french survey

[paxchewy]

I'm trying to do my Spanish homework, but I'm having trouble with it and am not very motivated. So I started thinking about how at least I don't totally suck at French, and how I'm glad that I started with French so long ago. I got to go study abroad and have fun, and also, I have the opinion that it's better to take French than Spanish anyway. No offense to people who took/take Spanish- if you like a language, go for it no matter what other people say. But I think the idea that Spanish is more "practical" is mistaken. If you're a native English speaker in the US, it's very difficult to achieve the level of fluency that would rival a native speaker- my point being, you're probably not going to get that job for a "bilingual" person over a native speaker, no matter how much you study. For me, I think French has more advantages because I can be (nearly) bilingual in a language that is used in Europe, West Africa, North Africa and the Caribbean (and Quebec I guess). Then I can get jobs because I'm qualified in a language that not as many other people speak. Or at least I hope I'll get a job.

Anyway, I'm curious as to how many people in the US took French in high school or college. If anyone reading this has a minute, leave me a comment telling me your level of familiarity with French, using the handy scale that I have devised for this purpose*:

1- Clueless
(What do you mean, the last letter is silent?)

2- American Tourist
(Bonjour, madame. Où est le bathroom?)

3- Canadian
(I took French in school but have a horrible accent.)

4- Exchange Student
(I could pass for French but my American clothes give me away.)

5- Native Frog
(I am a member of the Académie française.)

*Oh, the things I do to waste time when I don't want to do homework...