Why Your Child Should Be Learning Spanish!
By Wendy Díaz
Maryland

For many Muslim children attending public schools in the West, the curriculum calls for taking a world language to meet graduation requirements or to choose a foreign language as an elective. When it comes to learning another language for Muslim parents of any ethnicity or background, the obvious choice is Arabic, the language of the Qur’an. However, Arabic is not among the world languages offered in elementary, middle, or high school grades in public schools. Thankfully, Arabic may be taught at home, online, or through Islamic centers. When it comes to school, the most practical and widely spoken language to consider is Spanish. It not only offers significant advantages but is increasingly essential in today's world. Even if your child is homeschooled or attends an Islamic school, incorporating Spanish into their curriculum is equally important. And the earlier, the better. I know because not only am I a native speaker, but also a former Spanish teacher. 

Dedication to Teaching Spanish

My journey as an educator and writer has always been deeply intertwined with the Spanish language. From my early days as a Spanish teacher at South Brunswick High School in New Jersey to my time tutoring English and Spanish in Cairo, Egypt, where I lived for a year while studying Arabic, Spanish has remained at the heart of my work. I taught students at all levels, from beginners to advanced, guiding 9th through 12th graders to discover (albeit sometimes reluctantly) a language that expanded their horizons and brought other cultures to life. 

After I moved on from classroom teaching, I worked as a translator and editor for Islamic non-profit organizations like WhyIslam, where I served as the Spanish content coordinator for over a decade. This role has allowed me to engage with the Spanish-speaking Muslim community, developing resources that bridge cultural and linguistic gaps and helping to build a greater understanding of Islam within the Latino community. 

My early experiences working as a special education assistant at Severn Elementary School, supporting students in Spanish classrooms at Baltimore's Polytechnic High School, and tutoring limited English proficient students through the Education Based Latino Outreach program allowed me to discover the transformative power that language education holds. It can open doors and build bridges of understanding between different groups. Over the years, my passion for teaching Spanish has only strengthened, mainly through my work with my family's non-profit, Hablamos Islam. We create educational resources for the ever-growing number of Latino Muslim families, including bilingual children's books that reflect the unique experiences of our community. This endeavor has reinforced my belief that language is not just a tool for communication but a means of identity formation, cultural preservation, and connection.

When I first began teaching Spanish, my mission was clear: in an increasingly diverse society, students must learn foreign languages to develop tolerance, cultural awareness, and global perspectives. I endeavored to give students the skills to succeed academically, professionally, and socially. I wanted them to leave my classroom with linguistic skills and a broader outlook on the world and their place within it. Now, my writing is my teaching, and the page is my classroom. With that said, I want to speak directly to you, dear readers, about the importance of allowing your child to learn Spanish. 

Why Your Children Should Learn Spanish

As Muslim parents and our children's first educators, we are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding them not just spiritually but academically. In today's interconnected world, learning Spanish does more than just equip children with a new language—it opens doors to understanding different cultures, creates connections with Spanish-speaking Muslims, and helps foster empathy and respect for diversity. These are core values in Islam.

The main objection I often hear from Muslim parents is that their children should focus on Arabic first. While Arabic is undoubtedly essential for understanding the Qur’an and deepening their Islamic knowledge, there is no reason why they cannot learn both Arabic and Spanish simultaneously. In fact, being multilingual offers numerous cognitive, academic, and social advantages. In many parts of the world, it is common for people to grow up speaking multiple languages—tribal languages, the official language of their country, and additional foreign languages taught in school. By learning Arabic and Spanish, your child will gain a distinct advantage, broadening their worldview and giving them the tools to excel in a diverse, global society.

If you are still not convinced that your child should be learning Spanish, here are some other reasons to consider:

1. It is the second-largest spoken language in the world.

According to the Cervantes Institute, the largest organization in the world promoting the study and the teaching of Spanish language and culture, Spanish is spoken by over 580 million people globally, 1 making it the second most widely spoken language after Mandarin Chinese. By learning Spanish, your child will be able to communicate with a vast number of people, giving them a significant advantage in an increasingly globalized world. Whether it's for travel, business, or building relationships, speaking Spanish opens countless doors.

2. It is the most studied and spoken language in the US other than English.

According to the US Census Bureau, Spanish is the most widely spoken language other than English in the country. The Hispanic population is the largest minority group in the United States and Spanish was the most common non-English language spoken in US homes (62%) in 2019. 2 Your child will likely encounter Spanish in everyday life, whether at school, in the community, or at work. Learning Spanish ensures they are prepared to interact with one of the largest linguistic communities in the US.

3. There are Spanish-speaking countries in four continents.

Spanish is the official language in 21 countries across four continents—North and South America, Europe, and Africa. Learning this important language gives your child the opportunity to connect with people and cultures across a wide geographic range. Whether they are traveling for leisure or work, knowing Spanish will allow them to communicate easily and appreciate the rich diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures.

4. The Spanish language has been heavily influenced by the Arabic language.

Many people do not realize that estimates suggest anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 Spanish words have Arabic origins, a result of centuries of Muslim rule in Spain during the Andalusian period. If your child is already learning Arabic, they will likely find many similarities in pronunciation and vocabulary, making Spanish easier to pick up. Understanding this connection can also deepen their appreciation for both languages and the shared history between Islamic and Spanish cultures. Unlike Arabic, however, Spanish is written using a similar alphabet to English, with mostly the same letters, along with a few additional ones like "ñ" and the use of accent marks. This familiarity can make learning to read and write Spanish less challenging for children who are already comfortable with the English alphabet.

5. Hispanic heritage shares historical ties to Islam.

The Muslims living in Islamic Spain significantly contributed to art, science, education, literature, and other fields. By learning Spanish, your child will gain access to this rich history, allowing them to explore Islamic heritage in the Spanish-speaking world. They can engage with Spanish literature, history, and even visit historical sites tied to Islamic civilization in Spain and beyond, further enriching their understanding of Islamic history.

6. Knowing Spanish will open more career opportunities in the future.

In today's competitive job market, being bilingual is a highly sought-after skill. With the US having a large Spanish-speaking population and Spanish being a global language, fluency in Spanish will give your child a significant edge in fields such as business, healthcare, education, law, and international relations. Employers in nearly every industry value employees who can communicate with diverse communities, and knowing Spanish will give your child the versatility to thrive in various careers.

7. Your child can participate in Spanish dawah and earn countless rewards.

Learning Spanish can also enable your child to participate in spreading the message of Islam to Spanish-speaking communities. With the growing number of Latino Muslims and Spanish-speaking non-Muslims showing interest in Islam, your child can be a bridge, helping others learn about Islam in a language they can understand. This offers an opportunity for great reward, as educating others about Islam is a communal responsibility, and sharing the message of Islam with Spanish speakers can bring blessings to future generations. 

There are even more reasons why learning Spanish can benefit your child—and it can be something you explore together as a family. Perhaps you have Spanish-speaking relatives, friends, or coworkers, and learning the language will help you build stronger relationships with them. Or maybe someone new will come into your life, and learning Spanish will help you communicate more effectively. Multilingualism does not just provide an academic or career advantage, it allows for more profound connections with those around us and enriches our personal lives.

As Muslim parents, you have an incredible opportunity to equip your children with skills that will benefit them in this life and beyond. Learning Spanish offers them access to new cultures, strengthens their understanding of Islamic history in the Spanish-speaking world, and even opens doors for dawah. In an increasingly interconnected world, your child stands to benefit immensely by becoming multilingual. As you guide them on this path, remember there is nothing to lose and much to gain.

End Notes

Spanish, a language spoken by 580 million people, and 483 million of them native - Blog del Instituto Cervantes de Londres Blog del Instituto Cervantes de Londres .

What Languages Do We Speak in the United States?

(Wendy Díaz is a Puerto Rican Muslim writer, award-winning poet, translator, and mother of six (ages ranging from infant to teen). She is the co-founder of Hablamos Islam, a non-profit organization that produces educational resources about Islam in Spanish (hablamosislam.org). She has written, illustrated, and published over a dozen children’s books and currently lives with her family in Maryland. Follow Wendy Díaz on social media @authorwendydiaz and @hablamosislam. https://www.soundvision.com/article/why-your-child-should-be-learning-Spanish )