Why Study Spanish?
Spanish is a major world language. It is the language of over 400 million people in over 20 countries and the second most spoken language in the United States. Hispanics have recently become the largest minority in our country and will comprise a quarter of the U.S. population in just a few decades. For these reasons Spanish is the most studied foreign language in the country and there is a high demand for people who can communicate in Spanish, as well as for people who can teach it.
Native speakers of Spanish are encouraged to continue their studies of Spanish at the undergraduate level in order to acquire professional-level writing skills in Spanish and to deepen their knowledge of Hispanic literatures and cultures, much like native speakers of English who continue to study English composition and literature in college.
Choosing to major or minor in Spanish can result in employment opportunities in many areas such as business, government, health or social services, in addition to teaching, translating and interpreting, especially when combined with a minor or a second major.