Reasons to Learn Spanish
It’s no secret that learning Spanish takes time, patience, effort, and dedication. So, why should you put in all that work if you can arguably get by without it? We’ve compiled a list of reasons why you should start learning Spanish today!
While learning Italian to find love in Rome or learning Japanese to better understand anime are admirable language goals, the truth is that Spanish is considered one of the easiest languages for a native English speaker to learn—and one of the most useful!
Take a look at our top five reasons to learn Spanish!
1. Travel is Life
¿Te gusta viajar a países hispanohablantes?(Do you like to travel to Spanish-speaking countries?) Being able to hold at least a basic conversation in Spanish is a sign of respect and will help you make a good impression. The more you can speak, the better your experience with the locals will be. When you go to another country to visit, you should remember you are representing your own country.
Do you like to travel to non-Spanish-speaking countries too? Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, so if you speak Spanish, you will likely share a common language with other travelers, no matter where you go. This will help you make friends and will make traveling a lot easier.
Finally, knowing Spanish will help you get by in countries that speak other Romance languages, such as Portugal, Italy, France, and Romania. Since Spanish and all other Romance languages evolved from Latin, they share grammar, syntax, and some vocabulary.
Plan a trip to a Spanish-speaking country with the help of this article.
2. Spanish is Everywhere!
Immersing yourself in the Spanish language without going to a Spanish-speaking country has never been easier. Spanish is everywhere! Next time you play Monopoly, flip the instructions over to the Spanish side. At the supermarket, take a stroll down the international food aisle and read the labels on Hispanic foods. When a Spanish song comes on the radio, turn it up and try to understand the lyrics. Pay attention and don’t let opportunities to practice your Spanish pass you by!
Do you ever turn on the radio and hear a song in Thai? Do you watch Greek movies on Netflix? While all languages are great to learn, we aren’t exposed to other languages like we are to Spanish. The United States is home to the second-largest population of Spanish speakers in the world, and, as a result, residents of the United States can see and hear the language daily.
However, if you don’t live in the United States, you still have access to plenty of opportunities to practice your Spanish. Thanks to technology, you can surround yourself with the language in your everyday life. Click here for a few of our favorite ways that you can practice your Spanish without having to think twice!
3. Being Bilingual is a Résumé Booster
Are you looking for a way to boost your résumé and greatly improve your career prospects? Learn Spanish! There is a high demand for employees who can speak Spanish fluently. Knowing Spanish can be particularly beneficial in the fields of business, education, and health care!
4. Spanish is the Gateway to Other Cultures
Even when you can’t travel, learning Spanish gives you access to the rich, vibrant, and historically significant cultures of Latin America and Spain. Language and culture are intertwined, so you will inevitably start making cultural connections from the moment you start learning Spanish.
¿Te encanta leer?(Do you love to read?) ¿Disfrutas de las películas?(Do you enjoy movies?) A good grasp of the Spanish language opens the door to a new world of movies, music, books, food, and traditions.
5. Language is Brain Food
Have you ever heard the phrase “use it or lose it”? The same applies to your brain! Learning a new language is one of the most effective ways to give your brain a good workout. It increases the volume of gray matter in your brain, and studies suggest that bilingualism may also help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
By exercising your brain, you can improve your memory, patience, attention span, and overall cognitive abilities. These skills can filter through into all aspects of your life, possibly even making you a better and smarter person.
Ready to learn the language? Learn how to learn Spanish with these articles!
