380 million people speak Spanish around
the globe. People everywhere have become aware of the importance
of this language which is the fourth most spoken in the world. Spanish
is the official Language not only of Spain, but also of Mexico,
Central America, the Caribbean, and most of South America. Spanish
is the second language in the United States making of it the fifth
largest Spanish speaking country in the world.
Cultural Heritage
In Spain the students learn to speak Spanish and at the same time
they are involved in the daily way of life of a country that has
got one of the richest historical heritage. The great quantity of
traditions, the spirit of the people, the sense of how life must
be taken, makes Spain a place that is difficult to forget.
It is curious to see how many foreigners have settled down in Spain
and the variety of the reasons they give: the friendly people, the
street life, the fantastic weather, the amazing and healthy cuisine.
Culture is present in everyday life and the students will have
the opportunity to see worldwide famous Museums such as the Prado
and Bornemiza in Madrid, Gugenheim in Bilbao, etc… Visit historical
places such as El Escorial, La Alhambra in Granada, and so many
gothic and romantic cathedrals. Almost every single village in Spain
has got a nice church building to admire.
The Arabs stayed in Spain for 8OO years. Some of the features of
the Spanish character has been marked for this. It is also difficult
not to realise the strong influence that the Arab culture left in
Spain specially in the south.
Overwhelming buildings such as the Mosque of Cordoba will give
good example of this.
The countryside has become so popular that numerous tours take
students to remote areas where magnificent landscapes can be enjoyed
and contact with rural traditions will take them to other times.
Spain has produced such artists as Velazquez, Picasso and Dali.
Musicians such as Falla or Granados, or opera masters as Domingo
or Carreras. Spanish fashion and design is known worldwide. Students
will find in Spain more bars, coffee houses per square meter that
in any other part of the world. During the year there are always
festivals in some place of the geography. Old traditions that are
celebrated with such happiness and joy that will captivate the heart
of the students.
The bridge to Latin America and the world
Spain is also a very modern country with an economic situation
of constant development. The Spanish language has shown to be an
extraordinary link with the economy of Latin-American countries.
Trade and commercial agreements in America have increased the importance
of a common language that now, almost every country in this continent
shares.
Around 25 million people speak Spanish in North America and the
society is aware of this.
Spanish companies have established strong roots in the Latin American
economies (telecommunication, tourist, media) and the economies
of these countries are booming and so the importance of Spain and
Spanish in all America and around the world.
Spain is a country which has a peculiar geographical situation.
Being the southern limit of Europe it is also the bridge from Africa
to Europe, and owes to the language the bridge to Latin America.
It is not rare to find European companies establishing themselves
in Spain as a previous stage to jump on the South American countries.
Executives and workers of many international companies come to
Spain to train their abilities in Spanish before they are sent to
fulfil their task to Spanish speaking countries. Studying Spanish
in Spain can be very useful to help the professional future of students
as there are very good schools of Spanish specialised in Business
Spanish or more simple ‘Spanish to work'.
Choose a Location
Apart from the cultural heritage, the weather of Spain is one of
the reasons why Spain is one of the largest tourist destinations
in the world. The student may choose from many locations with different
weather conditions, student atmospheres, historical sites etc.
Historical University cities such as Salamanca or Alcala are places
ranking top for the quality of the teaching and the wonderful university
atmosphere Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia or Malaga and many
more also offer great locations to study Spanish and enjoy the Spanish
culture
Espaņol como Lengua Extranjera
The Spanish Courses offered range from short term courses for students
and business people to longer courses which can last a whole year.
The student may prepare to achieve some of the Official certificates
of The Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain which is known
as D.E.L.E. There are three different Diploma according to the level
achieved (Initial Certificate, Basic Diploma and Superior Diploma).
In addition to them some other important certificates can be obtained
such as the Certificate of Spanish for Business from the Chamber
of Commerce of Madrid and University of Alcala (Basic and Superior).
Spanish, a Language of the future
The Spanish speaking population of the world is growing and the
importance of communication enhances the importance of Spanish.
Many people now enjoy the possibility of communicating in Spanish
after learning it and finding it to be more than a language. The
cross cultural understanding is essential for the future, and Spanish,
a language born and made of the encounters of cultures will ease
this. To learn Spanish in Spain gives the chance to reach a different
approach to life that, whether like it or not, span the view and
criteria so necessary for living.
This article first appeared in Studying Abroad magazine
