Argentina - Argentina, the right destination to study Spanish

Spanish is spoken all over the world by more than 400 million people and it is the second language spoken at an international level right after English. Such circumstances make learning this language a must for those people wanting to penetrate the job,communications and tourism market at a worldwide level. Nevertheless, they are not the only ones for whom learning this language is regarded as paramount. As a matter of fact, studying other languages in situ has turned into a highly profitable branch for tourism- known as a tourism language-oriented branch- associated with the pleasure derived from knowing other societies´ culture and idiosincracies

The number of people choosing Argentina as the destination to learn Spanish is increasingly growing year after year. In fact, the percentage of students wanting to study Spanish soared from 17.000 in 2006 to 25.000 only in 2007. The months recording the highest number of Spanish students are February, July and August.

There is a vast array of variables accounting for such a noticeable increase. Generally speaking, Argentina attracts tourists because of its strong academic tradition, a proliphic offer of cultural and touristic activities, an advantageous exchange rate, and the fact that it is regarded as a safe country providing both modern and traditional alternatives.

The number of venues to study Spanish has grown significantly thus comprising study centres all around the country. According to the Secretariat of Tourism, the number of national educational institutions offering Spanish programs for foreigners went up by 137% during the 2005-2007 period. Not only are there private language institutes to learn this language, but there are state universities currently offering Spanish courses, as well.

The scope of classes available is simply enormous ranging from short and crash courses to those that are annual or specific goal-oriented, whether they are focused on working, professional, touristic or academic objectives. Another way to learn Spanish is learning it while being involved in any another activity such as voluntary work, tango lessons, sports, rural or adventure tourism, or health-related activities. Apart from teaching classes, each language institute generally  provides students with several options to choose from so that they can easily find accommodation and have access to cultural events.

Another motivating type of factor to study Spanish in Argentina is that students are awarded a Certificate of the Spanish Language: Language and Use (CELU), that is to say an accreditation granted by the Ministery of Education and Foreign Affairs of Argentina that asseses the command of Spanish as a second and foreign language.
This exam is taken twice a year in some local universities and students can also sit for it at several venues in Brazil. It stands as the best-rated accreditation, according to the report drafted by the Secretariat of Tourism.

The language-oriented tourism involves the inflow of over 26 million dollars into the country. Most students come on their own. That is why it is not surprising that 98% of the language institutes own their own web site thus rating the Internet as the quintissential tool when it comes to searching for Spanish courses. It is also interesting to point out that 86% of the students coming to study Spanish in Argentina do so via a word-of-mouth system, that is to say, those students who have already gone through the experience of studying in this country recommend that others should have the same experience as well. This referral system definitely shows the great satisfaction that students derive from learning Spanish in Argentina.