There is no other time in history where global interaction and cooperation has been clearly observable as now.  In every aspect of our modern world, may it be in world affairs and security, political relations, trade and commerce, media and entertainment, and culture; no one can deny this phenomenon that is set afoot in every corner of the globe.  Better intercultural awareness is, therefore, necessary to foster greater mutual understanding amongst all nations of the world.  Linguistic competence plays an integral role in achieving this end.

Learning a fluency in the Spanish language opens up doors of intercultural understanding and opportunities with as much as 30 countries spanning over four continents.  It is spoken by almost 400 million native speakers in Spain, Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Paraguay, ranking as the second most spoken language in the world in terms of native speakers.  It is also spoken by a significant number of people in the United States, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Gibraltar, Andorra, the Philippines, and Jamaica, thus making Spanish the third most widely spoken language, after Mandarin and English.  This allows for the equal prominence of the Spanish language in international politics, commerce, and culture.

In international diplomacy, Spanish is used by the United Nations as an official language, together with English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese.  It is also employed as one of the working languages in international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization, International Labour Organization, International Communications Union, and Free Trade Area of the Americas.  This also goes for Mercosur, and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). 

Proficiency in Spanish opens better trade opportunities with the emerging economic markets in Latin America.  Strong economic growth has been observed in this region of the world after years of political instability and a minor economic crisis in the mid-1990s.  Thus, with the creation of MERCOSUR the existence of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI, Central American Common Market (CACM), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the formation of the G3 countries, namely Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, experiences more growth that can ever be expected from this region in the coming years.  As the Latin American economy grows, the region will not only serve as an important business block for the United States and the European Union, but as a major global commercial partner for the entire world.

As Spanish is gaining importance in international business, anyone possessing a proficiency in the language can launch an international career in international marketing and trade, communication, and tourism and hospitality management.  In the United States alone, many companies put a high value on Spanish proficient employees as the number of Spanish speaking customers as well as Spanish owned and operated companies are on the rise.  Currently, 1 out of 10 US residents speak the language, providing a large commercial and business-to-business market.

Learning the Spanish language does not only pose an importance in the global economy, but in travel, cultural understanding, and one’s personal development as well.  Though it is perfectly possible to visit Spain, Mexico, or other South American countries without speaking a word of Spanish, fluency in the language would open more doors and allow for experiences that would otherwise not be presented to other visitors.  Just as well, proficiency in the language can offer a deeper understanding of well-known Spanish culture and traditions, like bullfighting, fiestas, Flamenco, and music. 

It would also present access to a wealth of Spanish literature and publications, allowing for an insight on other people’s point of view and fillings other than one’s own.  The variety of Spanish language newspapers and magazines found in Spain, or South and Central America can offer insight into the thoughts and feelings of the people living there. 

The internet offers the same venue for understanding just as the printed publications do.  And with Spanish being the third most widely-used language in the internet, access to such venues for understanding is right at hand. 

In contemporary literature, the works of Spanish language authors, like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allande, can help paint a picture of the everyday lives and culture of the people living in their region.  Their works, such as “One Hundred years of Solitude”, “Love in the Time of Cholera”, “Zorro”, and “House of the Spirits” have all become critically acclaimed literary pieces.

Finally, a grasp of the Spanish language makes studying other Latin-based languages, such as French and Italian, as well as Russian and German easier as they all share the same Indo-European roots. Background in Spanish is especially helpful for learning Russian and German as they have characteristics such as gender and extensive conjugation that are also found in Spanish, which are not present in English.

With approximately 500 million people speaking the language, and its population still growing, Spanish will continue to advance in its importance as a global language and as bridge for intercultural understanding.  Fortunately, there exists an enormous resource for learning the Spanish language.

The traditional way to learn Spanish, or any foreign language, is to take language classes or courses in tertiary educational institutions, such as colleges or universities, or language centers.  In any location, a student is usually required to attend a class once or twice a week for an hour or so.  The length and frequency of the class meetings depends on the program taken.

The most ideal location for taking up these language classes is in the country where Spanish is spoken.  Classes in these locations create a constant exposure to correct pronunciation, grammar, broadens one’s vocabulary in context, and a plethora of settings for practice.  Just as in courses taken in colleges and universities, courses are available in different levels to match the student’s skill and needs.  In addition to in-class instruction, language centers often integrate an immersion into that particular country’s culture by organizing cultural events or have the student stay with a host family. These immersion programs provide experience for learning more about Spanish dialects, its unique language factors, and the Spanish culture of the region.

One disadvantage in taking up language classes and courses is the time one has to set aside to attend to them.  A busy office executive could certainly not sacrifice precious office time, let alone take a leave to attend language courses abroad.  Fortunately, other language resources exist which affords better convenience and versatility.

First of these resources is the internet.  Before the arrival of the internet, taking up a language class or course is the only way one could learn a new language without having to go to another country where the target language is spoken.  With the internet, the classes or courses offered in tertiary educational institutions can be accessed in the convenience of the house or office.  This service is afforded by online universities.  Just like in a conventional classroom setup, an instructor provides the lesson sequence, assignments, and examinations. 

Several pedagogical methods are used to facilitate learning and deliver instruction in online learning, of which two are most widely used.  The first of these methods is the “purely online courses”.  In this method, the student and the instructor have no actual face-to-face contact, and communication is primarily done through email.  The second method, on the other hand, combines online learning and classroom-style lessons.  This method is called “blended courses”.

Spanish courses are also available outside the structure of tertiary educational institutions.  Independent Spanish courses are found all over the internet.  Like courses offered in universities or language schools, they are just as varied and encompass a wide range of levels, from beginner to advance.  Some also feature an instructor which can monitor the student’s progress, while others are self-contained where an instructor is not provided and the learner progresses on his own pace.  Though some of these online courses are for profit, the bulk of these resources can be accessed for free.

Other resources found on the internet for learning Spanish are MP3 format of courses and pronunciation guides, interactive games and crossword puzzles, and dictionaries.

The internet also offers venues for actual practice and usage of the Spanish language by the learner.  These are provided by chatrooms, forums, newsgroups, and blogs.  Joining these resources provides actual interactive practice and usage with, most often than not, native Spanish speakers.  Topics in these sites vary from Spanish language to hobbies and politics.

The most obvious requirement before anyone can access these resources on the internet is basic computer skills and knowledge in navigating the internet.  Basic knowledge of the English language is also an advantage when accessing these resources as most of the webpages on the internet are in English, even some of the sites for online Spanish courses and chatrooms.

Though the internet may be the ideal medium for tapping into open language resources, it is an unfortunate fact that not everyone has an access to the internet.  These constraints may be due to an inadequacy in economic and technological infrastructure, while others may be intimidated in using the technology.

There are other languages resources which do not require much technical know-how, and one of these are audio books.  Studying Spanish with audio books helps broaden the vocabulary, creates familiarization for correct usage, promotes listening comprehension, and teaches correct pronunciation.  They come in various levels which matches the levels and skills of the learners.  Their usual formats are CD’s, cassette tapes, and downloadable audio files, such as MP3 and WMA.

Audio books play jus as a regular music CD or cassette tape would play in a player.  They afford for better convenience as it can be played in the car while en route to work or played in the background while attending to other things.  Learning is also versatile as the learner can move from one lesson to another on his own pace and comfort.

However, the practice provided by audio books is quite limited to repeating phrases and sentences after the speaker.  It is not interactive and provides limited practice and usage.

Spanish language books are just as invaluable resources for learning the Language.  Their contents are virtually the same as audio books and can also come in various levels.  These printed resources can also broaden the vocabulary, create familiarization, and improves reading comprehension.  However, these resources provide little avenue for practice, it cannot teach correct pronunciation, and motivation to learn is wholly intrinsic to the learner.

Nonetheless, books and other printed materials are ideal options for creating familiarity with Spanish grammar, usage, and vocabulary.  To make the most out of these resources, it is well recommended that the learner should read books and publications that are of interest to him.  A Spanish student has a wealth of resources to choose from, ranging form classic and contemporary literature to newspapers and magazines that are readily accessible through the internet.

Globalization is a trend set afoot in the modern world today, where almost every nation can benefit from continued cooperation and interaction with each other.  As the Spanish language grows in prominence in international business and diplomacy, the mastery of the language is but another step in maintaining the mutual benefits afforded by this global trend.