Should i get qualified in Spanish?

Question

I speak more or less fluent Spanish due to traveling & living in Spanish speaking countries although i have never studied it.

I am wondering if I got a degree in Spanish, wether or not it would open up new job opportunities for me, and whether already knowing the language I may be able to fly through the qualification in less time than normal.

Can anyone advise me as to whether or not its worth doing this?

And also how many years would it take to do a degree in the Spanish language?

Answer 1

I guess it will depend on how important having the skill is to future employment. Speaking spanish and being capable of writing it are two different things, I can converse in Spanish but have great difficulty writing it.

Answer 2

You might get bored learning the basics.

Answer 3

It all depends on what you want to do in the future.  However I do think that having a second language behind you and being fluent in speaking and writing is admirable and a gateway to greater things.  

Even if you get into business marketing...being fluent in Spanish would give you global opportunities and even put you in charge of other markets.  

My mom taught herself spanish at 58 years of age and she is not the South American Sales Manager and travels all over.

Answer 4

I can tell you that if you already are fluent in the language (fluency includes writing, reading, speaking and understanding when spoken to) you may have what it takes for companies to recognize that. Depending on what you want to do, of course. For example if you´re in business and you want that extra language, which is ALWAYS advisable, especially Spanish which is like 3rd lang in the world, it always fluctuates between English, Chinese, and Spanish as to the top 4 or 5...and is almost vital in the US, probably being fluent and capable of speaking, and negotiating will be enough. However, if you already know it, you could get your bachelor´s in Spanish. I´m at Bowling Green State U in Ohio and our Spanish program has a test you would take to see where you place...unfortunately the highest you would be placed into is called 351...which means 2 more grammar classes, 2 lit classes, 3 civ classes, and 4 400 level classes of your choice. However, this is only the requirements in the Spanish field...you must also do all of the gen eds, pick up a minor, etc. If you plan on going to a University and majoring in something else, you could definitely do a double major sin problema, but if you already have a bachelor´s, why not look into Spanish grad programs?

The majority of grad programs have assistantships, which means you teach a 101 class and they don´t charge you tuition, PLUS they give you a stipend to live on...this is at least true of our program, although I´ve heard there are a lot out there...plus my school sends you either to Mexico (Xalapa) or Spain (Alcala de Henares, right outside of Madrid) for the first year, gives you the stipend, and then you come back your 2nd year, take grad classes, teach a low level class, and work on either a project of your choice or a thesis...it´s a great program, and I´m sure there are others out there as well. This way, you not only have a masters, but you can now translate, teach (to some extent), definitely be considered bilingual, etc. Plus it´s only 2 yrs out of your life, one which is spent in a foreign country (if you choose this program) Like I said, there are lots of programs out there, so just look into it and I´, sure you can find one that suits you, and in 2 yrs you can have your masters and open a few more doors.

Suerte!