Our students are often surprised to learn that there are more Spanish speakers in the United States than there are in Spain. Or Argentina. Or Colombia. In fact, only one country in the world (Mexico) has more Spanish speakers than the US. So, even if you don’t plan to travel abroad, your opportunities to land a more competitive job, earn a higher salary, meet more people and have a richer life full of more meaningful encounters will be greatly increased by learning Spanish.
Raven Chakerian
Senior Spanish Instructor
"There are so many reasons to study Spanish, including creating connections to your cultural, linguistic or ethnic heritage (for hispanx/latinx students): augmenting your employability; tapping into parts of your brain that help you think more creatively; increasing your awareness of other world views and your own; increasing your ability to connect with wider range of people in a winder range of ways; opening the door to learning other languages; keeping up with the global economy of polyglots."
Emily Davis-Malewitz
Spanish Instructor
"There are tons of practical reasons to learn Spanish - connecting with family and friends, impress potential employers, communicating with your future students, patients or constituents - but even if you never plan to use the language in your daily life, Spanish courses can give you something to be proud of."
Chris Kneifl
Spanish Instructor
“Knowing Spanish allows you to travel a huge part of the world and connect with people in their native language. Sure, you can get around Barcelona or tour Mexico City without knowing Spanish, but your experiences will be much more rewarding if you know the language, because you’ll be able to connect with people in a way that shows that you’re genuinely interested in their cultural and linguistic heritage. Had I gone to Spain without knowing Spanish, I probably wouldn’t have met the people that I did or developed friendships that I still enjoy today.”
Jason Krebs
Spanish Instructor
“I can provide a thousand reasons why you should study Spanish, but in the end, it is up to each person to find a personal reason that motivates them. I love the Spanish language, the culture, and I love my wife (she is Mexican); however, my own passion for the language is not enough to motivate everyone else. Learning a language is a long process, and it is important to have a reason that keeps you going when you feel like your Spanish level is not improving. Do you need Spanish for your job? Are you connecting with your Latino roots or your local Latino community? Do you dream of traveling to one of many Spanish speaking countries? What is your personal motivation for learning Spanish?”
