Shakira Denies Learning English to Scale US Charts  1/30/06

Colombian pop star Shakira has denied suggestions she learned English solely to break into mainstream music charts - instead insisting it gave her the freedom to travel and explore the world.

The Whenever, Wherever hit maker has been an established singer in South America since her teens, before scaling the British and American charts in 2002 with her first English-language album Laundry Service.

But the sexy hit maker - who has only been speaking English for five years - claims her motivation was purely intellectual.

She says, "It's about being exposed to new cultures. It's about building bridges.

"It's also given me an opportunity to grow as a person.

"People say you are what you eat. I prefer to think that you are what you've seen and the people you've been with.

"Being able to travel is one of the greatest things that has happened to me."