Learning a second language like Spanish for example, can be a daunting experience for a lot of people especially as many of us decide to learn a language later in life. It is a well known fact that an adult's capacity for learning reduces with age, hence the lack of the term ?adults? in the saying ?kids are like sponges?, but that doesn't mean to say that it is impossible or difficult to learn a new language, in fact it's quite the opposite.

But, why learn Spanish?

The figures tell us that Learning Spanish would be the most sensible option when it comes to choosing a language to learn; it is the second most widely spoken language in the world after English with over half a billion speakers worldwide.

It is the primary language in more than 20 countries and a second language in many more including the US, home to over 40 million Spanish speakers which makes the US the fifth largest population of Spanish speakers in the world, with an estimated 17 million of those unable to communicate in English or at least not communicate very well!

The academic world is split as to the best way a language should be learned, many old school academics still believe that the student should learn the correct structure and grammar relating to a language before moving on to the practical implementation therefore protecting a language's integrity. These purists however, are few and far between, with the vast majority of language scholars now believing that learning how to communicate through verbal interaction speeds up and enhances the understanding of any language let alone Spanish.

So what is the best way to learn Spanish?

It all depends on your circumstances really, many towns and cities provide Spanish classroom courses at local schools and colleges at a cost but with peoples? hectic schedules nowadays these are not always the most viable option. Immersion courses, although growing in popularity, are only suited to specific groups, namely students and retired people, as they rely on relocation for a set period of time. They are however, excellent courses teaching not only language interaction but social interaction, as you are required to take part in everyday life in Spanish communities.

The easiest way and by far the most common method of learning Spanish, is to use an audio/visual interactive course. There are many of these available nowadays, many of which are downloadable over the internet, they are extremely affordable and give the added benefit of being able to fit in around peoples? hectic lives allowing you to study when you are able to study.

Once you begin learning Spanish you will be amazed at just how much can be spoken with a limited vocabulary of 4000 to 6000 words and many of these words are very similar to their English counterparts making learning them that much easier.

It is a good idea, once you're more capable at speaking and understanding Spanish, to then do a course that is more academic that will teach you the structure and grammar of the language. You will find that this knowledge will be vital when you begin to communicate through the written word as well as the spoken.