Why Study Spanish?

Spanish is the official language of 21 countries in the world, which means that if you speak Spanish you can not only communicate with more than 400 million people but also have the key to enter into a vast diversity of societies and cultural traditions, customs and beliefs.

Spanish is no longer a foreign language; rather it's an integral part of society and the curriculum!

  • According to a report from the Pew Research Center, an estimated 37.6 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish as their first language. (August 2013)
  • Proportionally, Hispanics will increase from around 16 percent of the US population in 2010 to 30 percent by 2050. (centerforpubliceducation.org)
  • Predictions indicate that the Latino population will reach approximately 128.8 million by 2060, which will likely make the US the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world! (Business Insider, 2014)
  • The Economist reports that people who speak English and Spanish earn a salary 1.5 percent higher than the national average. (March 2014)

Fifteen reasons to study Spanish

  1. To better communicate with speakers of Spanish.
  2. To distinguish yourself in the cutthroat job market in business, health, education, sports, communication, politics, law, entertainment fields/disciplines, and more.
  3. To gain a depth of understanding unavailable to monolinguals.
  4. To revolutionize and invigorate your travel adventures.
  5. To transform your way of thinking, feeling, and acting.
  6. To strengthen and expand your own identity.
  7. To be more versatile in the workplace.
  8. To work abroad and be ready to face the challenges of a global workforce in the 21st century.
  9. To become an intercultural mediator.
  10. To enhance your memory skills.
  11. To improve your English vocabulary and grammar.
  12. To stay up to date with pop culture.
  13. To comprehend the lyrics of Spanish songs.
  14. To view Hispanic films without the need for subtitles.
  15. To better recognize the accomplishments of Hispanics and their unique cultural contributions.