Why Learning Spanish?The importance of Spanish is growing in Europe. Spanish, w

Why Learning Spanish?
Good morning, everyone. Welcome all of you to the lecture "series of language orientation". Today, we are going to focus on Spanish. Who’s learning Spanish these days? For starters, residents of the United States, a bunch not known for conquering monolingualism, are studying Spanish in record numbers. Spanish, too, is becoming of greater importance in Europe, where it is often the foreign language of choice after English. And it’s no wonder that Spanish is a popular second or third language: with some 400 million speakers, it’s the fourth most commonly spoken language in the world after English, Chinese and Hindustani. And according to some counts it has more native speakers than English does. It is an official language on four continents and is of historical importance elsewhere. The numbers alone make Spanish a good choice for those wanting to learn another tongue. But there are plenty of other reasons to learn Spanish. Here are a few.
First of all, better understanding of English.[1]Much of the vocabulary of English has Latin origins, much of which came to English by way of French. Since Spanish is also a Latin language, you will find as you study Spanish that you have a better understanding of your native vocabulary. Similarly,[2]both Spanish and English share Indo-European roots, so their grammars are similar. There is perhaps no more effective way to learn English grammar than by studying the grammar of another language, for the study forces you to think about how your language is structured. It’s not unusual, for example, to gain an understanding of English verbs’ tenses and moods by learning how those verbs are used in Spanish.
[3]Secondly, know your neighbours.[4]Not all that many years ago, the Spanish-speaking population of the United States was confined to the Mexican border states, Florida and New York City. But no more. Even where I live, less than 100 kilometres from the Canadian border, there are Spanish-speaking people living on the same street as I do. Knowing Spanish has proven invaluable in speaking with other residents of my town who don’t know English.
Thirdly, travel. Yes, it is perfectly possible to visit Mexico, Spain and even Equatorial Guinea without speaking a word of Spanish. But it isn’t nearly half as much fun. I remember about two decades ago—when my Spanish was much less adequate than it is today—when I met some mariachis on top of one of the pyramids near Mexico City. Because I spoke limited Spanish, they wrote down the words for me so I could sing a-long.[5]It turned out to be one of my most memorable travel experiences, and one unlike what most tourists have the opportunity to enjoy. Time and time again while travelling in Mexico, Central America and South America I’ve had doors opened to me simply because I speak Spanish, allowing me to see and do things that many other visitors do not.
Fourthly, cultural understanding. While most of us can’t hope to learn the languages of more than one or two cultures other than that of our own,[6]those that we can learn help us to learn how other people learn and think. When I read Latin American or Spanish newspapers, for example, I often find that I gain a sense of how other people think and feel, a way that is different from my own.[7]Spanish also offers a wealth of literature, both modern and traditional.
Next in point, learning Spanish help us learn other languages.[8]If you can learn Spanish, you’ll have a head start in learning the other Latin-based languages such as French and Italian. And it will even help you learn Russian and German, since they too have Indo-European roots and have some characteristics that are present in Spanish but not English,[9]for instance gender and extensive conjugation.[10]And I wouldn’t be surprised if learning Spanish might even help you learn Japanese or any other non-Indo-European language, since intensive learning the structure of a language can give you a reference point for learning others.
Sixthly, Spanish is easy to learn. In fact, Spanish is one of the easiest foreign languages to learn.[11]/[12]Much of its vocabulary is similar to English’s, and written Spanish is almost completely phonetic. Look at almost any Spanish word and you can tell how it is pronounced. And while mastering the grammar of Spanish can be a challenge, basic grammar is straightforward enough that you can have meaningful communication after only a few lessons.
[13]Seventhly, employment opportunities. If you’re in the United States and work in one of the helping professions including medicine and education, you’ll find your opportunities expand by knowing Spanish.[14]And wherever you live, if you’re in any occupation that involves international trade, communications or tourism, you’ll similarly find opportunities to use your new language skills.
Above all, learning Spanish is fun. Whether you enjoy talking, reading, or mastering challenges, you’ll find all of them in learning Spanish.[15]For many people, there’s something inherently enjoyable about successfully speaking in another tongue. Perhaps that’s one reason children sometimes speak in Pig Latin or device secret codes of their own. Although learning a language can be work, the efforts pay off quickly when you finally get to use your skills.
OK, I have outlined eight benefits of learning Spanish. For many people, Spanish offers the most rewards with the least effort of any foreign language. It’s never too late to begin learning. Why don’t you join us in a happy and rewarding journey in learning Spanish together?