Nowadays, learning Spanish is more of a necessity than a luxury for some. According to the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, 68.8 per cent of high school students choose to study Spanish. This is beneficial if you consider that Spanish is spoken in 21 countries, is the fourth-most-used language throughout the world, and is a requirement for some jobs in the United States. Taking beginner Spanish in school is an effective way for students to familiarize themselves with this foreign language. Research findings reported by Frankfurt International School show that the best age to learn a foreign language is during early adolescence when a child is between 11 and 13 years old. The study also points out that if the child is enthusiastic about learning a new language, they are more likely to be successful. In the classroom, teachers can introduce Spanish to students by adopting a comprehensive approach that focuses on the development of Spanish listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
The Case for Spanish or Portuguese
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese promotes language education and provides a summary of the many reasons why it’s important to learn Spanish.
This article by the Frankfurt International School compares various scenarios of children being introduced to a foreign language and ultimately determines the best age for a child to learn a second language.
The Future of Spanish in the United States
This article provided by the Pew Research Center compares the past and present of the Spanish language in the United States. It also gives a projection of what the future holds for this foreign language.
Learn about the history of the Spanish language in the United States and find out how it’s coexisting today with the English language. This article erases any misconceptions that might be out there about Spanish replacing the English language in the United States.
This Monster.com article discusses how knowledge of the Spanish language is of value in the workplace. It mentions how employees can be more productive and effectively win the customer’s trust by speaking their language.
Foreign Language Skills Provide Sharp Edge in the Job Market
The International Business Times looks at how knowing more than one language can help someone get ahead in their career.
This website gives a complete overview of the qualifications a future Spanish teacher must meet. Find out what the educational requirements are and learn about special licensing and endorsements that might be required.
Find out which Hollywood stars are fluent in Spanish.
Best Way to Learn a Foreign Language
This Forbes article compares the study of foreign languages in the European and American educational systems. It also discusses the most effective ways to learn and teach a foreign language.
The Benefits of Second Language Study
This 12-page document by the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages talks about the many benefits of studying a second language.
Learn about the power of language from this New York Times article that compares bilingual and monolingual people and discusses the fundamentals of bilingualism and how it’s believed to improve cognitive skills, make people smarter, and combat old-age dementia.
Find out which languages are the easiest for English-speaking people to learn.
Learning a Language: Which? Why? How?
The BBC answers questions for those thinking about learning another language.
This article talks about the research-based benefits of speaking two languages.
An informative website offers a large variety of resources for Spanish teachers
Six Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn Spanish
Business Insider examines business-related arguments for learning the Spanish language.
Political Advantage of Spanish Speakers
This article discusses how Spanish-speaking politicians are a step ahead of non-Spanish-speaking politicians in areas with many Spanish speakers since they can reach a greater audience by speaking both English and Spanish.
How Young Children Learn Language
This Scholastic piece talks about the way in which young children learn languages not just in the classroom but also at home.
Six foreign Languages Kids Should Learn
Information about why and when children should start learning foreign languages is examined in this Parents.com article that also discusses which languages are most essential for kids to learn.
This webpage sums up information about child language acquisition. Professionals answer questions that parents and language educators might have.
The University of Michigan looks at factors that can help or hinder the learning of a new language.
A Child’s First Steps in Language Learning
This teacher’s resource breaks down how a child learns language.
How Many Languages Are There in the World?
Read about the world’s languages and find out how many languages there are in the world.
Capitalizing on Similarities and Differences Between Spanish and English
This source talks about the similarities and differences between the Spanish and English languages..
Easy as Pie? Children Learning Languages (PDF)
This paper researches the “younger is better” conclusion that is often made when it comes to teaching children a foreign language.
This page discusses how language programs have changed, who should take language classes, and how to evaluate a language class. It also mentions various resources available to students outside of the classroom.
Those Who Don’t Speak Spanish May Be Left Behind
USA Today looks at the effects of the rising use of Spanish in America.
This page talks about the advantages of speaking two languages for families, individuals, and society.
How Does Being Bilingual Affect Learning?
The National Center for Learning Disabilities examines how being bilingual affects a child’s learning ability.
A Duke University newsletter shared by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages looks at the advantages of learning a foreign language for children.