Spanish? Who Needs Spanish?
Apparently hundreds of people on both sides of the Pacific who are rushing to master the details of this language do.
On the western front, residents of the United States are flocking to Spanish institutes in record numbers, on the eastern side Spanish has quickly become the language of choice in Europe after English.
On a worldwide scale Spanish is usually considered the fourth most spoken language in the world (with a proud 400 million speakers, and more natives than English does) and sits comfortably as the third most popular language worldwide (measured by the amount of non natives that have learned the language.)
Although these numbers are reason enough to stop you from going off to study French in Paris and taking a look at other linguistic options, we are going to give you even more compelling reasons to make the switch and start your Spanish learning career:
Get a better understanding of your native language:
Spanish words are usualy similar to those in English.
There is hardly a better way to improve the understanding of the grammar of your native language than studying a new one. Studying a new language exposes you to the structure of a language in a way that is usually not possible (or at least common) when it comes to your native tongue. Therefore, the study of a new language improves your knowledge and mastery on the structures of your native language.
Travel abroad: It is certainly possible to tour Latin America and the Spaniard shores without speaking a word of Spanish, but by doing so you are missing out on the full experience you can get when you know the language.
Learning a language is not just about new words or a foreign accent, it's about getting to know a different culture, a different way to see the world and experience life. Not only will you understand the places you visit better, but you will have warmer reactions from the locals who are always willing to help out a foreigner that is trying to learn their words and ways. If you are feeling particularly adventurous why not try learning Spanish in Nicaragua for instance? Leon is one of the most popular cities for tourists looking to learn Spanish in Central America and it blends a well preserved historical heritage with the modern ways of its people that are always welcoming to foreigners. A very different experience than the one you would get if you study English in USA.
It's easy: If you are afraid thinking that Spanish is just too hard for you, don't be. Spanish is actually one of the easiest languages that English speakers can learn. A lot of its vocabulary is very similar to English's and the written language is almost completely phonetic: read it and you know how to pronounce it! No more trying to remember tong twisting pronunciations like in French or other more complicated languages.
Better employment opportunities: In times such as these it's always great to invest on yourself and capitalize on any knowledge and skill that can boost your chances of getting a better job or improve the chances for that slippery promotion. If you reside in the United States this knowledge is nowadays almost a requirement in certain areas and even where it is not, it will open doors in several occupations involving international trade, communication and tourism.
Articles
- 2009-08-01
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Volunteer in Nicaragua.
Volunteering allows you to be more than just a tourist; you get to immerse in a new culture and have the chance to help others while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime, and even learning Spanish in Nicaragua.
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- 2009-08-01
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Volunteer Nicaragua Program: Imagining you making a difference in other people’s lives is so much rewarding. You have the chance to help those who are really in need and become a member of their community even for a span of time.
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- 2009-08-01
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Your study and volunteer abroad plans. Studying abroad is a serious decision to make, and we believe. It will surely take time, effort and resources, of course.
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- 2009-08-01
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Necessity for international volunteer experience. On the other hand, goals of schools should not only focus on nurturing and educating students but on prepare them to be globally competitive by means of adding international experience to education curriculum
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- 2009-08-01
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Go abroad and be a volunteer in Nicaragua There’s nothing quite like volunteering as a way to experience a culture beyond its attractions and sights.
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- 2009-08-01
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Choosing Nicaragua as your volunteer abroad destination, People volunteer for a variety of reasons, but the essence is to help others. Be sure you agree with the…
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- 2009-08-01
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Studying abroad over economic meltdown. Considering today’s global economic instability, education will surely be affected.
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- 2009-05-012
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From Walter
The classes were very good and my host family was excellent! Everything went smoothly...
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- 2009-01-09
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From Gary
Overall the classes were excellent. The conversation and cultural activities were interesting...
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Links of friends :
Spanish schools
Granada Nicaragua
Spanish schools
San Juan del Sur Nicaragua
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"Leon is the ideal spot in Nicaragua to study Spanish. Offering a wide variety of activities and adventure excursions to choose from daily.
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"Leon is located only 2.5 hours from Managua airport. The town is a popular tourist location for vacationers and backpackers alike because of its close proximity to several spectacular beaches.