With globalization and a more competitive job market, Spanish is getting more attention from students around the world. It’s the second most spoken language in North America, is spoken not only in Spain and most of the American continent, but also in some parts of the Philippines, some Caribbean islands, and many other areas around the world. Spanish is constantly growing in popularity through music, popular culture and the increase in Latin population. For this reason, Spanish immersion programs have gained popularity in every Spanish-speaking country and thousands of people are choosing to participate in said programs.
While there are many reasons to learn Spanish, some of the most popular include:
- If you learn Spanish, you will stand out from the crowd in a very competitive job market.
- You will be able to apply for jobs around the world and have a great opportunity to improve your work profile and to get to know other cultures, which you can get a head start with a Spanish immersion program.
- As the Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing in the U.S. and many people come from Spanish speaking families; you will have the opportunity to meet more people and create strong relationships with the community.
- Spanish is considered a very beautiful language used to inspire, captivate and wonder. It is no surprise that Hollywood has chosen Hispanic actors to star in many unforgettable flicks.
As the famous psycholinguist Frank Smith said, “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
Let’s move on to 4 ways of how to learn Spanish
Here are 4 simple steps of how to learn a new language like Spanish:
- Online courses: You can find a wide range of languages courses online. The only requirement is to have internet access and spare time to keep up with lessons. Although this is a good alternative, online learning may not be as enjoyable for some since you will be sitting in front of a computer and interacting with only your instructor. Dominating a language requires social interaction.
- High school: Learning Spanish through classroom instruction is the most traditional way for many. However, this kind of training is not very effective. The reason is because in order to completely learn a language, students have to talk to people outside class, this means consistently interacting with Spanish speakers in real-life situations.
- Home tutoring: Learning Spanish with a private teacher allows for a deeper understanding of the language that can be tailored to each individual. Unfortunately, this kind of instruction doesn’t come cheap, with most instructors charging very high hourly rates. The method lacks direct contact with multiple speakers, which one would get by learning Spanish abroad.
- Costa Rica Language Academy: This is probably the best option you have for truly learning Spanish. Here’s why:
Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA) is a private institution, specializing in Spanish language instruction. They know the importance of learning Spanish first-hand, that’s why lessons at CRLA go beyond classrooms and textbooks. CRLA include extracurricular activities such as:
- Conservation volunteering projects
- Costa Rican cooking
- Latin dance
- Home stay programs
Costa Rican Spanish Academy is proud to offer a wide variety of immersive Spanish studies abroad for individuals, groups, and even faculty-led groups of high school or college students. They provide one of the best opportunities in the world for students of all levels to learn Spanish directly from native speakers, while living in a Spanish-speaking country and soaking in its culture.
But that’s not all they do.
CRLA is dedicated to improving the lives of fellow Costa Ricans, while offering their students further opportunities to expand their language skills and gain valuable work experience, while helping the community or environment. They can provide connections to a wide variety of Costa Rica volunteer programs throughout the country in different fields.
If want to learn Spanish abroad while enjoying an unforgettable experience, contact CRLA to learn more.