by Lingoda Team
Updated by Jessica Schnase on December 9, 2024
10 reasons to learn Spanish
Spanish isn’t just any language; it’s a gateway to a large number of new cultures, opportunities, and experiences. With over 20 million students currently learning it worldwide, Spanish continues to captivate learners with its melodic rhythm and practicality. From exciting travel adventures to boosting your career prospects, Spanish offers benefits that go far beyond the classroom. Still on the fence? Here are 10 compelling reasons why learning Spanish could be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make!
So, how many people speak Spanish? According to most estimates, Spanish is the mother tongue of more than 400 million people around the globe, which equates to approximately six percent of the world’s population. As a result, it is officially recognized as the second most commonly spoken language when measured by native speakers, ranking ahead of English and behind Chinese.
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. So what are you waiting for?
Spanish is rapidly becoming one of the most influential languages in the world, making it a valuable skill in international business and creating a high demand for bilingual professionals in industries like healthcare, education, and global trade.
Beyond business, Spanish plays a significant role in media and entertainment. With the rise of Spanish-language content like films, music, and TV shows on global platforms, learning Spanish allows you to connect more deeply with this vibrant culture. Whether you’re negotiating business deals or enjoying the latest international hits, Spanish is more than a language—it’s a key to staying connected in an increasingly globalized world.
In today’s global marketplace, knowledge of a second language can be an extremely valuable asset employers and employees alike. Modern businesses are always keen to have staff members who can help them with international trade and the Spanish language is especially valuable in the current climate.
Knowledge of a second language can be an extremely valuable asset employers and employees alike
Spanish speakers are a huge demographic for companies to tap into and research shows that some Spanish-speaking countries have excellent business prospects. For instance, the Latin American market now has a purchasing power of $1.5 trillion, according to Forbes, which makes Spanish speakers more valuable than ever to corporations.
Another reason to learn Spanish: Travelling! This is one of the most enriching experiences you can have, yet the quality of that experience will be significantly enhanced by the ability to speak Spanish. The list of countries in which Spanish is the predominant language includes popular destinations like Spain, Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
While it is perfectly possible to enjoy a holiday in a Spanish-speaking country without a knowledge of the language, it will restrict where you can go and who you can communicate with. In general, those without the ability to speak the language will need to stick to tourist areas, which often means missing out on entire aspects of a country’s culture.
While travelling can be exciting in of itself, learning Spanish also opens up the very real possibility of either working in a Spanish-speaking country or studying in a Spanish-based academic institution. Getting out of your comfort zone and spending prolonged periods in an overseas country can help you to develop professionally and personally.
There are sure to be aspects of the country’s culture that cannot really be fully appreciated during a short-term trip, but living in the country gives you more time to explore, speak to locals, and discover the true nature of the place. Your time overseas will provide fond memories and can also boost your CV as well.
From ‘El Mariachi’ and ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ to ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ and ‘[Rec]’, many of the best feature films of the past 30 years have been produced in the Spanish language and although they are available with English subtitles, watching the movies in their original form is the best way to enjoy them.
Of course, some of the best Spanish movies are not available with subtitles, so learning Spanish opens up a whole new range of entertainment. The same principle applies to other art forms, too, with some of the Spanish literature ranking amongst the best in the world and Spanish language skills making Hispanic music more accessible.
Multiple studies, including one from the University of Ghent in Belgium, show that acquiring a second language can help to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and can postpone dementia. A similar study from the University of California, San Diego, found a correlation between language proficiency and the extent of the delay.
However, the benefits of learning Spanish do not end there. Psychologists Ellen Bialystok and Michelle Martin-Rhee conducted a study that found that bilingual children were better at problem-solving activities than monolingual kids. This is in line with repeated evidence that suggests learning a new language improves overall cognitive function.
Compared to many other languages, Spanish is fairly straightforward for an English speaker to pick up, as long as you are willing to put the effort in. The language does not require students to learn a completely new alphabet and there is less emphasis on tone than many of the Asian languages.
In truth, English has many words that stem from Latin, much like Spanish, which means some of the words are similar. More often than not, Spanish words are also spelled phonetically, which means less time spent learning complicated and confusing spelling rules and a better chance of getting the pronunciation right.
Believe it or not, studies have demonstrated that learning a second language can improve a student’s grasp of their mother tongue. When you think about this in more depth, it makes complete sense, as acquiring a second language requires a person to think carefully about linguistic theory, or ‘the rules’.
For example, when you learn Spanish, you will need to pay particular attention to sentence structure. The result, when you revert back to your native language, is often that you can write more complicated and interesting sentences. This is believed to be due to a new-found attention to detail when it comes to syntax.
Are you still looking for reasons to learn Spanish? Finally, perhaps the single best reason to learn Spanish is that it is both enjoyable and rewarding to do so, especially with Lingoda! With expert, native-level teachers and small class sizes, you’ll get personalized attention and real-time feedback to boost your confidence. The flexible scheduling means you can learn whenever it suits you, making it easier to stay consistent and motivated. Lingoda’s structured courses are designed to keep you on track, while interactive exercises and cultural insights ensure that learning is both practical and exciting.
