Learning Spanish has many benefits for those who decide to take the plunge. Spanish is the second native language in the world. It has 550 million speakers, behind only Mandarin Chinese. It is also the second most learned language, only behind English. Learning Spanish is so important that it has become the second language of international communication on the Internet, taking into account both users and the number of websites.
What does learning Spanish contribute to the world economy?
If you are looking to learn a language that offers you many career opportunities and options, you have to learn Spanish. The internationalization of Spanish companies has made it one of the most popular languages in the world.
In addition, Spanish was commonly widely-spoken in Latin America. However, it is expanding further north, becoming a native and foreign language in the United States.
The purchasing power of Spanish-speaking people is really high. It represents 10% of world GDP. In addition, Spanish also generates 16% of the economic value of GDP. This percentage is equivalent to 164 billion Euros.
Companies are giving more and more importance to learning Spanish. Speaking this language is an incentive in your CV as Spanish multiplies your commercial exchanges fourfold. That's why more and more businesses are looking for people who can speak Spanish. It is fundamental to the expansion of the company. In addition, it multiplies by 7 the possibility of direct investment abroad.
Spanish on the Internet
Spanish has become the second most widely used language on the Internet. That's why learning Spanish can open a lot of doors for you. More than 8% of Internet users communicate in Spanish. Such is its importance that between 2000 and 2013, Spanish on the Internet grew by 1123%.
In addition, the presence of Spanish on Social Networks is also really important. It is the second most used language on Facebook and Twitter. Moreover, these figures are global. In other words, in addition to having an enormous presence in Spain and Latin America, Spanish on social networks is also the second most used language in cities such as London and New York. For this reason, more and more companies are looking for community managers with perfect Spanish.
Learning Spanish allows you to create a much deeper and more global internet strategy. Its importance has grown so much in recent years that choosing a good language school becomes a fundamental issue. Also, if you are passionate about Social Networking, you may have noticed the incredible presence of Spanish.
That is why, given the importance of the Internet world in companies, learning Spanish is a wonderful way to improve job opportunities.
Learning Spanish brings culture
Learning Spanish, besides offering you numerous job opportunities, also helps you to grow personally; do you like to travel? and are you passionate about literature? In this case, don't think about it anymore and decide to learn Spanish.
Spanish, as we have seen at the beginning, is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and the second language chosen for learning. Wherever you go, you'll find a sector of Spanish people. That is why it is becoming increasingly important to learn Spanish.
Spain, Latin America and many African countries communicate in Spanish. Therefore, learning Spanish helps you to travel and get to know other cultures. It allows you to get to know a different humour, customs, gastronomy and culture in general.
In addition, Spanish is one of the languages with the greatest literature projection. If you are passionate about letters, learning Spanish will allow you to meet really fantastic authors and books and will bring you closer to an incredible fantasy world. Spain is among the 15 countries that produce the most books in the world, and literature is its great cultural projection!
Climate and tourism in Spain
If there is one thing that makes Spain stand out, it is that it has a really incredible climate. Learning Spanish can help you get around the different corners of this country. Spain is in the temperate zone of the planet. Its orographic position means that it has four distinct climates: Atlantic climate, Mediterranean climate, mountain climate and subtropical climate. Even so, the Mediterranean climate is the predominant one in Spain. Knowing the weather is highly recommended so that you know in which area you will feel more comfortable.
The Mediterranean climate is the predominant one in the south of the country on the Mediterranean coast. It includes places like Valencia, Barcelona or the Balearic Islands. In the Mediterranean climate, winters are quite mild and summers are hot. In addition, it is an area where there is little rainfall. Therefore, the Mediterranean becomes the favorite area for foreigners to enjoy a well-deserved vacation. The mild climate and the comfort of the sea make it the ideal place.
Different climates in Spain
One modality of the Mediterranean climate is the continental Mediterranean. This climate is the one you will find in the interior of the country and the temperatures are more extreme: very cold in winter and warmer in summer. This is the characteristic climate of Madrid.
The Atlantic or Oceanic climate is the one you will find on the Cantabrian coast, as well as in the west of the Pyrenees. For example Santander, Oviedo and Bilbao. This climate is characterized by cool temperatures throughout most of the year. Summers are around 22 degrees Celsius and in winter around 7 degrees Celsius. In this area of Spain there is abundant rainfall.
You will find the climate of the mountain in those areas that exceed 1,000-1,2000 meters above sea level. For example: The Pyrenees, the Picos de Europa or the Sierra Nevada. This climate is characterized by very cold temperatures in winter and quite mild in summer. In addition, the rainfall is really abundant.
The subtropical climate of Spain is the one you will find, for example, in the Canary Islands and in some areas of the southern coast such as Granada, Almeria or Malaga. The temperatures are usually warm all year round and the rains are quite scarce.
Tourism is a job opportunity
Learn Spanish can offer you many job opportunities in the tourism sector. Due to the excellent climate, both in summer and winter, Spain is always welcoming people. For this reason, the tourism sector is one of the sectors that contributes the most work. In summer, tourists come looking for sun and beach, so the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean are often the favorite destinations. However, in winter, Spain also receives many tourists who come to ski in its mountains. For this reason, learning Spanish will open a lot of doors for you to work in sectors such as catering, leisure, hotel and catering, transport...
Spanish gastronomy
One of Spain's strong points, which you will love if you decide to come and learn Spanish, is its exquisite gastronomy. All foreigners agree that this is what they miss most when they return home.
Ham is known worldwide but, in addition to this delicious delicacy, Spain is much more. Depending on the area you decide to go to, you can enjoy wonderful dishes - no matter what the area! In Spain, gastronomy in general triumphs. The potato omelette is the star dish. You can enjoy it in any bar and on any corner. It is imperative that you try it before returning.... maybe you decide to stay. This delicious dish will be eaten in all areas of Spain. However, there are more characteristic dishes depending on the city.
The most popular dishes
- Salmorejo, traditional food from Córdoba. It is a cream elaborated on the crushing of bread crumbs. Its ingredients: garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt and tomatoes. It is usually accompanied by small pieces of ham, croutons and hard-boiled eggs on the surface.
- Pintxos, traditional Basque food. It is usually drunk with a glass of red wine or a glass of beer. The most common ingredients are: hake, cod, anchovies, goulas, potato omelette, stuffed peppers, croquettes...
- Fabada Asturian, typical Asturian food. It is made with white beans and sausages such as chorizo, black pudding and pork. It is considered one of the ten typical recipes of Spanish cuisine.
- Valencian paella. Characteristic dish from Valencia. It is the most traditional dish and its main ingredient is rice.
- Steak from Avila. It is a large veal steak prepared on the grill and usually served lightly, this is the way it is prepared. It is usually accompanied by potatoes, lettuce and thyme.
- Roast suckling pig, characteristic of Segovia. It is one of the typical Castilian dishes and mixes the crunchy, toasted texture of the outside with the juicy flesh inside.
- Cocido madrileño, Madrid's star dish. Contains chickpeas, meat, vegetables and sausage. It is served in three dishes: first the soup made with the broth, then the vegetables and vegetables and finally the meat.
- Sobrassada, from the Balearic Islands. It is spread on bread and eaten toasted in winter and raw in summer. A real island delight.
- Mountain stew, characteristic of Cantabria. Unlike other stews, the highlander does not have chickpeas as the main ingredient. Its main ingredients are white beans and cabbage to which chorizo, ribs, black pudding and bacon are added.
These are some of the delicious and incredible dishes of Spanish cuisine, although there are many more. You'll find several for each city and everything is delicious. And every time you go to a bar, they'll put the typical tapa on the side, so the beer goes in much better! It is one of the Spanish customs to accompany the drink with a tapa (free of charge). Learning Spanish is much more than learning spelling and grammar. It is also learning about its gastronomic culture, its traditional dishes, the flavours of the world...
What are the Spanish people?
Learn Spanish is easier than it seems, the complicated thing is to understand the way in which they express themselves. Spanish people spend long periods away from home, long, sunny days and good weather make them not want to be at home. This makes them really sociable and makes them have a very fluid and open conversation. It's really simple (and surprising for foreigners) to see how they have extensive conversations in bars or entertainment venues.
The sense of humour of the Spanish is also curious. For foreigners, it is quite difficult to understand the sense of humour of Spanish people. This is because they use irony a lot. Handling irony to perfection is an art in which the Spanish reign. Humour is unique and needs the right intonation, the right look, the right expressions... Everything counts. Many foreigners come to feel offended.
Learning Spanish means learning customs. One of the strangest things foreigners see is the greeting: two kisses, one on each cheek. The people of Spain are very affectionate and are all the time giving hugs, kisses and offering affection.
Another Spanish customs
In addition, Spanish people speak very fast, even if they are not in a hurry, and often use an imperative tone. They are very direct, honest and expressive people. They clearly state their opinions and judgements and always defend their position. Learning Spanish means learning to defend your arguments.
Coming to Spain to learn Spanish means learning to improvise. Spanish people meet at 6pm for a beer and finish at home at 6.30pm. Spain is the country where people don't rest and you will find the biggest party at night.
Learning Spanish is much more than learning a language. You will learn literature, art, gastronomy, communication. You will be preparing to expand internationally and will be a great incentive for companies.
