Spanish has been a go-to language for English speakers to learn due to its broad reach. Furthermore, it is amongst the easiest languages for native English speakers to get the hang of.
The pronunciation is relatively simple. Spanish is a phonetic language. Therefore, most of the words are pronounced as they are spelled.
It is all about cognates. For example, gratitud means gratitude, pizza is pizza, and delicioso is delicious.
However, Spanish has exceptions to grammar guidelines and various verb tenses, which can cause confusion. Nevertheless, the tenses align with English ones, making it not so difficult to learn.
But arguably, the most compelling reason to learn Spanish is its pervasiveness in daily lives.
According to the latest figures, Spanish is the world's second most spoken language, with over 450 million native speakers.
You've undoubtedly heard Spanish on television, radio, and perhaps by people of your own community. Thus, since it's all around you, you're already ahead of the game!
Let's take a look at the benefits of learning Spanish.
Why Should You Learn Spanish
Before we get into the details about Spanish, let's discuss why you should opt for this language.
A few of the factors are:
- Spanish is the 2nd dominant language in the United States, with over 33 million speakers
- You can go to a Spanish-speaking nation and immerse yourself in the customs
- Hispanics are the largest group in America, with the vast majority speaking Spanish
- You will be able to converse more effectively with Spanish speakers if you master the language
- The countries of Latin America are the most significant commercial partners
- Because you comprehend Spanish, you can obtain vital insights that monolinguals miss
- Being able to communicate in Spanish adds a lot to your résumé
- You can create a change in the education field as a Spanish teacher
- Learning a second language aids in memory retention
The top languages taught in US schools include Spanish as well, so plenty of opportunities are available if you want to learn it.
Economic Benefits Of Learning Spanish
Language learners concerned with the cost-benefit ratio are constantly weighing their options.
Concentrate on the financial advantages of learning Spanish. Just knowing the answer to "qué tal?" opens up a whole new universe of business opportunities.
Certainly, you know that studying Spanish enhances your job chances and raises your income ability.
But are you aware of the figures and how these economic gains are generated?
Let's talk about the economic advantages of learning Spanish:
Improves Decision-Making Skills
Learning a language can be seen as a problem-solving activity! Tackling a new language is analogous to approaching a new puzzle.
In some ways, it's all very similar to a piece you've already learned (your local tongue), but in some aspects, it's distinct and presents its own set of quirks.
Gendered nouns and the numerous methods to conjugate regular and irregular verbs, for example, will provide difficulties in Spanish.
When it comes to language learning, you have to notice nuances, understand the meaning, and understand learning the contextually suitable conditions for a specific expression being used.
It is essential to remember that various sounds, letters, and tones define the same thing in a different tongue.
For example, it's called "apples" in English, whereas they are called "Manzana" in Spanish.
You are presented with the unknown, and it asks you to accommodate. A new language such as Spanish, Italian or French puts your intellect to the test by asking you to follow a series of rules.
As you move forward, you must constructively incorporate all of these new principles into your conversation.
So, with a slew of mental activities thrown at your brain, is it any surprise that bilinguals have been shown to have several better brain functions?
Allows You To Conduct Business Internationally
Latin America is attracting international attention, not just for its gorgeous people but also for its strong economic potential.
The economy of Spanish-speaking countries is expanding, aided by a commodities boom. As a result, their inhabitants are becoming more affluent.
For example, Carlos Slim Helu is the telecom mogul who dethroned Warren Buffet and Bill Gates as the world's richest man in 2010.
Apart from that, half a billion people know the language and might become key players within your company.
When you want to buy anything, English may be applicable. However, if you're going to sell a product and captivate people, you must speak the local language that they recognize.
If you pay attention to international business, you'll see that Spanish firms acquire British banks and enterprises—Santander has acquired Abbey, Iberia is combining with BA, and Telefonica is acquiring O2.
Moreover, Jane Weightman, head of Commercial Language Training, believes Spanish has surpassed German as the most important business language.
Prevents Losses Due To A Lack Of Language Fluency
In a nutshell, a lack of language abilities is fatal to a business.
Did you know that Spanish speakers conduct more than $6 trillion in commerce?
This is because Spanish-speaking countries are expanding, and their people's purchasing power is too appealing to ignore.
And it's because, while English remains the worldwide business language, Spanish has gradually become a second "de facto" language for every organization with global ambitions.
Speaking Spanish (both the language and the culture) is essential for business expansion and collaboration.
Being proficient in Spanish might be the difference between life and death, specifically if you work in a US hospital where patients can only communicate in Spanish.
If a qualified interpreter is vital in business, how much more critical is a translator in healthcare, where a minor mistake might result in irreversible injury to the patient?
The University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, conducted research. It investigated 35 incidents of malpractice in which language difficulties played a significant role in patient injury.
The report stated that carriers paid $2,289,000 in damages or settlements and $2,793,800 in legal expenses due to the inability to provide competent and timely medical treatment due to linguistic problems.
Broadens Economic Prospects And Increases Personal Potential
By learning Spanish, you won't just get a new way to say "hello."
It also introduces you to a world of almost half a billion individuals (470 million speakers) having distinct ways of thinking and approaching problems and experiencing life.
This fact itself should be enough reason to learn Spanish: you'll be expanding your mind to the notion that your culture isn't the only one achieving extraordinary things.
But the point is, learning Spanish not only liberates you from your prejudices and fosters openness, but it also opens doors that will eventually fatten your bank accounts and wallets.
Improves Your Current Skills
Spanish can help you enhance your math abilities and your English.
According to research, learning a new language improves your linguistic abilities in your native language, such as English.
Listening skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and total language memory are examples of such abilities.
This is because learning a new language increases your awareness of your native language's vocabulary, structure, syntax, sound, idioms, and intonation.
This increased juxtaposition and understanding culminate in an appreciation that monolinguals do not have.
Furthermore, learning a new language engages the brain's language centers, which improves first language abilities.
You have options to learn several languages. For example, suppose you want to know what languages are taught in American schools.
In that case, you will be surprised to see all the languages being offered, including French, Spanish, Italian, and even American sign language.
How Spanish Is Taught In Schools In The US
Spanish is taught in various ways at different schools. The most frequent program type is 'language emphasis .' It concentrates on reading, speaking, listening, and writing.
Spanish immersion schools are becoming more popular across the United States.
Schools in the US are generally more in favor of Latin America. However, if you have a good instructor or program, they will provide you with both.
Books usually contain all six forms of verbs (except for vosotros, which is primarily used in Spain), but they tend to favor Latin American pronouns as one progresses.
When one gets to the university level, it's vital to comprehend the vosotros forms. Thus advanced professors are frequently familiar with them.
Educators are either aware of the vital pronunciation distinctions or, at the absolute minimum, have phonetics recordings with examples so that students may practice.
The French language is also taught in a similar fashion in most US schools.
More To Learning Spanish
Knowing more than one language can help open more doors for people.
Knowing Spanish, for example, would be extremely useful in vocations requiring salesmanship, close contact communication, and negotiation. It's a significant difference and a competitive advantage.
For example, suppose an employer reviews the CVs of two fundamentally comparable people, but one has Spanish on his résumé.
In that case, they'll constantly be thinking about the Spanish-speaking population who may now become their clientele.
Spanish can be used as a stepping stone to a global career. And besides, how many nations have Spanish as a native language? Twenty.
An individual who speaks the language has just expanded their work opportunities by a factor of twenty.
An additional language is another instrument for developing fruitful partnerships.
Doctors and nurses with Spanish backgrounds, for example, are better equipped to treat patients and fulfill their requirements in the healthcare industry.
Of course, one can find translators for medical personnel, but knowing the language saves the hospital management money and elevates you to a valued medical professional.
Because globalization has brought diverse cultures together, the individual who can mediate and bridge those cultures has benefited personally and economically.
Spanish does fall under the category of most common languages taught in US schools. However, if you are not comfortable joining an institute just for one language, you can always turn to Superprof.
Our professional tutors make Spanish as easy as ABC for you to learn.
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