ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Spanish language in the United States

Alright kiddo, so you know how people in different countries speak different languages, right? Well, in the United States, there are many people who speak Spanish as their first language. That's because a long time ago, Spain colonized parts of what is now the United States, like Florida and California, and brought their language with them.

But lots of people in the United States also choose to learn Spanish as a second language because it's really useful! Spanish is spoken in many countries in Central and South America, as well as in Spain itself. So if you know how to speak Spanish, you can communicate with lots of people in lots of different places.

Now, because there are so many native Spanish speakers and people who speak Spanish as a second language, you will hear Spanish being spoken in many places in the United States. For example, in some areas, like parts of California or Texas, you might hear people speaking mostly in Spanish, while in other places, like the Northeast, you might not hear as much Spanish.

In school, some kids might also take Spanish classes to learn how to read, write, and speak the language. And sometimes, if a school has lots of Spanish-speaking students, they might even offer classes in the subjects in both Spanish and English, so that everyone can understand.

So that's why you might be hearing Spanish if you go to different parts of the United States, and why it's useful to learn the language!