Studying Spanish can be very useful in many areas of your life.

Jobs--The number of Spanish-speaking people in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years and continues to grow. People who are bilingual will have an advantage when looking for a job and may also earn higher salaries.

Travel--There are many beautiful Spanish-speaking countries. If you want to travel, knowing some Spanish is extremely helpful. Not everyone you meet will necessarily speak English, even in popular tourist destinations. People will respect you more if you at least try to speak their language. Think of all the places you can visit if you know some Spanish!

Language skills--Knowing another language helps you better understand your own. You will have a greater awareness of word patterns and grammatical structures.

Life skills--There are many skills you will use in Spanish class which are useful in other areas of your life, even if you don't continue your Spanish studies:

Listening--Listening when other people are speaking is very important. Listening to someone speak in Spanish forces you to concentrate in order to be able to understand. Focus on trying to improve your listening skills in Spanish class; this will help you to be a better listener in other areas of your life.

Reading--Reading is a skill that is very helpful in other classes and when taking standardized tests. We practice reading frequently in Spanish class.

Cooperation--You will be working with partners and groups in Spanish class. This is a skill that you will need during your whole life in school and at work.

Preparation--In order to do well in Spanish class, you must be prepared with appropriate materials, as well as prepare yourself for tests and quizzes by reviewing your material. This will help you learn to be organized and plan ahead.

Risk-taking--Learning another language can be intimidating. You should try to relax and not be afraid of making a mistake when you speak. This will help you to have more confidence to try new things.

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