Learning a foreign language can be an amazing adventure to embark on. There are many benefits to learning a language, including personal and professional growth. It’s definitely an exciting and rewarding challenge.
Today, it’s easier than ever to start learning a foreign language as there are so many resources available. At SpanishPod101, for example, you can find everything you need to start learning Spanish: short audio and video lessons, all kinds of study tools, and our Premium PLUS members even get personalized guidance from a private tutor.
Enough about us, though.
The real question is: Why learn Spanish at all?
In this article, we’ll give you 10 compelling reasons to learn Spanish and outline a good number of benefits you can expect to receive along the way!
Table of Contents
- Spanish is a global language.
- It’s a smart investment for your future.
- It’s good for your brain.
- It will help you learn other languages (or better understand your own).
- You’ll get access to a rich culture.
- Spanish is a great tool for traveling.
- It will get you closer to people.
- Thinking of moving abroad?
- It will give you a new perspective of the world.
- It’s easy to learn!
- Final Thoughts
1. Spanish is a global language.
Did you know that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world?
One of the main reasons why you should learn Spanish is that doing so would allow you to join a huge community of speakers that’s growing every day. Spanish was ranked as the first “Language for the Future” in a study published by the British Council, and indeed, it’s one of the fastest-growing languages worldwide. Experts predict that there will be 530 million Spanish speakers in the world by 2050.
Today, Spanish allows you to communicate with more than 400 million people around the globe, plus a community of 91 million non-native speakers. Imagine all the new people you could meet!
2. It’s a smart investment for your future.
Spanish is quickly becoming a favorite language among professionals. But why is it beneficial to learn Spanish for the professional world?
As one of the fastest-growing languages in the world, it’s also one of the biggest languages for business. Spanish is becoming very useful in the main markets, especially in the U.S., where it’s the second most spoken language with a community of more than 50 million speakers.
Learning Spanish will expand your job opportunities and make you more attractive to employers. It’s definitely a wise move as far as your career is concerned! The time and effort you put into studying Spanish will be a good investment for your future.
3. It’s good for your brain.
Learning a second language is almost like gaining a superpower. Research suggests that it has countless neurological benefits. It might even protect you against Alzheimer’s disease!
The cognitive benefits of bilingualism are related to changes in the structure of certain areas of the brain that are used when switching between languages. Doing so requires use of “executive functions,” which are the most complex brain functions. This enhances the areas of the brain that are involved, leading to a healthier brain.
Consequently, speaking a second language helps to slow down neurodegeneration caused by aging—this means better memory, efficiency, and processing speed even as you age. So, if you start studying Spanish today, you’ll be able to keep your brain younger for longer. Now you know that learning Spanish is important for your health!
- → If you want to start learning Spanish today, check out SpanishPod101’s Absolute Beginner lessons.
4. It will help you learn other languages (or better understand your own).
The more languages you know, the easier it is to learn a new one. For example, if you happen to know a second language already—no matter which language it is—you’ll find it easier to learn Spanish than if you only knew one language.
Studies show that our brains work to make connections between the languages we know already and the ones we’re learning. While this applies to any languages we learn, these bonds are especially effective when learning languages that belong to the same family as another one we know. For example, learning Spanish will help you a great deal when it comes to learning other Romance languages such as French, Italian, or Portuguese.
And more good news: Because of this brain process, you’ll become an even better speaker of your first language!
5. You’ll get access to a rich culture.
One of the biggest perks of learning a new language is getting access to an entire culture. If you’re on the fence about whether to learn Spanish, think about the rich culture you’d be able to enjoy!
Take a look at some of the cultural benefits of learning Spanish:
- Are you a bookworm? Some of the greatest contributions to universal literature come from Spanish-speaking authors. For instance, The Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is considered the first modern novel and a founding work of Western literature. There have been 10 Spanish-speaking writers to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, including the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and the Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez.
- Film nerds can also enjoy the finest works from Spanish or Latin American cinema. Many Spanish-language films have won Best Foreign Language Academy Awards, including Hable con ella by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar and El secreto de sus ojos by Argentinian director Juan José Campanella. If movies are too short for you and you prefer bingeing on great TV shows, don’t miss SpanishPod101’s recommendations for Spanish Netflix shows!
- Flamenco, salsa, tango, reggaeton…these music genres are very different from each other and were born in different countries around the world. But they do have one thing in common: the Spanish language. One of the main reasons why you should learn Spanish is to enjoy the vast quantity of music available in this language. From pop stars like Shakira or Jennifer López to opera singers like Montserrat Caballé or Josep Carreras, you’ll most definitely find some Spanish-language music that will fit your tastes.
6. Spanish is a great tool for traveling.
Want to travel the world? Spanish is an official language in 20 countries. You can find Spanish speakers throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean, and even in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Some could argue that speaking English is more than enough if you want to travel to a foreign country. But, as we mentioned in our blog post 6 Reasons to Learn a Language Before You Travel, speaking the local language gives you more opportunities to really discover your destination, helps you relax and manage stressful or dangerous situations, and allows you to make friends and have deeper connections with the locals. Remember that there are more than 400 million native Spanish speakers!
If you long to see the world, start learning Spanish today. It will take you one step closer to wandering the streets of Madrid, visiting the amazing forests of Costa Rica, or seeing the Machu Picchu in Perú (which is one of the 7 Wonders of the World)!
- → Don’t miss our blog post 74 Common Spanish Travel Phrases. It will familiarize you with the most important words and phrases you’ll need for your trip.
7. It will get you closer to people.
Many people start learning a language for personal reasons, usually because they want to communicate better with the people they love.
For example, someone may wish to speak the language of their grandparents or show their deep love for a partner by learning their native language. Learning a foreign language is quite a lot of work, so it’s a big show of love! Speaking of which, learn how to say “I love you,“ in Spanish on our website. 😉
Even if you don’t know anyone who speaks Spanish natively, learning the language can help you make new deep connections with native speakers you’ll meet throughout the course of your life. Why is it important to learn Spanish in this context? Not only will it help you have more meaningful interactions with locals when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries, but it will allow you to connect with the Spanish-speaking community in your own city.
8. Thinking of moving abroad?
Living abroad to study or work can be such a life-changing experience. You get to learn so much about people, places, cultures, and even yourself.
One of the reasons why learning Spanish can be so useful is that it will give you the ability to move to any of the 20 countries around the world where Spanish is an official language. Depending on the country you choose—and even the region or city—Spanish will be essential for your everyday life. This is because English might not be spoken by the majority of the population (especially in places less popular among tourists).
Check out SpanishPod101’s blog post How to Find a Job in Spain to find even more reasons why you should move to Spain. Spoiler: The food is sure to convince you.
9. It will give you a new perspective of the world.
If you’re still wondering why to learn Spanish, consider that knowing the Spanish language and understanding the new culture (or cultures, in this case!) is like opening a new window to the world.
Research shows that learning a foreign language literally changes your view of the world. According to this study, the benefits of learning a second language include not only being able to converse with native speakers, but also gaining insight into their culture and how they think—a huge business advantage! So in addition to learning vocabulary and grammar rules, you’re also shaping your brain to think in a completely different way.
So, again, why is it important to learn Spanish? You’re not only acquiring a cool skill but also getting deep into a brand-new world that will help you grow personally and professionally.
10. It’s easy to learn!
Yes, you read that correctly: Spanish is easy to learn! This is especially true if you’re a native speaker of English or a Romance language, as there are many similarities in grammar and vocabulary roots. Also, Spanish phonetics is very simple and easy to grasp.
In SpanishPod101’s blog post How Long Does it Take to Learn Spanish?, you’ll get the information you need to guesstimate the time it’ll take you to learn Spanish depending on the fluency level you’re trying to achieve.
You’ll also find it easier to learn Spanish if you already speak more than one language (especially if one of them is a Romance language). Your level of motivation, reasons for learning, methodology, and level of immersion will also play a role in how easy you find it to learn the language.
In any case, SpanishPod101 is a great way to start learning Spanish today!
11. Final Thoughts
In this guide, you’ve learned the top 10 reasons why you should study Spanish. You might have your own personal or professional reasons already, but we hope that you found some appealing information that helps you make the first step on your journey towards learning Spanish.
Fortunately, learning a foreign language has become increasingly easier with the availability of resources you can find online that can guide you to achieve your desired level of fluency.
Have we convinced you to learn Spanish yet? Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the language, or to share your own Spanish learning experience with those looking to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you’re looking for an integrated approach with lessons that suit your level as well as fun resources like videos and interesting blog posts, you’ll find everything you need to get started at SpanishPod101.com.
Check out all the free resources available and remember that you can also upgrade to a Premium PLUS account to take advantage of our MyTeacher service that will put you on the fast track to fluency!
¡Hasta la vista!
