WHY SPANISH

WHY LEARN SPANISH

Traditionally, learning a new language meant that you could land up a job with an embassy or the tourism sector. But, with globalization the companies in the IT sector, Pharmaceutical sector, MNC banks and export houses are looking for large number of people who can work with them as language experts.

From TCS to Satyam to Indian Companies who have opened development centers or acquired companies all across Latin America. Further, India also has Spanish companies setting up businesses in India including Inditex Textile Company, Agroalimen. India’s trade with Latin America had increased by 45% in 2008 while India’s exports increased by 40%. India’s exports to Latin America have increased by nearly 6 times in the past 10 years from 1996-1997 to 2005-2006. However, the demand for Spanish speaking talent easily exceeds the supply for them.

An article dated June 2, 2008 in Business Standard named “BPOs hunt for German, Spanish speaking execs”, mentions, “With a large number of companies from non-English speaking European countries eyeing India for outsourcing work, business and knowledge process outsourcing companies have started hunting for people proficient in Spanish, German, French and other foreign languages to support the clientele.” The article further points out that a language expert’s salary could be 25 per cent to 40 per cent more than their English speaking counterparts.

For those who worry that they would end up with voice jobs, BPOs have a lot more work profiles to offer. With the knowledge of a foreign language, you could easily land up a translation job or if you are good, you may land up with a profile that involves both, technical and language support.

Moreover, for those of you who worry that recession will rob India of its job. Rest assured. An article dated June 3 2009 in NY times says, ”Outsourcing is here to stay. Some of America’s biggest companies continue to invest in India even as they trim costs at home”. Students already have the advantage of English. This coupled with a working knowledge of Spanish can help individuals tap into the job opportunities in the outsourcing industry.

However, what if you are not planning to work anytime soon and would rather go abroad? If you are planning to go to the United States, Spanish would be of great help especially since it is spoken by more than half of the people in the American continent. There are more Spanish speakers than there are speakers of French, Hawaiian and the Native American languages combined.

According to a survey carried out by Modern Languages Association, USA, interest in language study has been increasing steadily in the United States. Further, in United States alone more than 52.2% of all language enrollments have been for Spanish.

For those who do not wish to go to United States, as a romance language Spanish can open the doors to communication with millions of people who speak other romance languages.

Even if you do not want to go abroad, knowledge of a foreign language always has an advantage. Companies always go in for candidates who have a working knowledge in a foreign language, so why shouldn’t you learn something that is easy to learn? After all, Spanish is one of the few languages that is almost completely phonetic making it easier to write!