10 Best Places in the World to Learn Spanish

Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, second only to Mandarin Chinese. It also is the officially language of 22 countries in the world, and for about 322 to 400 million people worldwide, it is their first and native language. Additionally, about 500 million people total worldwide speak Spanish. That means at least 100 million people learn Spanish as a child, in school or as an adult.

Considering how many people speak Spanish in the world and how many countries claim it as their official language, it is no surprise so many people choose to learn it. The fact is, the fastest and most effective way to learn a new language is through immersion. Classroom lessons to learn grammar structures and spelling provide a strong foundation, but it is the regular practicing and immersion that solidify someone’s language skills. Below are 10 of the best places around the world to learn Spanish. Some qualify as the "best" because there is little to no English spoken in the country, others for the history or friendliness of the people, and still others for the quality of the language.

Colombia: The purest Spanish is said to be spoken in Colombia, and many beginners find the proper pronunciation and sing-song tone easy to understand.

Mexico City: The country with the most Spanish speakers in the world is Mexico, and Mexico City is the country’s most populous.

Costa Rica: Live the "pura vida", and enjoy nature and interact with locals while learning Spanish. People are considered very friendly, and little English is spoken in many remote towns.

Mallorca: This Spanish island is tranquil and picturesque, which makes for a relaxed place to learn the new language.

Puerto Rico: For those more comfortable in an environment where Spanish is widely spoken but Spanglish also is well understood, Puerto Rico is the place to go.

Ecuador: This is an ideal place for immersion, because in many parts of Ecuador, especially the more rural areas, English is hardly spoken.

Salamanca: One of the oldest universities in the world is here, and the city's smaller size make it a relaxed, intellectual place to learn Spanish.

Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America is a fun, vibrant place to learn Spanish, though Argentine Spanish does vary considerably from that of other countries.

Panama: This up-and-coming destination is a great place to live, work and learn Spanish, and the locals overall are very friendly and welcoming.

Madrid: Some of the best Spanish-speaking universities are located in this city, and it also has a slew of cultural activities that are easy to partake in, as well as institutes with language courses, such as St Georges Spanish courses.

For those who are unable to travel or move internationally but still desire to learn Spanish London, New York or whatever town or city you are living in also can suffice. Just seek out a quality tutor or institute and get to work. Supplement your classroom time with conversational practices at language exchanges or nearby cultural institutes; perhaps the university closest to you also offers courses and activities.