1 Powerful insight will transform your reasons to learn Spanish for ever!

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If you think you learn Spanish to travel or live in Latin America, you are doing much more than that! You are embarking on a journey far beyond that, and that deserves recognition. Language shapes our perception of the world, granting us greater insight into others, and fostering a more profound understanding and acceptance of differences.

In this blog post, I will show you how language learning goes beyond language to give you a broader understanding of the world and cultures different from yours. It will show you the importance of continuing to learn Spanish and make you proud of who you are becoming in the process.

Not only are you strengthening neural connections and potentially staving off Alzheimer’s, but you are also gaining an insider’s perspective on how others view and interpret the world. Isn’t that amazing?

This article from Harvard University titled: “What comes first, language or thought? illustrates how language differences, particularly between Korean and English, lead babies from the United States and Korea to notice and develop an interest in different objects. It’s definitely worth a read.

As an English and Spanish teacher, let’s cross-reference this with both the English and the Spanish worlds. If you’ve been with me in Spanish class for a while, you’ve likely learned (and perhaps dreaded) the distinction between “ser” and “estar.” English uses a single verb, “To Be”, to express aspects of identity, like being American, tall, brunette, or outgoing, the same way it refers to temporary states, such as being hot, cold, wet, or dry. This fundamental difference tends to go unnoticed by English speakers. Essentially, if it’s the same word, it feels synonymous in the mind.

How your Spanish speaking friends see themselves and their emotions.

Consider how your mental framework may differ when you separate intrinsic characteristics from transient conditions. What if your language and culture had taught you from day one that being “Canadian” (or any other nationality) was fundamentally distinct from experiencing emotions like sadness, happiness, anger, or excitement? How would that shift in perspective influence your view of the world and, most importantly, of yourself?

One of my students, who is a psychologist, recently shared that she plans to explain this distinction to her English-speaking clients. This understanding can be liberating; you are not your sadness; it’s a temporary condition that will pass.

This simple example demonstrates how language acts as a lens through which we view reality. Let me now show you how this looks like from Spanish to English and share with you a personal story.

The moment I learned how my English friends see the world.

During my time as an aspiring ESL teacher at university, one of the most challenging areas was writing classes. I frequently received critique on my work, often marked with huge red notes saying “Wordy, not to the point.” As a type A student, I returned home disheartened, questioning how I had failed again despite countless hours spent mastering forms, vocabulary, and grammar.

Eventually, after time, patience, and a few work and travel experiences in the U.S. that immersed me in the culture, it became clear: I was writing with a Spanish mindset. Spanish tends to be more elaborate than English. You see this when you translate a text from English to Spanish. The word count inevitably increases. Spanish culture often approaches thoughts less directly, whereas English is more straightforward, which I find simplifies communication. Once I understood this mental shift, my writing became more concise and, at last, worthy of a passing mark in college.

How to become better versions of ourselves through a second language.

Now, imagine stepping into someone else’s shoes and viewing the world through their lens. Isn’t that a remarkable opportunity to cultivate empathy? It’s a beautiful and valuable chance to say, “Oh, I get it! This is why you think and act as you do! It’s because of how you perceive the world!”

This, alongside many other examples I will share soon, is why I do what I do. I understand how both English and Spanish-speaking cultures perceive the world. I often see people close to me unable to grasp other’s perspective, leading them to criticize or judge or even worse, complain. It’s heartbreaking to witness individuals from both backgrounds miss the chance to form friendships, partnerships, or community bonds because they are trapped in a self-righteous, limited worldview of one language, missing out on the enriching experience of understanding others through speaking their language. I can see this potential, but I can’t assist anyone unwilling to be helped.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support you! Thank you for being part of a community that strives for understanding, empathy, and a richer world.

As part of my mission to make our continent bilingual, I have created free Spanish lessons you can find in my Youtube Channel. You can also get tips on how to study Spanish better in my blog AND you can sign up to our upcoming group lessons! Check them below.