¿Hola, Como Estas? I mean hello, how are you? Spanish is fun and easy to learn, and you will be enjoying yourself along the way.
The Spanish language is the second most widely spoken language in the world, making it a very important language to know. But, as a non-native speaker, learning Spanish can be a challenge.
If you are looking for an answer to questions like, “what is the easiest way to learn Spanish?” or “why even learn the language?”. Or maybe you are overwhelmed by so much information and would like some insight into how to effectively learn and speak Spanish.
I believe you should learn Spanish for the same reasons that people do – because it’s fun, challenging, and rewarding. That is why I created this article to give you insight into all that you need to know about learning Spanish.
Why Learn Spanish?
1. Speaking Spanish is a great asset to your resume
With unemployment rates still very high it is more important than ever to bolster your resume and find a job. Knowing a second language, especially Spanish will give you that filled-in resume that employers are looking for.
Being able to speak even the most basic phrases can open many doors while looking for a job.
A study claims that bilingual people earn more than monolinguals not only at work but also in education and even in entrepreneurship. Spanish-speaking countries are growing rapidly as well so that should help your job prospects.
2. Spanish is one of the most used languages in the world
Did you know that Spanish has the second largest native speakers? Thus, it is one of the most spoken languages around the world. It is indeed a beautiful, romantic language. It will enrich your life if you learn it.
You will also be able to communicate with over 460 native speakers from Spain, Latin America, and other parts of the world.
3. You will discover a world of art, literature, and beauty
In the Spanish-speaking regions, there is an amazing diversity of art, literature, and culture that you may be missing out on if you don’t learn Spanish.
Not only is Spanish beautiful to hear, but it’s also a gateway to interact with millions of people every day.
4. Spanish is fun, romantic, and easy to learn
Spanish is romantic and one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is a very practical skill to have, especially if you are traveling to places like Spanish-speaking countries.
Besides, the world has become a very global community and if you want to travel, learn about other cultures, develop relationships and even find a job online then learning Spanish is a must.
Besides, there are some fascinating things about this language. Some of them are:
- To understand and be understood by over 500 million people
- It is one of the most useful languages to have in business
- Combined with other languages
- Wide range of accents and dialects
- Almost all countries speak Spanish
- Promotes cultural exchange
- Practicing it will help you to strengthen your vocabulary in English
- Spanish is a romantic language
- Its dance and music are contagious
Even if you have no previous experience with Spanish, there are a lot of things that make it easy.
Learning another language is a lot like talking and listening to people around you every day, but it feels even more rewarding.
5. Enhance your travel experiences
Learning a foreign language carries with it many benefits and one of those is traveling and knowing that you can at least get by while you are there.
Among the top travel destinations in the world that people want to visit is Spain.
So, if you visit Spain, you will have an advantage in communicating. Also, as you travel, you will find that many people around the world can speak Spanish including Hispanics in the United States, Latin America, and several cities around Europe.
So, is Spanish hard to learn?
People often wonder if Spanish is hard to learn, and it’s understandable. The answer is no, but the reasons may be different for each individual.
Some people find Spanish difficult and others find it easy depending on their innate language ability, intelligence, memory, and general motivation.
Learning a language can seem daunting, but learning Spanish can be enjoyable and simple.
Besides, there are many online resources available these days that make learning Spanish much more convenient. However, does it have difficulties? Yes, just like English. In general, I believe it’s worth the time and effort to learn it.
Why Do People Think Spanish is Hard to Learn?
1. Some people think it is hard because there are lots of rules
Spanish as a language indeed has many rules and exceptions. The good news is that the Spanish you need to reach a very basic level to communicate with someone isn’t very hard at all, especially if you’re willing to do some studying.
2. Some people think it is hard because the pronunciation is difficult
Spanish pronunciation is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish. In Spanish, most of the letters are the same as in English. But Spanish is pronounced differently.
You need to pay attention to details, which can be tricky because there are a lot of them.
Vowels in Spanish may seem harder than those in English because only Spanish vowels have the same pronunciation. Also, you have to master the “r” sound and of course those vibrations.
3. Spanish has many irregular verbs
Learning Spanish is hard because there are lots of Spanish verbs. They are a pain to learn because they don’t follow the rules and they don’t look like anything in English. But this just means you have to work hard at it.
As you work hard, you will start to notice some patterns that will make your life easier as you learn more Spanish verbs.
4. It is a gendered language
Spanish is a Romance language which means that it has nouns and adjectives that change depending on the gender of the subject, person or object referred to.
Sometimes there is an “s” or an “es” at the end of a word. It makes it masculine or feminine.
In English, the “s” or “es” at the end affects which words come next, like adjectives or articles. This can be frustrating, but you can remember the gender of words if you talk about them with your friends.
Also, as you keep learning, you will come to remember the gender of many words.
Best Success Tips for People Who Want to Learn Spanish
1. Be intentional about it
There’s no shortcut to learning a language, whether you want to learn Spanish for travel, romance, or just because everyone says it’s cool.
As easy as Spanish can be for beginners compared with other languages such as Chinese or Japanese, it might take a long time to master.
You can think of it as starting a new relationship. It takes work to maintain a relationship, as anyone who has done so knows.
In a relationship, no matter how deeply you love each other, things can start to fall apart pretty quickly when things don’t go well. Learning Spanish requires you to invest time and effort.
2. Identify your learning style
People learn in different ways. Different people learn better by seeing, hearing, or even doing. And while we don’t tend to think of people as having a learning style, everyone does.
Are you a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Learning styles are a vital component of the educational process. Identifying your style is crucial to learning Spanish successfully.
3. Don’t focus on the grammar too much at the beginning
Learning the Spanish language can seem very intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Once you begin your journey, you will discover that Spanish is easier than you think.
You might dream of mastering the complex rules of Spanish grammar, but it’s a lot to take in at the beginning for most people.
Fortunately, learning the basic greetings and time of day is the best way to go about it. In time, you’ll be able to combine bits and pieces to form a sentence.
4. Watch lots of movies and TV shows in Spanish
While studying is an essential part of learning Spanish, watching lots of movies and TV shows in Spanish is an equally important part.
It’s a great way to expose yourself to real Spanish in context and to pick up on the flow of conversation and instant pop culture references.
5. Find someone to help you learn
Spanish is not just a set of words or sentences. It has its grammar and rules to learn, which can be very confusing.
When you are a beginner, things are even harder because Spanish seems so different from your native tongue. That is why you should try to find a friend or family member who can help you learn the language.
6. Use the resources you have available
A new language is hard to learn without being forced to learn it on your own.
Whenever possible, take advantage of everything available to you in your area: schools, friends who speak the language, online resources, classes, etc. The more opportunities you have, the better off you’ll be.
7. Learn about the Spanish culture and seek out real-life practice
Every language has its own culture, and Spanish is no different.
While you’re learning the language, read up on the designers, artists, musicians, and other progressive thinkers who have contributed to the Spanish-speaking world.
Immersing yourself in the cuisine of the country will also get you to speak the language more quickly.
8. Have some fun with the language
Spanish is a beautiful and joyful language, but it can be intimidating for someone who’s not used to hearing native speakers.
Luckily, there are many tips you can apply today to help with your Spanish learning.
Start by being open to change, practice with your Spanish-speaking friends or neighbors, and remember to have fun. Don’t get discouraged.
Small steps lead to big results when you don’t give up. The more fun you have practicing, the quicker your Spanish will improve.
How Does Speaking Spanish Give You an Edge Over Others?
Spanish fluency can open doors for you in life. People will be thankful that you can communicate with them in their native tongue.
By learning Spanish you will be able to communicate freely with people across Latin America, traveling more effortlessly and with less hassle. You will feel comfortable and confident on your travels.
Despite being a foreign language to most people, speaking Spanish is an advantage in business and other areas of life.
Learning the language opens doors and increases your opportunities for careers in fields from diplomacy to literature.
Furthermore, learning a new language increases your cognitive abilities, allowing you to learn other languages more easily in the future.
FAQs
How long will it take you to learn Spanish?
At least 4 months. Learning a language is a process, and how long it takes to learn Spanish depends on several different factors.
The most important is the time you devote to learning each day. Furthermore, mastery will come quickly if you have the right tools and materials installed to get started on your language journey.
What makes Spanish different from other languages?
The number of verb conjugations and noun forms, for starters. It’s a Semitic language, which means it has roots in languages like Arabic, German, and French which have a lot in common with English.
But acquiring a new set of rules is a completely different ballgame. It involves memorizing up to 80 verb conjugations, changing the endings of words for everything from gender to tense to mood (such as whether the sentence is a question), and memorizing hundreds of vocabulary terms.
Summary
Spanish isn’t all that hard to learn. However, the more complex answer is that other factors play a role in how well you will learn Spanish.
Starting young, being surrounded by the language, and having a strong foundation in reading from a young age will help with your acquisition rate of the language.
Yes, it takes time and effort, and you should remember that you won’t learn a language overnight.
Still, if you’re willing to commit to learning Spanish, you’ll have a great time doing so. And with a little more persistence and determination to keep on practicing, you will eventually be able to fully grasp the language.
In case you would like to learn some other languages besides Spanish, I have an article that will be of interest to you especially if you are unsure what language to learn. You can explore your options by reading my article on the best languages to learn.
Thanks for reading.
