ABOUT THE LANGUAGE

The Spanish language derives from a particular type of spoken Latin. This dialect developed in the central-northern region of the Iberian Peninsula following the 5th-century demise of the Western Roman Empire. As of today, according to most estimates, Spanish is the mother tongue of more than 400 million people around the globe, and as a result, it is officially recognized as the second most commonly spoken language, when measured by native speakers, ranking ahead of English.

It has official language status in 20 different countries and more than 550 million people speak Spanish with at least some degree of competence. In addition, it is the most popular second language choice for people in the United States and is spoken as either a first or second language by 15 percent of all residents in the European Union.

1. Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world

Learning Spanish will allow you to be able to communicate with over 572 million people around the world (Approximately 6% of the population). The Instituto Cervantes estimates that there are more than 477 million native Spanish speakers, and that number increases drastically if we include those who speak Spanish as a second language. 

2. Spanish is a great start to all other romance languages

Understanding Spanish facilitates the learning of any other Romance language like Portuguese, Italian, French and Romanian. Knowledge of one of this languages makes easier to pick up any of the others, since they all evolved from Latin and still share grammar and syntax, and similar vocabulary.

3. Spanish will increase your job opportunities

Spanish speakers represent a huge demographic for companies to tap into. Research shows that some Spanish speaking countries have excellent business prospects; and according to Forbes, the Latin American market now has purchasing power of $1.5 trillion. Learning the language will certainly be an extremely valuable asset.

4. Learning Spanish will enhance your travel experiences

Learning Spanish and visiting countries where it is spoken is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. The ability to speak the language with the locals will enhance the whole experience. Many popular holiday destinations have Spanish as a predominant language like Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Don’t miss out on any relevant cultural aspects!

5. Spanish gives you access to a world of rich cultures

Learn Spanish to enjoy one of the world’s richest cultures. Connect to the Spanish language through its art, music, cinema and literature. Whether to enjoy Neruda’s poetry or Gabriel García’s magical realism; to watch captivating soap operas or to sing along beautiful songs, you will soon find that Spanish is a door to a fantastic cultural world.