Why Study Spanish?Why Study Spanish?

An introduction to Spanish 1Graham High/Graham Middle

2015-2016

#1 - It’s Popular!#1 - It’s Popular!

There are approx. 7,000 languages in the world today.

Spanish is the 2Spanish is the 2ndnd most most spoken language in the spoken language in the

world!.world!.(Chinese is #1.)

There are about 500 million Spanish speakers in the world today.

Spanish is…Spanish is…

…the official language of 22 countries.… the 2nd largest native language in the world.… the 2nd language used for international communication.… the 3rd most used language used on the InternetInternet.

#2 - It’s Easy!#2 - It’s Easy!

For English speakers, Spanish is the easiest and fastest language to learn.

Among the most difficult languages for English speakers are Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Arabic.

To learn Spanish with To learn Spanish with proficiency…proficiency……you can spend 23-24 weeks or

576-600 classes.

This is seems like a lot. It’s really…- 6 months fully immersed OROR

- 4 years of high school Spanish. (less if you are a super motivated

student!)

#3 – It’s Smart!#3 – It’s Smart!There have been 11 Nobel Prizes

awarded in Spanish.Spanish is the 2nd most studied

language. (In 2010 over 20 million were studying it.)

Up to the 18th century, Spanish was the diplomatic language.

Being bilingual…Being bilingual……improves your memory.…improves social skills.… reduces depression.…helps you focus on goals.

Myth #1 Myth #1

The United States does not have an “official” language.

That’s right! English is NOT the “official” language of the U.S. !

- There are 380 languages spoken in the USA. 38 million people in 38 million people in the US speak Spanish.the US speak Spanish.

Myth #2Myth #2Spanish isn’t that important in

America.

Well, 79.2% of our households speak English. Of the remaining 20%,

nearly 6 out of 10 speak Spanish. 6 out of 10 speak Spanish.

*If our Hispanic population were its own country, it would be the 2nd largest

Spanish-speaking country…behind Mexico.

Let’s watch…Let’s watch…https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=IamM2P6MH1Q

What Do Hispanics Look Like?https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Jrowk04bqZM