Why learn Spanish you ask? Why not learn Spanish is more like it!

Okay, yes we all have a myriad of excuses why we can’t do something but do we have the same amount for why we can? Maybe we should think about things that way…

The trend is that the Hispanic population is ever changing and increasing. This is quite the “tender” topic these days-I’m fully aware. Why can’t they learn English? How long did it take you to learn English? Personally, I’m still working on it.  Besides that, the Spanish language is a HUGE part of the Hispanic culture.  In addition, think of it this way:

You are learning Spanish as you are traveling to Spain on business. It’s difficult and down right embarrassing at times when you hear yourself, right? But, you plug along ever so determined to somewhat master it and be able to communicate beyond successfully asking someone where the bathroom is. You arrive in Spain and are feeling confident as you are able to navigate your way to your hotel, inquire about nearby restaurants and figure out how to use  public transit.

You are in town for an important business meeting. Problem? Nah! Look at you-you are THE Spanish speaker. You make your way to the meeting and seat your self at the conference table brimming with pride and then the meeting starts…holy crap! what are they saying? Is this Spanish? Or did they not tell you the meeting was going to be conducted in Greek-because that is what it sounds like to you. You’ve lost your confindence and you are fumbling, stumbling and sinking faster than a bottomless boat. But then, an angel appears in the room-SOMEONE WHO SPEAKS BOTH SPANISH AND ENGLISH! You are grateful, you are exuberent, you are once again feeling comfortable. Sweet sweet English! You sit through the meeting and are even able to throw in a few Spanish phrases here and there but don’t miss a thing because you have the English translation to piece together what you’ve missed.

Okay, now back in the United States and to the issue at hand. Spanish speakers may have little/minimal English experience. They have business to give you and money to spend but are so limited due to the language barrier. That is where learning Spanish comes in…learn the language, lower/eliminate the barrier. Speaking to a foreigner in their native language creates a comfortable environment-it creates trust. How can you trust someone if you don’t know what they are saying?

Did you know…?!

The immense buying power of the nation’s Hispanic consumers is reshaping the retail and commercial landscape of the United States, and Selig Center projections reveal that Hispanics will control about $686 billion in spending power in 2004. In fact, Census 2000 showed that more than one person in eight who lives in the U.S. is of Hispanic origin. Moreover, the U.S. Hispanic population will continue to grow much more rapidly that the non-Hispanic population. By 2009, nearly one person out of every six living in the U.S. will be of Hispanic origin.Over the nineteen-year period, 1990-2009, the nation’s Hispanic buying power will grow at a dynamic compound annual rate of 8.2 percent. (The comparable rate of growth for non-Hispanics is 4.9 percent.) In sheer dollar power, Hispanics’ economic clout will rise from $222 billion in 1990, to $504 billion in 2000, to $686 billion in 2004, and to $992 billion in 2009. The 2009 value will exceed the 1990 value by 347.1 percent—a percentage gain that is substantially greater than either the 148.5 percent increase in non-Hispanic buying power or the 158.8 percent increase in the buying power of all consumers. U.S. Hispanic buying power will grow faster than African-American buying power (203 percent) and Native American buying power (240 percent), but will grow at the same rate as Asian buying power (347 percent).

In 2009, Hispanics will account for 9 percent of all U.S. buying power, up from 5.2 percent in 1990. Due to this relatively brisk growth, Hispanic buying power ($923 billion) will exceed African-American buying power ($911 billion) in 2008.
Of the many forces supporting this substantial and continued growth, the most important is favorable demographics, but better employment opportunities also help to increase the group’s buying power. Because of both higher rates of natural increase and strong immigration, the Hispanic population is growing more rapidly than the total population, a trend that is projected to continue. Between
1990 and 2009, the Hispanic population will increase by 121 percent compared to 14.1 percent for the non-Hispanic population and the 23.7 percent gain for the total population.

The relatively young Hispanic population, with more of them either entering the workforce for the first time or moving up their career ladders, also argues for additional gains in buying power, which will be even more important in this decade than in the 1990s. In 2000, 35 percent of the Hispanic population was under age 18 compared to 26 percent of the total population, and the median age of Hispanics was 26 compared to 35 for the entire population. Clearly Hispanics’ spending patterns will determine the success or failure of many youth-oriented products and services. The increasing number of Hispanics who are successfully starting and expanding their own businesses is another potent force powering the growth of this consumer market, as evidenced by the 1.2 million Hispanic-owned firms in the U.S.

Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth’s The Multicultural Economy, 1990-2009

Times are changing. Its hard to imagine trying to learn a second language, but get your feet wet! There are many great Spanish products on the market. I offer customized one-on-one lessons. If that doesnt work for you, choose an avenue that does. Check out my website: allseasonslessons.com and click on “Resources”. If you don’t find what you are looking for, drop me an email: Megan@allseasonslessons.com

This blog is under development . . . Thank you for your patience . . .