Foreign Language Requirement

[OnlySunshine]

I was just admitted to the 4-year university for a Bachelor's in Health Administration.  I'm looking at my degree requirements and I did not take 2 years of foreign language in high school so it is required that I take 2 semesters of language in college.  I tried to take Spanish previously and I HATE it.  I don't know what it is about the Spanish language but I have no interest in trying to take it again.  Thus, I have these options:

 

American Sign Language

Beginning French

Beginning German

Beginning Latin

 

Chinese is definitely not on my list of interests so I am not even counting the Beginning Chinese (I can't even imagine how difficult that would be anyway with all the symbols).

 

I'd appreciate any feedback as to which is a good language and easier to take.  I have a natural interest in European languages (besides Spanish) so I'm leaning towards taking French, German, or Latin.  I've always thought French would be really interesting and then I saw that my school offers Latin so I was wondering if that was easier to learn.  Thanks in advance!

Edited July 5, 2013 by MaterMisericordiae

[Lilllabettt]

I was just admitted to the 4-year university for a Bachelor's in Health Administration.  I'm looking at my degree requirements and I did not take 2 years of foreign language in high school so it is required that I take 2 semesters of language in college.  I tried to take Spanish previously and I HATE it.  I don't know what it is about the Spanish language but I have no interest in trying to take it again.  Thus, I have these options:

 

American Sign Language

Beginning French

Beginning German

Beginning Latin

 

Chinese is definitely not on my list of interests so I am not even counting the Beginning Chinese (I can't even imagine how difficult that would be anyway with all the symbols).

 

I'd appreciate any feedback as to which is a good language and easier to take.  I have a natural interest in European languages (besides Spanish) so I'm leaning towards taking French, German, or Latin.  I've always thought French would be really interesting and then I saw that my school offers Latin so I was wondering if that was easier to learn.  Thanks in advance!

 

Well .... they are all hard, but Spanish is supposed to be the easiest.  French is next easiest, (that's the one I took) German is harder (non-romance.) I thought Latin was very complicated, but it might be easier in that some professors don't make students speak in it; the course is entirely writing and reading.

 

Many times I've wished I learned Spanish because of its usefulness in this part of the world; but of the languages you listed French is the next most useful.

[Nihil Obstat]

If you did not like Spanish, chances are you would not like French either, at least IMO. Latin would be great if you were doing theology, or if you have a deep personal interest in knowing Latin, but otherwise obviously it is only of limited use. German is excellent if you want to do any continental philosophy going forward.

I would think that ASL makes the most sense in a healthcare setting. Although perhaps give a bit of consideration to Chinese.  Obviously they do not expect you to do the impossible, and most everyone starts at the same level of zero experience.

[OnlySunshine]

Well .... they are all hard, but Spanish is supposed to be the easiest.  French is next easiest, (that's the one I took) German is harder (non-romance.) I thought Latin was very complicated, but it might be easier in that some professors don't make students speak in it; the course is entirely writing and reading.

 

Many times I've wished I learned Spanish because of its usefulness in this part of the world; but of the languages you listed French is the next most useful.

 

I really wish that Spanish came easier to me but I tried to take it 2 times and failed because I couldn't understand it.  I also think it had something to do with the fact that I wasn't committed to studying, either.  But, I would really like to try a different language so I don't fall into the same rut again. 

 

Thanks for the input!  :)

 

If you did not like Spanish, chances are you would not like French either, at least IMO. Latin would be great if you were doing theology, or if you have a deep personal interest in knowing Latin, but otherwise obviously it is only of limited use. German is excellent if you want to do any continental philosophy going forward.

I would think that ASL makes the most sense in a healthcare setting. Although perhaps give a bit of consideration to Chinese.  Obviously they do not expect you to do the impossible, and most everyone starts at the same level of zero experience.

 

May I ask why you think French would not be easy for me if Spanish isn't?  Just curious.  I do have an interest in the language of the Church but I'm not taking theology classes.  At least with French and German, I'll be able to use them when I visit Europe in the future.  Chinese is just not an interest at all.  ;)

[Nihil Obstat]

 

 

May I ask why you think French would not be easy for me if Spanish isn't?  Just curious.  I do have an interest in the language of the Church but I'm not taking theology classes.  At least with French and German, I'll be able to use them when I visit Europe in the future.  Chinese is just not an interest at all.  ;)

French and Spanish are just very similar languages. Similar vocabulary, similar structure, similar rules. I have heard Spanish is a little easier, but I would not really know. Whatever you did not enjoy about Spanish, it is likely you would find it learning French also.

[Era Might]

If you did not like Spanish, chances are you would not like French either, at least IMO. Latin would be great if you were doing theology, or if you have a deep personal interest in knowing Latin, but otherwise obviously it is only of limited use. German is excellent if you want to do any continental philosophy going forward.

I would think that ASL makes the most sense in a healthcare setting. Although perhaps give a bit of consideration to Chinese.  Obviously they do not expect you to do the impossible, and most everyone starts at the same level of zero experience.

 

If she's studying health Latin could actually be useful for all the Latin-rooted medical terms.

[Oremoose]

I would say Latin cuz Latin is BA and as ERA said could help on learning the terms.

 

But since you are going to be Administering ASL is more practical and would look nicer on a resume.

[Era Might]

I would recommend Spanish. Will greatly expand your practical options for employment, depending where you live. (If they offer Spanish). Forget about whether you like it or not, ask what will give you a leg up in the job market.

Edited July 5, 2013 by Era Might

[OnlySunshine]

If she's studying health Latin could actually be useful for all the Latin-rooted medical terms.

 

That's an interesting perspective.  I didn't think of that.  :)

 

I would say Latin cuz Latin is BA and as ERA said could help on learning the terms.

 

But since you are going to be Administering ASL is more practical and would look nicer on a resume.

 

That's true.  ASL is a good option and one that I have considered before, however, my concentration is going to be Aging Services because I want to become a Nursing Home Administrator.  I don't know how much ASL I'll need.  None of the residents I cared for as a CNA in a nursing home required an ASL translator.  :)

[homeschoolmom]

French and Spanish are just very similar languages. Similar vocabulary, similar structure, similar rules. I have heard Spanish is a little easier, but I would not really know. Whatever you did not enjoy about Spanish, it is likely you would find it learning French also.

I agree with this. If you didn't like Spanish, you won't like French. I think French is considered "harder" because more letters are silent and it's not as intuitive how to pronounce things. Spanish is much more clear cut in that regard.

 

I would consider ASL or German.

[OnlySunshine]

French and Spanish are just very similar languages. Similar vocabulary, similar structure, similar rules. I have heard Spanish is a little easier, but I would not really know. Whatever you did not enjoy about Spanish, it is likely you would find it learning French also.

 

Ok, thank you!  I did not know this.  I know they are both romance languages rooted in Latin so maybe Latin is the way to go.

 

I would recommend Spanish. Will greatly expand your practical options for employment, depending where you live. (If they offer Spanish).

 

While I agree, I really don't plan to take Spanish again.  Not only because I don't like it but because I would have to pay a tuition surcharge for a 3rd attempt.  :(

[truthfinder]

I'm going to second Nihil in saying that French will probably be harder than Spanish.  I did French first, then some Spanish to fill an elective and Spanish was by far easier.  I would suggest, if you are able to find out, taking a course which has components in writing, reading, and speaking and not just a focus on one.  That way you get a more rounded approach to the language. And from what Era says with the job market, unless you work in Canada, Spanish is more employable.  

[OnlySunshine]

I agree with this. If you didn't like Spanish, you won't like French. I think French is considered "harder" because more letters are silent and it's not as intuitive how to pronounce things. Spanish is much more clear cut in that regard.

 

I would consider ASL or German.

 

Thanks for your input.  :)
 

[Nihil Obstat]

If she's studying health Latin could actually be useful for all the Latin-rooted medical terms.

How much though, really? Fairly limited returns there, by my understanding.
You would almost rather learn ancient Greek, for the practical applications in medicine. :P

[OnlySunshine]

I'm going to second Nihil in saying that French will probably be harder than Spanish.  I did French first, then some Spanish to fill an elective and Spanish was by far easier.  I would suggest, if you are able to find out, taking a course which has components in writing, reading, and speaking and not just a focus on one.  That way you get a more rounded approach to the language. And from what Era says with the job market, unless you work in Canada, Spanish is more employable.  

 

Thanks for your input.  However, like I replied to Era, I would have to pay more for a 3rd attempt at Spanish.  So I'm not considering that.  That did teach me, however, the value of studying and I've made straight As in the last several semesters I've been in school (2 of them were full-time).  ;)