperar hasta que ella empieza a hablar. Tendré alguien con quien hablar en español.
I was learning Japanese when my friend Maria said why not learn Spanish first, I came home and listened to some Spanish music and was hooked. I practice with her, she is a beautiful person. Her parents sent me some tamales from Mexico and they were the best tamales I have ever eaten in my life, I had no idea that they could be so good. I love Spanish so much now. I will return to Japanese when I am done, but I will never really be done now will I? 
Several years ago, after my first two trips to Mexico, I became so frustrated when I wasn't able to communicate properly with people. Several other factors also came into play. I became close friends with a Dominican musician, who was teaching me some features on a new keyboard I was using. He was new to English and I wanted to be able to communicate with him better. I was then asked to participate in a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. This was totally unrelated to my Dominican friend, but a pattern seemed to be emerging. It just seemed like there was one reason after another to learn the language. This along with the fact that there are so many Spanish speaking people in my city...it just made sense to start learning.
As a part of our missions trip, we were each asked to compose a one page testimony of our lives, which was to be read by an interpreter in all of the churches we visited in the DR. I made a commitment to myself, that I would read my own life story and would not use an interpreter. So with the help of yet another Dominican friend to help translate, along with the help of a Puerto Rican friend who coached me in pronunciation, I was able to achieve my goal. I have met so many great people through this experience. My desire to become closer to them and to be able to help them and communicate more easily with them is what is continuing to push me.
It is my dream to be able to travel several times a year to Latin America, to be able to help with various church and music projects. Learning Spanish is one of my keys to opening those doors!
I got a Mexican girlfriend. She has a big family and she is the only one that speaks English. Although, now that I think about it, not learning Spanish would be a good excuse to not have to talk to my future in-laws...LOL.
--Scott
My main motivation is that my daughter is majoring in Spanish in college, plans to live and work in a Spanish-speaking country and could even marry a native speaker. I want to be comfortable visiting her wherever she ends up. I would also like to travel in Central and South America.
Someone told me it would be worth my while to learn a second language, so I decided to start learning Spanish. I want to broaden my horizons, you see.
Also, so I can meet hot Latin women.
My wife and I scuba dive in Latin American countries and islands. I like being able to communicate ( or at least try ) with our hosts. It's their home, it's what I would like from someone coming to mine. 
Good question! To be honest, I didn't really want to learn Spanish; I wanted to learn Latin instead. (After all, the Latin classroom looked so cool with all the pictures of Rome. In my mind, you couldn't go too far wrong learning about chariot races) However, my parents decided that since they knew Spanish better than Latin, I should take Spanish instead, because I could get their help. Luckily, I ended up taking a language that will actually be very useful. After all, nobody speaks Latin... although it is still technically the official language of Vatican City... hehe
I fell in love with the language when I had watched "Vicky Christina Barcelona" and the fact that I started learning Spanish was most surprising for me and my family
I got bored with my daily routine life; wanted to learn something new, so i thought learning Spanish will be helpful especially when holidaying in some Latin American countries
It's becoming more and more important to know Spanish for religious ministry where I am from.
This question comes up frequently in one form or another, and I think I give a different answer every time. I just find it an interesting, fun challenge that has been a great way to spend the dark winter hours. I will continue into the summer though.
I love Mexican food and a lot of the local restaurants are owned and operated by Latino families. Often, the waiters don't speak very good English. At first, I just tried to throw in a few words in their native language out of respect instead of treating them like ignorant second class citizens the way many people seem to do. Soon I found myself with new friends, great service, and an increasing love of Latin music and culture. Viva Horchata!
I want to become a translator. Kinda ironic since right now I'm best on an academic (as in on paper) level, but with patience and time I'll get there. The language, I feel, is enriching my life. I like that there's always something to learn.
Oh yeah, and being able to talk to the women, of course. Mexicanas are hot, in my opinion.
