| Spanish as a First or Official Language | | | | Dominican Republic |
| Often, when I teach or speak before of group of | | | | In Central America |
| English language teachers in Latin America, I like to ask | | | | If you though only Spanish is spoken "south of the |
| the question, "How many countries are there which | | | | border", you'd be wrong. There are three countries |
| have Spanish as a FIRST or OFFICIAL language?" | | | | which use English as a first or official language. There |
| "You ARE all native Spanish speakers, aren't you? I | | | | are fifteen countries with Spanish as a first or official |
| say, teasing them a bit. A few minutes then pass as I | | | | language. They are:o Guatemalao Honduraso El |
| wait for the group to "sweat it out". | | | | Salvadoro Nicaraguao Costa Ricao Panama |
| By the way, how many of these countries can YOU | | | | In South America |
| name? | | | | Passing from Central America into South America as |
| Then, mercifully, I offer a response after taking an | | | | you head south from Panama, these countries have |
| assortment of guesses ranging from half a dozen or | | | | Spanish as a first or official language.o Colombiao |
| so to fifteen or fifty. The following countries each have | | | | Venezuelao Ecuadoro Peruo Boliviao Chileo |
| Spanish either as an official or first language. | | | | Argentinao Uruguayo Paraguay |
| In North America | | | | In Africa |
| The North American continent, home to only three | | | | I know what you're thinking. Africa? There are no |
| countries, has two of them with Spanish as a first or | | | | Spanish-speaking countries in Africa! Oh yes there are |
| official language.o United States (oh yes, it is!)o Mexico | | | | - there's one. Surprised? So was I. Most people are. |
| In Europe | | | | The only officially Spanish-speaking country in Africa is |
| In Europe, one of the world's great melting pots, | | | | (drum roll, please):o Equatorial New Guinea |
| several countries claim English as a first or official | | | | So Why Learn Spanish? |
| language.o Spaino Portugal (by the way, Portuguese is | | | | Spanish has been a widespread and useful "Lingua |
| in the same language family as Spanish) | | | | Franca" for centuries. It still is. So when your Spanish |
| In the West Indies | | | | as a foreign language learners ask, "Why learn |
| In the West Indies or Caribbean, formerly a virtual | | | | Spanish?" you'll have some new ammunition with |
| hotbed of colonization, several island nations have a | | | | which to respond to them as a foreign language |
| form of spoken English.o Cubao Puerto Ricoo | | | | teaching professional. |