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[criscodisco99]

i want/need to learn a language at some point. Which should i try over the summer/spring?

I'm leaning French

Comments

[littledem89]

Depends. Most of the federal employees who have come to speak to the program I'm in pretty much just say that you should be fluent in a useful language. The big ones that are really beneficial right now are Chinese, Arabic, Russian and Farsi. Also, I've heard that majoring in Arabic will pretty much guarantee you a job with the government.

Also, before you start one, think about which region you eventually want to work with. I've been taking Spanish for 5 years which I have realized has pretty much been a waste of time because I want to do development work in Africa...hence I am staring French this summer.

[bluedingo444]

I second everything Kristi just said.

But french is still a winner in my book.

[hallock]

You need to decide what areas of the world you are leaning towards, like if you're considering working with the EU it would be wise to learn either German, French, or Turkish. Arabic and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese spoken) are becoming staples of foreign affairs nowadays.

My best advice though is to go with your instinctual desire, because seven years of Chinese will teach you nothing if you are not really interested in it.

Depending on where you go to school, you should consider enrolling in an intensive language unit. They require a great deal of work, but after two years you're close to mental fluency. Also realize that your speaking skills will be far out-paced by your cognitive skills for about three-four years.

[moonfoam]

Learn French with me.
I'm going to try to test out of it over the summer so I don't have to take it at Loyola.

I've taken 2.5 years, so hopefully I can review enough over the summer.