In recent years, it is safe to say that the world is constantly moving in a direction that promotes the idea of a global society. With the growth of countless technological advancements, it is now easier than ever to connect with people in any corner of the world. We can see this idea being reflected in today’s world, as research done by proved that more people have been taking on Spanish as an additional language, making it the fourth most spoken language in the world. There are approximately 486 million native Spanish speakers in the world, and about 40 million of them reside in the United States. Their research, focused on the years between 2019 and 2023, used information based on Google searches to find statistics related to interests in Spanish, specifically in America. Their findings concluded that during the COVID-19 global pandemic, there was a boost in searches related to learning Spanish. However, it is worth considering if the digital age we now live in is connected to the rising interest in Spanish.
As someone who majors in both Global Studies and Spanish, I am often studying the relationships that take place between people in different cultures, and the intersection that language creates in these settings. This includes studying the differences between how people relate with those outside of their culture and those within, and additionally, how those relationships change when a shared or common language is brought into the picture. This being said, I believe that there is, no doubt, a connection between the increase in people learning Spanish and the fact that this growth took place during one of the most notable times in modern history. There are a multitude of reasons why so many people may have embarked on the quest to learn a new language, and why they may have decided to start during the pandemic of all times. The following are the top three reasons why learning Spanish may be most relevant in today’s world.
Reason number one, I believe, is very evident when we consider when this phenomenon took place. During the height of the pandemic, millions of people were in lockdown, putting a pause on some of the most demanding parts of their daily routines, such as going to work, school, or regular social events. People had more time than usual to do a lot of things. For millions of Americans, one of them was expanding their personal accolades, such as learning a new language. There are many possible reasons why Spanish is the chosen language among the myriad of Americans looking to learn a second language. Most obviously, it could be attributed to the number of Spanish speakers here in the U.S. Also, considering the United States’ proximity to Latin America and the growing number of Latino immigrants, it almost seems a no-brainer that most people would automatically resort to Spanish.
Reason number two, as I stated earlier, has to do with the fact that the internet has afforded us access to millions, if not billions, of people at the touch of our fingertips. Social platforms such as Instagram or X now allow us to meet new people or reconnect with old ones, no matter how near or far. I find it very possible that this great Spanish surge is a result of people making new connections or being exposed to different ways of life through the internet. Whether it be a spark in romantic connections, a new telenovela, or the newest Bad Bunny song that went viral, the online world has given us so many reasons to find new ways to connect with each other.
Finally, I believe the last reason has to do with the fact that there has been a lot of traction on social media surrounding the idea of personal improvement. I find that, in many young people, the idea of expanding their social abilities is a growing concern. Whether it be for career advancement or just another skill to add to your belt, I believe that the rise in interest for Spanish is greatly connected to mainstream culture.
Overall, I think it is safe to say this recent wave of Spanish speakers is undoubtedly connected to the virtual era we live in today. Personally, I am excited by this proliferation of Spanish learners, as a lover of the language myself. Over time, I have found that the ability to speak in a second language not only expands our audience but also our worldview. It allows us to relate and engage with those beyond our cultural spheres, which I have found is a very rewarding feeling. More than anything, however, I think this wave proves that no connection we can create is better than one that ultimately binds us as a human race.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 爱豆传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 爱豆传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.