Which foreign language should you study?

Which foreign language is best to study?

In Russia, as in many other parts of the world, people are accustomed to learning English. It is considered the international language, and people believe it is the most widely used. But is that really the case? Which language is the most widespread, and how do you make the right choice? If you haven’t decided yet which foreign language to pick for a hobby, I’ll help you with this important question.

According to the latest statistical data, Spanish is one of the most popular languages to learn. It is particularly relevant for residents of the UK and North America, which is not surprising, as Spain borders South America, making it much easier to connect with neighbors. Therefore, if you’re interested in South America, Spanish will definitely come in handy. And if you already speak English alongside Spanish, you’re in the right place!

South America, with its beautiful landscapes, amazing beaches, and abundance of fruits (not to mention its unique cultural heritage), is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Russians and Europeans alike. By the way, the locals assure us that the situation in some countries is much better than it used to be, except for Venezuela, where the situation still remains tense.

So, what’s the takeaway?

With knowledge of Spanish, traveling becomes easier!

With Spanish, you can actively travel throughout this beautiful continent. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and the most popular on social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. It is also an official language in 21 countries, and about 24 million people worldwide are learning Spanish as a foreign language.

Here’s the list of the most widely spoken languages in the world by native speakers:

Chinese: 1,197 million speakers
Spanish: 486 million speakers
English: 380 million speakers

Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn, as its phonetics and pronunciation are much simpler than English. When traveling in Spanish-speaking countries, it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll meet someone who speaks English, so knowing Spanish will definitely be useful.

Is Spanish phonetics difficult?

There are a few letter combinations to remember, and they might seem tricky at first, but after just a couple of weeks, you’ll be reading perfectly without mistakes. This is a stark contrast to English, where, despite years of learning, many people still make pronunciation errors and forget proper transcription rules.

In Spanish, it's important to remember that the two consonants "LL" are pronounced as the sound [y]. For example, *paella* in Spanish is pronounced /paéya/ (the Russian version is "паэлья").

Also, remember that the letter "h" at the beginning of a word is silent (just like the word "hour" in English [ˈaʊər]):
- *hago* /aɣo/ means "I do" or "I engage in". Example: *Yo hago deporte* – "I do sports" /Yo aɣo deˈpoɾte/
- *Honduras* (the country) is pronounced /onˈduɾas/.

Benefits of learning Spanish

Another great advantage of learning Spanish is the ability to enjoy and understand beautiful Spanish songs. The themes are very simple. They revolve around, first and foremost, love, and secondly, divine themes like joy, holidays, relaxation, sun, sea, and, of course, summer. These songs will lift your spirits and might even help you see the world from a different perspective. They will encourage you to live in the present moment, freely, naturally, in harmony with yourself, nature, and those around you.

For native Russian and English speakers, Spanish will feel like a "sweet treat," as it uses Latin letters, and its grammar and sentence structure are quite logical. Moreover, there are many familiar words, such as: biblioteca (library), planeta (planet), volcán (volcano), cocodrilo (crocodile).

I hope I’ve helped you make the choice for the most practical, dynamic, and love-filled language.

Join us for Skype Language lessons, and you’ll learn how to read from the very first lessons. The teachers at our online school will create an unforgettable atmosphere for you, and you’ll be forever grateful for the time they share with you. You’ll be immersed in the Spanish Galaxy, where you will shine like the brightest Star in the sky of the world’s most beautiful languages.

With love,
Ekaterina Schneider, teacher, poetess.
I write about love. Only love can save our world.