You can always study both French AND ancient Greek, you know. No reason you can’t use some of your elective hours for language study.
And to be a bit blunt, the fact that you’ve waited until you’re being forced to fulfill your requirements to take a language suggests to me that while you like the idea of knowing one you’re really not that interested in pursuing it. Which argues strongly for French again (since you have an introduction already and a potential practical use to get you through the boring parts).
I’d like to ask a question for all the posters in this thread:
How fluent will a student become after 4 semesters of study , in each of the languages ?
(assuming you start from absolute zero,like a child, and don’t know an alphabet other than English)
I would say that for French…a typical American student will be able to function well.
Not well enough to close a business deal-- but able to sit quietly at the table with others who do the deal.Now- suppose he picks up a newspaper (equivalent to the New York Times weekend magazine): He will be able to read news articles about who won a recent election easily. But to read an in-depth, 3-page long editorial analysis about how the political parties manipulated the electoral system–with difficulty*.
In all the other languages mentioned, I’d say that after 4 semesters, our student will be unable to function well.
If he is present while businessmen try to close a deal , he won’t even understand what’s going on.
And if he tries to read the newspaper, it will be difficult to understand a short article about the election, and impossible to read the in-depth analysis.
Am I right?
*my reasoning: journalists usually use short, direct sentences with simple grammar when reporting facts.But when a professional pundit writes an analysis about manipulating the election, he uses a longer, more complex style of writing.
I’d say that depends on whether the instruction was focused on spoken conversation or reading written texts. The trend in language pedagogy for quite some years now has been to emphasize the former. I’ve always sought the latter, though. I like reading and I’m shy rather than outgoing.
I find this a bit odd. Why learn a language you don’t intend to use?
Even if it’s just so you can read “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy in the original Russian, that would at least be an application.
If your not going to apply it, why bother learning?
My college degree requires 6 credits of a foreign language. Usefulness in real world applications is really heavily weighted in my decision. And besides, as someone else said, most business can probably be conducted in English.
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And to be a bit blunt, the fact that you’ve waited until you’re being forced to fulfill your requirements to take a language suggests to me that while you like the idea of knowing one you’re really not that interested in pursuing it. Which argues strongly for French again (since you have an introduction already and a potential practical use to get you through the boring parts).
[/QUOTE]
To be a bit blunt, I was more focused on taking the classes associated with my major. I held off on foreign language because I wanted to make sure I was taking one I would enjoy. I know you’re trying to be helpful but I can’t help but feel a little judged.
I’d say Hebrew.
This is true, but I can tell you that my Japanese has been very valuable in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. I know for a fact that Chinese would have been a great benefit too had I stuck with it. My Swedish, on the other hand, I only use with my mother or if I am visiting Scandinavia, and not so useful. But that’s me. Business man based in Asia.
You really should consider how useful it will be for you. Of the one’s you have listed, I would put Russian first, followed by Arabic and then French if you are studying for a business degree.
French, Russian and Greek if you are pursuing Science.
French, Greek and Russian if arts.
Arabic, Russian and French if you want to be a journalist.
You know, this would be easier if you told us what degree you are pursuing.
Interdisciplinary Studies. I’m doing a custom program called Game Science. Basically, it’s learning how to create and use games to solve real-world problems and help treat mental illnesses.