Portuguese third-most studied foreign language in Extremadura, Spain; may move to second / Portugués, lengua «estratégica» para Extremadura

Spain and Portugal, with the region of Extremadura in Spain in red.

Studying the easily-learned language of your closest neighbor to gain a strategic advantage makes sense to me.

For what happens when Spanish and Portuguese are used side-by-side long enough, see Portuñol/Portunhol.

Si Portugal es de interés estratégico para Extremadura, también lo es la lengua portuguesa, que al presidente Fernández Vara le gustaría que se convirtiera tras el inglés en la segunda por número de estudiantes.

If Portugal is of strategic interest for Extremadura, then so is the Portuguese language, in that president Fernández Vara would like to see it switched to second place after English by numbers of students.

El portugués «hay que declararlo como lengua estratégica para Extremadura», dice el presidente en vísperas de su visita a Lisboa. Para ello hay que extender su enseñanza tanto en la formación voluntaria (escuelas oficiales de idiomas, universidades populares) como en la educación reglada desde primaria.

Portuguese "should be declared as a strategic language for Extremadura", said the president on the eve of his visit to Lisbon. To do this its study must be extended both in volunteer training (official language schools, public universities) as well as formal education from primary school.

Actualmente el inglés es la lengua extranjera más estudiada, después el francés y en tercer lugar el portugués.

Currently English is the most-studied foreign language, followed by French and Portuguese is in third place.

El asunto de este último debería someterse a un debate público para después fomentar su enseñanza; en la radiotelevisión pública extremeña emitir programas en portugués, etc.

The latter (Portuguese) should undergo a public debate for how to later promote its study; to broadcast programs in public radio and television in Extremadura, etc.

Portugal a la vez quiere incrementar la enseñanza allí del español.

Portugal at the same time wants to increase the study of Spanish there.