| Having a hard time coming up with a reason to | | | | understand another culture is to learn it's |
| sign up for Spanish 101. I'm not. Here's a | | | | language. There are few things more |
| few to think about. | | | | culturally rich, than language. |
| | | | |
| 1. Planning a trip to a Spanish speaking | | | | 6. Because Spanish is the second most spoken |
| country. | | | | language in the United States. |
| | | | |
| There is certainly no shortage of exotic and | | | | And the fourth most spoken language in the |
| fun places to travel to, where Spanish is a | | | | world. Close to 400 million people speak |
| popular language. Mexico, Spain, Cuba, | | | | Spanish. Just imagine all the new friends |
| Panama, and Argentina are just a few. Just | | | | you can make. Not to mention business |
| imagine how much more enjoyable a vacation in | | | | associates, partners, students, and mentors. |
| any of these countries would be if you could | | | | |
| converse with the locals in their native | | | | 7. You want to study abroad in a |
| tongue. Possibly even discover some secrets | | | | predominately Spanish speaking country. |
| not revealed in the generic travel brochures. | | | | |
| | | | While it's true that immersing yourself in |
| 2. Falling in love with someone who speaks | | | | another country is a great way to learn the |
| Spanish. | | | | language, just imagine if you learned a |
| | | | little of the language before you went. |
| They say you can't pick your family, but you | | | | Besides, you'll have enough studying to do in |
| can pick your friends . . . and lovers. | | | | your chosen field of endeavour, without the |
| Maybe that cute Spanish speaking guy or girl | | | | burden of learning the language at the same |
| you ride next to on the bus every day, would | | | | time. |
| really be impressed, if you were able to use | | | | |
| a introductory line with a few Spanish words. | | | | 8. Because you hate reading subtitles on all |
| Careful with the translations here though. | | | | those great Spanish movies. |
| First impressions are important. | | | | |
| | | | Films, music, art. What the heck are they |
| 3. Career advancement in a job that favors | | | | singing about anyway? While Spanish music is |
| bilingualism. | | | | arguably the most beautiful in the world, |
| | | | don't you wish you understand the words. |
| Perhaps your company has some great | | | | Hey, if the music sounds so passionate, just |
| opportunities, but only for bilingual | | | | imagine how good the words must be. |
| speaking employees. Or maybe you just like a | | | | |
| transfer to another corporate office, that | | | | 9. It's a gateway to learning other |
| happens to be in South America for a while. | | | | languages. |
| I'm sure speaking Spanish would a great | | | | |
| advantage there. | | | | They say once you learn a second language, |
| | | | the third gets easier. And then the fourth, |
| 4. For the sake of learning something new. | | | | the fifth, etc. Well, for once 'they' are |
| | | | right. Just imagine how impressed your |
| Not just your body needs exercise, but your | | | | friends will be when you tell them you can |
| mind as well. Plenty of studies these days, | | | | speak a half dozen languages. Who knows what |
| reveal how beneficial it is to keep your mind | | | | doors that could open. |
| active to prevent the onset of many mind/age | | | | |
| related diseases like Alzheimer's. Learn a | | | | 10. It's always fun to learn to curse in |
| language is like aerobics for the brain. | | | | another language. |
| | | | |
| 5. To broaden your mind from a cultural | | | | The most important reason of all. Why is it |
| perspective. | | | | everyone wants to learn the swear words |
| | | | first, when picking up a new language. I |
| As the world becomes more of a global | | | | guess, so you can tell your friends |
| village, it's important to be aware, | | | | (enemies?) what you really think of them, |
| tolerant, and compassionate towards other | | | | while keeping that smile on your face. |
| cultures. One of the great ways to | | | | |