When I was in elementary school, I watched TV shows nonstop. My favorite was Dora the Explorer. What makes the show unique is that its main character, Dora, speaks English and Spanish. Every so often, she would use a Spanish word or phrase to communicate a certain idea. Common words she said were “gracias,” “adios,” “hola,” and “amigo.” These Spanish words were some of the first ones I learned.
I stopped watching Dora the Explorer when I was around nine. But my Spanish journey didn’t end there. In middle school, I began taking Spanish classes, where I learned Spanish greetings, all the Spanish-speaking countries, how to tell time in Spanish, and some Spanish verb tenses. In high school, I continued taking Spanish classes, and I joined the Spanish Club, where I worked on Spanish puzzles and designed projects for Hispanic and Latinx holidays like Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo. At the University of Connecticut, I further honed my Spanish skills by taking SPAN 3178: Intermediate Spanish Composition, completing a research project on Argentine rock, and listening to numerous Latinx and Hispanic artists like Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Daddy Yankee, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, and Bad Bunny.
I’m not entirely bilingual. However, as I continue to study Spanish, I realize that the impact of learning it goes beyond multilingualism. With Spanish having 520 million native speakers and being the official language of 21 countries, its global presence is vast. It’s also one of the most popular languages on the internet. In other words, you have a high chance of exposing yourself to a few Spanish words online, if you haven’t already.
Whether you already speak Spanish or don’t know a single word of it, learning it will enhance your lifestyle and future. From expanding your network to having brighter vacation experiences, Spanish provides many values that you’ll obtain by becoming fluent in it.
Spanish Will Let You Connect With the U.S. Spanish-Speaking Population
The most beautiful thing about the U.S. is its diverse population. Many cultures are represented, including those from Latin America.
The U.S. has the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world. As of 2024, about 45 million U.S. residents speak Spanish. That’s about 14 percent of the American population.
Being able to speak Spanish is very important, especially if you live in Florida, Texas, New Mexico, California, or another state that has an enormous Spanish-speaking population. Having the language under your belt will allow you to talk to Spanish speakers who may not speak English. This is significant because not only will you be able to help them with certain things like navigating them around a city, but you’ll be able to build connections with them and immerse yourself in their culture and obtain new perspectives. You can also help them learn English, strengthening your relationship with them.
Many schools across the U.S. offer Spanish courses. If you want to connect with Spanish-speakers, I highly recommend enrolling in one. If you’re not in school, you can use language apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone.
Spanish will Enhance Your Travel Journey
Do you love going to different countries? If yes, learning Spanish will be beneficial, especially if you want to visit Spain or Latin America.
If you travel to one or more of the countries in the Instagram post above, Spanish is a major asset for your trip. If you know the language, you’ll be able to communicate with the locals without having to pull out a translator. Furthermore, you’ll show respect to the locals and demonstrate your preparedness for visiting their country.
You don’t need to memorize every single Spanish word to visit. Knowing some vocabulary and a few greetings is enough to make a difference.
An important thing about the 21 Spanish-speaking countries is that each has distinct dialects and slang. For example, “ferro” means bucks in Peruvian slang. However, the same word in Colombian slang is “lucas.”
Some Spanish slang words are dedicated to a certain country. Argentines are known for saying “che” (dude). Meanwhile, Mexicans love to say phrases like “neta” (for real) and “chido” (really cool). Some common Panamanian slang words include “arranque” (a large party), “birria” (playing a sport), and “chonta” (head). Slang words that Dominicans use are “chillaxing” (chilling and relaxing) and “una fría” (cold beer).
Another thing about slang is that the meaning of a word in one country can have a totally different meaning in another. If you’re in Spain, “coger” is fine to use. However, the word has a very inappropriate meaning in several Latin American countries. “Papaya” is another example. While it’s okay to say it in the U.S., you don’t want to use it in Cuba because it refers to female anatomy.
Learning some of your travel country’s slang can go a long way, especially if you plan to go out to dinner or communicate with the locals. The more slang you know, the better. Just make sure to avoid any words that are okay in your home country but are inappropriate in the country you’re visiting.
Spanish Can Offer You Better Job Opportunities
One overlooked career qualification is the ability to speak a foreign language. Some people think it’s only important for translators and foreign language teachers. However, being able to speak two or more languages can go a long way in several careers, especially if the work environment involves people who don’t speak English. Even if you plan to be a writer, being able to speak a foreign language such as Spanish will be beneficial because you’ll be able to publish your work in more than one language, attracting more audiences. Plus, you never know when you’ll need to translate something at work. If there’s ever a day when a document written in Spanish is sent to you, your Spanish skills will come in handy.
Another advantage of speaking Spanish is having the opportunity to work in international companies. If you speak Spanish and don’t want to work in the U.S., you can always apply for a job in Chile, Paraguay, or another Spanish-speaking country. You’ll be able to live in a new home and immerse yourself in a brand-new atmosphere.
How to Get Started
Has this article provoked you to learn Spanish? If yes, great!
Learning a new language can be challenging, but the world’s million resources will give you lots of guidance as you embark on your Spanish language journey.
There are many ways to learn Spanish. A common one is enrolling in a Spanish course, as I previously mentioned. You can also enroll in online tutoring sessions and buy Spanish textbooks.
To give you a head start, here are some basic Spanish words that you can learn and use.
Spanish is much more than a language. Full of exceptional cultures and traditions, attaining fluency in Spanish will be a game-changer. Learning Spanish has been enjoyable for me, and it’ll be enjoyable for you as well. “Hasta luego,” and I hope to have a nice conversation with you “en español” someday.