| Spanish is undoubtedly the growth language in the | | | | language schools in Spain offer extra-curricular |
| world at the moment; it is now spoken by an | | | | activities and excursions to assist with this process. |
| estimated 352 million people as a first language (with a | | | | The whole experience of a foreign country adds to |
| further 417 million speaking it as a second language) | | | | the excitement, not only do you get the chance to |
| making it the second or third most widely spoken | | | | learn Spanish but you also get the chance to discover |
| language in the world. Hispanic nations are also | | | | beautiful cities (like Barcelona, Madrid or Seville), sample |
| showing strong economic growth so the potential for | | | | the joys of Spanish cuisine first hand and experience |
| work opportunities in Spanish speaking countries for | | | | the warmth and good nature of the Spanish people. |
| those learning Spanish, is increasing everyday. Spanish | | | | Language schools such as Babylon-Idiomas ( offer |
| is now arguably the second most influential language in | | | | learning centres in four major Spanish cities (Barcelona, |
| the world behind English and in all is spoken in 21 | | | | Madrid, Seville and Valencia) as well as in Costa Rica |
| countries around the world. South America, with the | | | | and Argentina as well - all very diverse and extremely |
| exception from Brazil, is entirely Spanish speaking, as | | | | different environments in which to learn a language |
| well as areas of Africa, the Caribbean and an ever | | | | and all with their own cultural nuances and wonderful |
| growing Hispanic community in the USA. Which such a | | | | sights to offer; from the eco-tourism and amazing |
| huge and diverse Spanish speaking world community, | | | | wildlife of Costa Rica, to the majestic architecture of |
| it's without a doubt one of the most useful languages | | | | Gaudi's "Sagrada Familia" in Barcelona. |
| to learn - a Spanish language course could open up | | | | It is important to remember, however, that spoken |
| many opportunities in terms of work and travel | | | | Spanish is not identical in the different regions of the |
| throughout the Spanish speaking world. | | | | Spanish state. In fact, its pronunciation and lexical |
| Spanish language schools in Spain and South America | | | | characteristics can vary to a very significant extent |
| offer students more than just the opportunity to study | | | | from one place to another. However, the maintenance |
| Spanish in the classroom. The concept of cultural | | | | of a unified, standard, version of the Spanish language |
| immersion encourages students to extend their learning | | | | and of its written form is guaranteed by the Real |
| to outside the classroom. Students get the chance to | | | | Academia de la Lengua Española. The Academia |
| interact with locals in everyday situations whether it's | | | | sets the rules to follow in order to speak and write in a |
| simply ordering some food or attempting a full-blown | | | | way that is accepted by all the different Spanish |
| conversation on the day's issues. This is also a great | | | | speakers. |
| help in giving students a solid cultural grounding, many | | | | |