Spanish is the fastest growing second language in the United States and it is also maintaining its clout in many other parts of the world. In the United States, 41% or more of the general population speaks fluent Spanish. This can be attributed to the close-proximity that the US has with Latin America not to mention the culture ties that it shares with its Spanish neighbors. The percentage of 41% translates to a formidable number and not to mention that since the US is the leading industrial power in the world, this Spanish-speaking block represents billions of dollars worth of goods and services. No wonder many businesses are scrambling cater to this ever-expanding market. This means businesses can no longer ignore this segment and their customer service departments are now fielding experiences Spanish-speaking representatives. Because of this, many people are learning the Spanish language because a multilingual job applicant has more of a competitive edge that a non- Spanish speaking applicant.

Why are people scrambling to learn Spanish? One of the reasons is because Spanish is the largest growing language in the United States and other countries as well. One need not travel far before he or she sees the numerous Spanish restaurants, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. The Spanish culture is deeply entrenched in the United States and learning Spanish makes communication better.

Another reason why people are making the switch to learn Spanish is because in this tight job market, being multilingual is definitely a great asset under your belt when searching for a job. It is also no secret that Spanish-speaking reps are paid more than their counterparts who are not multilingual. This is the edge that many are looking for because with the slow economy, there are more job seekers seeking fewer jobs than there were a few years ago.

If you are a business person, knowledge of Spanish gives you an edge over your competition because it opens your horizons to more business from the Spanish-speaking segment of the population. It also ensures that you successfully attract Spanish-speaking employees. There are a variety of ways to learn Spanish. One of them is off-course to interact more with Spanish-speaking people. Another is to enroll in Spanish classes at your local community college or training center. This option can be expensive and time-consuming because you may need to spend more time in class before you graduate and there is no guarantee that you will learn everything. The other way is to acquire Spanish-learning software such as Rosetta stone, Fluenz, Instant Immersion and more. This software has become very popular because it is interactive, intuitive and also visually engaging. The software costs anywhere between$20 and $400 but there are many varieties in between. Many people are going the software route because it is convenient to learn Spanish in your spare time and at your own pace. The software is also a fraction of the cost of attending Spanish-speaking classes which may also take a long time to complete.