Reasons to learn Spanish:
1.
Stats: Over 330 million people speak Spanish in the world. It is the 2nd most spoken
language in the world. Over 35 million people speak Spanish in the US alone
(expected to reach 50 million by 2015). 40% of our population are of Hispanic descent. It is the official language on four continents and the mother tongue in 21
countries. It is the 2 nd most spoken language in Europe next to English. If you count only NATIVE speakers of Spanish, it out ranks those who’s native language is English. It is the fourth most common language in the world behind Mandarin, English and Hindi.
By 2050, the US will be the largest Spanish-speaking country.
2.
20% of Americans know a foreign language. You can help others and be a life-long learner. It will help you be culturally diverse when you leave high school and explore other parts of the US and parts of the world! It will open your eyes to new culture, traditions, food, dances, music and exotic places!
3.
According to research, Spanish is one of the easiest languages for a Native English
speaking person to learn. It can take anywhere from 23-24 weeks to master basic levels, where as Japanese and Mandarin can take up to 88 weeks!
4.
Career Potential: translator/interpreter, foreign correspondent, journalist in foreign countries, teacher, doctor, and lawyer (Spoken communication is key!) In addition, many jobs that you can do in English, you can easily use your Spanish for as well. You can travel to new places and countries for work, all while using your speaking skills in both languages.
5.
The Future: When applying for jobs/colleges, if you have Spanish knowledge (4 years in high school, plus college level), it makes you a better candidate for a job with applicants of the same degree. The ability to not only know written Spanish, but spoken Spanish to communicate with a myriad of different people is astonishing. You can go further in your career by knowing, utilizing and speaking Spanish. It makes you a wanted candidate by many professions in your field of expertise. It makes you more marketable.
6.
According to experts, people who know a foreign language or are bi/trilingual, are
less likely to develop mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It enhances your mental abilities- both in children and adults. Learning a language is and ongoing experience, therefore can make you smarter in your own language and that of others. It improves your critical thinking skills and keeps your brain active. Spanish
improves your native language, English. It is derived from Latin (like other Romance languages) and it can help boost your vocabulary, helping you score better on standardized tests such as SATs and graduate tests.
7.
Helpful: Once you learn one language, such as Spanish, which is considered the easiest of foreign languages to learn, other new languages are easier to learn as well.
8.
El Alfabeto: Spanish is spelled phonetically! Every letter has a sound. It is similar to
English in speaking, reading and writing. There are lot of cognates- la computadora, la calculadora, la foto, la motocicleta, la bicicleta, el carro, la piñata, los tacos, los burritos, el béisbol, el voleibol, etc! Plus, it has the same basic letters in the alphabet!
9.
College: Most applications for colleges and universities in PA and the US have a suggested 2-4 years of the same language requirement. For the most part, if you take it in high school, you may be exempt (and save money!) when you get to college,

regardless of your major. In addition, you can get jobs tutoring and helping those with the language who need it. Not to mention, it is easier in high school compared to major colleges and universities with native Spanish-speaking professors.
10.
It’s fun! Think of the fun phrases/words, expressions and cultural activities you already know about Spanish. ¡Cinco de mayo! ¡El día de los muertos (Day of the Dead)! ¡Feliz
Navidad! ¡Yo quiero Taco Bell! (Who doesn’t love a good taco?!). What about the
Tango, Rumba, Salsa, Merengue dances? Olé, fiestas, bull fighting, Flamenco dancing y ¡mucho mucho más!
11.
Expand your world! Learn a new language!