The official languages of Puerto Rico are Spanish and English. Spanish is the most spoken and written language in Puerto Rico, and it has been the official language of the island since the 15th century when Spanish settlers took over the island. English was introduced after the US seized Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898, and it was declared the second official language of Puerto Rico in 1902. However, Spanish is the dominant language in Puerto Rico, and the vast majority of Puerto Ricans do not use English regularly other than some borrowed English words in their ordinary Spanish speech. According to the 2000 US Census, fewer than 20% of Puerto Ricans speak English fluently. English is taught in all Puerto Rican schools and is often a requirement for employment in many companies, so most of Puerto Rico’s residents are bilingual.