In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate in multiple languages has never been more crucial. The language of Spanish stands out in particular for its widespread global influence and diverse cultural richness. Learning Spanish is not just about fulfilling your language credits, rather it is an investment in personal and professional development.
Wakeland offers Spanish courses from Spanish One through AP Spanish Literature and Culture. The head of the Spanish department at Wakeland, Señora Segalini, discusses how learning Spanish has a positive impact on the problem-solving skills and cognitive development of students.
“It helps a lot because you’re using parts of your brain that you otherwise wouldn’t be using, which reinforces the ability of your brain to create more neurons because they [need] to process information and figure out how best to deliver the message that they want to deliver,” Segalini said. “There’s a lot more brain power involved when you have to [comprehend and communicate] in another language.”
Beyond its practical benefits, the beauty of the Spanish language lies in its melodious sound, rhythmic flow, and poetic expressions. It is often described as a language of passion and emotion and is known to be a beautifully expressive language.
“I love my culture. I think Spanish is one of the most beautiful languages,” Segalini said. “When we’re talking, it sounds more like a song.”
Though there are challenges involved with learning a new language, such as grasping its grammatical structure and its vocabulary, persevering past these struggles contributes to personal growth and problem-solving ability. For students, these valuable skills are helpful in many other aspects of their lives as well, especially in other classes.
“No matter what industry they go into, it’s more beneficial and it’s to their advantage to know more than one language,” Segalini said.
Students at Wakeland not only recognize the practical advantages of learning Spanish but also express a genuine appreciation for the language. The allure lies not only in its cognitive benefits, career preparation, and intrinsic beauty but in the community it fosters. Señora Segalini’s sentiment resonates with students who appreciate the language’s harmonious nature, often considering Spanish as an enticing subject to explore in a positive atmosphere. This emotional connection contributes to a love for the language, making the journey of learning Spanish at Wakeland a delightful and enriching experience for students.
“I think Spanish is [an] important class to take because it helps students learn another language, which is beneficial in the future [and in] interactions with other people,” junior AP Spanish Language and Culture student Sophia Martinez said. “It also exposes students to other cultures they may not be knowledgeable about. Overall, it’s a fun class that helps students make a lot of friends.”
