1. ¿Porqué estudiar el español?

2. ¿Porqué no? Why not ? Here is a *short* list of reasons you might want to learn Spanish…

3. ¿Te gusta la música? Did you know that the modern classical guitar was invented in Spain in the 1850s? The word guitar comes from the Spanish word guitarra, which came from the medieval Arabic qitara, which in turn came from Latin cithara, which came from Greek kithara, which came from Ancient Persian sihtara. ¡Olé!

4. ¿Te gusta la música? That means that modern rock was hugely influenced by Spanish music. Not only that, but tons of other styles of music and the instruments used to play them come from different Spanish- speaking cultures.

5. ¿Te gusta el canta? The list of great Hispanic singers is endless, and they are known for their incredible passion. Eventually you might want to write lyrics to your own songs in Spanish…

6. ¿Te gusta el baile? Speaking of music, its common knowledge that dance is a huge part of practically every Spanish-speaking culture! Para bailar la bamba…

7. ¿Te gusta el baile? Learning different styles of dance can improve your technique and rhythm immensely. You can learn traditional dances or mix elements of them into your own styles.

8. ¿Te gusta el arte? Ever heard of Pablo Picasso? Does Dalí ring a bell? What about Frida Kahlo? These are only a few of the worlds great painters who come from Spanish-speaking cultures.

9. ¿Te gusta el arte? http://www.mariscal.com/ http://www.catalinaestrada.com/ For graphic and media artists, knowing another language can open so many doors! You can make international connections and travel the world with your work…

10. ¿Te gusta el teatro? Classic plays such as La Celestina and The Barber of Seville are performed internationally, even today. Also, learning a new set of sounds (like the ones well be using to say Spanish words) is great practice for your e-nun-ci-a-tion skills!

11. ¿Te gusta la comida? Take it from a comelona, Spanish-speaking cultures have some of the most de-li-cious dishes. Have you ever wanted to try something new on a menu, but didnt know what it was or how to order it? Dont worry, well take care of that…

12. ¿Te gustan los deportes? Even though soccer is the #1 sport in most Spanish-speaking countries, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLL!!!!!! Ahem… Sports like basketball and baseball are commonly played in places like Argentina y la República Dominicana.

13. Whatever your interests may be, knowing another language – especially Spanish – can introduce you to many new perspectives and opportunities. Now, take the time to reflect on why you might want to start learning Spanish. How can learning Spanish help you to achieve your own goals, both personal and academic?