| Recently the United Kingdom has seen an | | | | happens to have the largest population of Spanish |
| increase in the number of students moving away | | | | speakers in the world, but according to the 2000 |
| from the more traditional languages of French and | | | | census, Spanish is already spoken by 12% of the |
| German and instead they are opting to learn | | | | US population, which means the US has the fifth |
| Spanish. The reason for this shift is the popularity | | | | largest population of Spanish speakers in the |
| of the 'Colombian Songbird' Shakira, as she is | | | | world. This is in complete contrast to the UK |
| often regarded to on the internet. Well, that is | | | | which is quite insular where learning languages are |
| what we are expected to believe if we were to | | | | concerned and this is highlighted in recent figures |
| take everything that is written in the newspapers | | | | that reveal drastic reductions in the number of |
| as gospel! | | | | students taking languages at secondary, higher |
| Personally, I find it difficult to believe that a pop | | | | education, and university levels. |
| star can have so much influence over an entire | | | | However, although the overall picture is bleak for |
| country's student body, especially when it is | | | | language study within the education system in the |
| regarding the choice of which language to learn. If | | | | UK there is indeed room for some optimism when |
| that were to be the case we would have seen an | | | | considering the increased number of students |
| increase in Spanish students a long time ago in | | | | opting for Spanish. Rather than popular culture, |
| tune with the massive popularity that other | | | | there are a number of more likely reasons why |
| Spanish speaking singers and celebrities enjoyed | | | | this switch to Spanish is probably happening and |
| at one time or another; Antonio Banderas, Salma | | | | they are: |
| Hayek, Penelope Cruz, Julio Iglesias (yes, | | | | - A greater number of teachers available that can |
| remember him) Ricky Martin and more recently | | | | now teach Spanish |
| the extremely popular Enrique Iglesias, son of the | | | | - Greater freedom of choice for the student |
| aforementioned Spanish swooner, and I'm sure | | | | doubled with government policy change in 2004 |
| there are many, many more. | | | | that made languages non compulsory to 14 year |
| The fact is, although Shakira is extremely good at | | | | olds and over. |
| what she does and is very popular with men and | | | | - Stronger bonds with Spain due mainly to the |
| women and not always for the same reasons, I | | | | fact that a large percentage of British people |
| think labeling her as the catalyst for the recent | | | | holiday each year in Spain, which is also home to |
| changes to language education in the UK is a little | | | | over 1 million expats |
| extreme. However, that isn't to say that popular | | | | - Spanish culture is seen as being much more |
| culture cannot change and shape a society, and | | | | appealing and far more accessible than other |
| influence choice...remember the Beatles? | | | | European cultures. |
| However, learning the Spanish language has been | | | | Adult language education, on the other hand, is |
| on the increase for many years now, irrespective | | | | one area that is increasing year on year, and it is |
| of popular culture, and for a lot of people it is | | | | Spanish once again that is increasing in popularity, |
| unquestionably the first language of choice to | | | | especially in the 40 - 60 age group that one can |
| learn, but why? In the US it is easy to assume | | | | only surmise are preparing for retirement in |
| why this would be the case as not only does the | | | | sunnier climates. |
| US share a border with Mexico, which just | | | | |