1. Marijuana Is Medicine. Although the medicinal properties of marijuana are constantly debated, the fact is marijuana is helpful in alleviating symptoms and pain associated with many illnesses, plus it is a much safer alternative to many harmful and potentially deadly pharmaceutical drugs. Every day people die from narcotic pain medications but as of 2012, nobody has ever died from smoking or eating marijuana.

2. Legalization Could Kick Start The Economy. If marijuana was treated like alcohol, it could be taxed and possibly help bring this country out of financial ruin. Plus, unlike alcohol, marijuana does not contribute to addiction and possible death. On top of making money through taxes, it could also eliminate the wasteful spending that comes from supporting the dying war on drugs and the DEA.

3. Legalization Would Open Up Space In Prison For Real Criminals. Everyday, harmless and innocent people are placed in jails and prisons just for smoking weed while rapists and murderers roam the streets. In some states, a marijuana smoker can be put in jail for a longer time than a child molester or rapist and this is just wrong. Smoking marijuana is a victimless crime and prisons should be cleared out to make room for real, dangerous criminals.

These are just a few of the main reasons why marijuana should be legal. With the plethora of available information that proves just how harmless marijuana truly is, it is a shame that a common sense approach to the subject of legalizing marijuana has not been made by now. Until the day comes when marijuana is legal, the government will still waste millions of dollars and make criminals out of innocent people and that is what is truly sad about marijuana being illegal.

Even though marijuana is illegal in most states of the United States, there is still the occasional smoke shop that caters to accessories that help to create an enjoyable smoking experience and some of these items can be found at smoke shops. Remember, they are for tobacco use only (wink wink).

                                      

Aside from the language barrier issues, other factors are significant in working with Hispanic public school students.  These are social factors that affect opportunity.  On Nashville television recently, a program aired that addressed those topics.  The following infographic identifies those issues of poverty, health, and education compared against those of white and black students in the United States.

                                      

• They hold jobs.
• Open small businesses.
• Serve in our military.
• Buy products.
• Obtain credit to build credit.
• and much more.

There are around 10.7 million Hispanic households in America.  Most of these families speak both Spanish and English.  As you go one to further your Spanish education, remember why you are doing it.  Being bilingual, especially if that includes Spanish, is something that will benefit you for the remainder of your life.  This holds true too in the fact that the Hispanic population is likely to continue growing and there will be a need in jobs for bilingual representatives and such.

Take a look at some of the demographics of the Hispanic population in the United States and see how they are helping to change America with us.

                                      

Antonio Banderas – The incredible actor Antonio Banderas was born in Spain.  So he knows both Spanish and English.  He played the game of soccer up until he broke his foot and was forced to stop at fourteen.  Lucky for film lovers he made his way into acting.  This man’s unique accent has landed him some great roles.  One favorite of those roles would have to be Puss In Boots from the Shrek films.

Salma Hayek – This woman is beyond bilingual.  Salma Hayek can speak Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Arabic.  And her little girl might only be pre-school aged, but she is already able to communicate in Spanish, English, and French.  Très fabuleuse!

Sandra Bullock – One of America’s sweethearts can actually speak German!  I bet you did not know that.

Bradley Cooper – He made headlines when he did an interview in French.  Bradley Copper added even more appeal when he broke out one of the love languages on television.  Take a look below.

                                      

• Use instructional learning videos.  Videos are great tools for people to use when they are on a mission to learn Spanish.  All types of learners can get something from using videos for teaching.  Visual learners can obviously see what they are learning, and those who learn by hearing can benefit too.
• Listen to instructional audio.  This is a great thing for people to use if they are constantly on the go.  In cars, during a commute, or even while exercising you can listen to audio to help you learn and master the Spanish language.  If you are not the type who is an auditory learner, you can still benefit from hearing the pronunciations and more.
• Make labels.  This trick is one that can help a whole family learn more Spanish.  Use labels or note cards to label everything around the home, in cars, and more in both English and Spanish.  Make sure that if you are the one learning to write it yourself.  Just writing the definitions can help instill it in your mind.  Each time you look at or use an item that you have labeled, repeat the English word and Spanish definition three times.  That can help you to remember the proper word with ease.

Learning Spanish will take some tools, and you might find that you use all of these tools and more to master the language.

                                      

Aside from cultural days when we would bring in traditional dishes of the Spanish speaking country we were learning about, my favorite times in Spanish were watching silly videos and movies.  One year I watched the movie “Meet the Parents” with Ben Stiller in Spanish, and I think it was funnier in Spanish.  Another couple of years we watched an educational Spanish soap opera called “Los Destinos.”  The best video by far was one from YouTube though.  It is the 2nd Semester of Spanish, Spanish Love Song with none other than Erick Estrada.  It makes me laugh, and I think it will make you laugh too.  Enjoy it, and enjoy learning Spanish!

                                      

I found an infographic that displays all the ways that being bilingual can benefit a person, and I think that you will be surprised  to learn a few things.  Some interesting facts are:

• Bilingual people typically make more money.
• Bilinguals are better multi-taskers.
• Latinos who are raised bilingually and biculturally often have higher self-esteem.

There is no reason for you to not pursue that Spanish education that you have been thinking about.  It is time for you to learn a new language and master it so that you can benefit from it.  One other benefit of knowing Spanish is that you can show off to friends.  They will be really impressed with your amazing language skills.

                                      

Flash cards are your new best friend.  Embrace the idea of putting everything down on flashcards.  Blank index cards are the best things to use.  I liked to use a find tipped felt pen so it would smear or fade over time.  These flashcards can stay with you from Spanish I all the way until you finish your education.  Put the English definition of the word on one side and the Spanish on the other.  Periodically go over them even after the exams to be sure that the words stick in your Spanish vocabulary.  This will ensure that you master the language.  You can even use it for conjugations too, and it will help it sink in.

Watch television programming in Spanish or turn on Spanish subtitles for your favorite shows.  I am a nerd and I love watching shoes in Spanish so I can learn more.  At first I had no clue what was going on, but eventually as I kept studying I would understand more and more.  If you cannot handle all of the drama, then just turn on your subtitles for your English speaking shows in Spanish.  You can read it while hearing it in English to help your vocabulary grow.

Stay organized.  This is a tip for any class, but especially for Spanish.  If you are unorganized, then you will not be able to go back and look for certain topics and words for exams.  Typically early Spanish classes are done in sections by topic.  So one week you might learn words related to hobbies, and the next week you might cover foods and grocery.  Keep your assignments and flash cards in order so you always have them to refer back to.