Academia El
Mundo Hispano / Spanish World Academy
DID YOU KNOW 
By: Marco Enriquez-Bernau
Why Spanish in the USA?
Did you know
that……
....more Hispanics live inside central cities of metropolitan areas?
....about 35% of Hispanics are under 18?
....a Hispanic household tends to consist
of five or more people?
....Hispanics are the largest minority in
the U.S.?
....the median age of the Hispanic
population is 25.8?
....more than one in eight people in
the U.S. are of Hispanic origin?
....80% of Hispanic men (age 16 and
over) were in the labor force in 2000?
....the most dramatic growth of
Hispanic population took place outside of the “traditional” Hispanic states
such as North Carolina (400%), Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and Nevada?
[from “The Hispanic Population in the U. S.: March
2002 (P20-545), U.S. Census Bureau 2003]
...by 2005,
Hispanic youth will be the largest ethnic youth population in the country? [from Helene Stapinski’s “Generación Latina” in
American Demographics 21.7 (July 1999)]
...one in
six U.S. residents under 18 is Hispanic?
...Latino
Youth between 14-17 years will grow by 44% by 2005 while the overall teen
population in the U.S. will grow only 11%?
...the
median age of Latinos is 26, compared to 35 for the rest of the population?
...there
are 10.5 million Hispanics under the age of 18 in the U.S., which is 35,000
more than the total number of African-American minors?
...”Universal Spanish” is often the best choice to reach all Hispanic groups
since it is understood by the Hispanic population as a whole?
[from Cristina Benitez’ “The Flowers of our
Heritage” in Green Profit Vol. 45 No. 7 (August 2002)
If you want to
get on in today's modern world, using just English is no longer enough. It
really pays to learn at least one more language. The obvious choice is Spanish,
the next most widely spoken language in the world. By learning Spanish, you can
communicate with another half a billion people. Let's look at some facts:
- Spanish
is the second world language as a vehicle of international communication
and the third as an international language of politics, economics and
culture.
- About
400 million people in the world speak Spanish as their first language.
- The
demand for Spanish courses has doubled worldwide in ten years.
- Spanish
is the official language in 21 countries.
- Approximately
another 100 million people speak Spanish as a second language.
- Spanish
is expected to be the first language of 50% of the population of the
United States within 50 years.
- Spanish
is the most popular foreign language to learn in America and Europe.
- Today
Spanish is an official language of the UN and its institutions, the
European Union and other international organizations.
- The
Spanish language is used worldwide on the Internet.
- Latin
American countries are experiencing constant economic growth and because
of that, are becoming more important as trading partners:
-A number of large
Latin-American countries are on the verge of signing the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) created by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
-The setting-up of MERCOSUR and the imminent creation of a new free market
throughout the Americas.
Given the facts above,
you stand a better chance in the labor market if you speak Spanish. There are,
of course, many other reasons to learn Spanish. Spanish culture has made a
large contribution to architecture, the arts and to world literature. What
could be better than to be able to read Lorca, Vargas Llosa, Cervantes or
García Marquez in their own, rich language? Wouldn't Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Goya
and Velasquez be much more interesting if you were familiar with their
culture? Even if you just want to visit Spain or Latin America as a
holiday destination, a basic knowledge of Spanish will take you further.
Why
study Spanish in the country where it is spoken?
The answer is straightforward: Because it's easier, it's faster, it produces
better results and - just as important - it's much more stimulating and
enjoyable.
Easier
Studying a language at home, whether at a school or in a correspondence course,
demands a lot of energy and discipline. You have a million other things to do
and each time, before you go to your class or start your homework, you have to
"get back into it". The only aim during your Spanish course
in Argentina, Guatemala and Perú with Spanish World Academy is
to learn Spanish. It will come naturally.
Faster
During the course you will be living in Argentina, Guatemala or Perú.
You will be immersed in the culture and you will hear, read and speak nothing
but Spanish all day. In this way, you will pick up an amazing amount quickly,
both inside and outside the classroom.
Better results
A language is more than just grammar and a collection of words. It is the means
of communication between people, which is why you can never really learn a
language from a book, and why Spanish World Academy puts the accent on
communication, talking and learning by experience. You will notice that, both
in class and outside. You will participate in daily life with the teachers and
your fellow students-the best way to strengthen your speaking skills quickly
and, at the same time, understand the emotions attached to certain words;
essential knowledge you can only obtain in the country where the language is
spoken.
More stimulating and enjoyable
When you learn Spanish in Argentina, Guatemala or Perú, studying is
definitely not dull or boring. You will be introduced to its rich culture, the
fiestas, the countless 'asados' 'ceviche' ' pisco' 'tipico nacional' bars
and cafés, tango, strolling through town and getting into the street life.
After the classes you can travel to the countryside or the beach. You will
visit the most beautiful cities and make friends for life with people from all
over the world. Learning Spanish in Argentina, Guatemala or Perú is
an adventure.
More Information: http://www.spanishworldacademy.com/educationaltravel