Which language to take?

Question

Next year, my friend will probably take a language course. She doesn't know what to take, though. She wants to learn a lot of peices of different languages, but she doesn't whether to take Latin or somthing else to start! HELP HER!

Answer 1

What about Rosetta Stone? They are supposed to have great courses.

I've heard it' s a good program. :) - Jason7R, Jan 5, 2010

Yeah but she has to take it in school. thats the problem! - Selena_Gomez2, Jan 5, 2010

Answer 2

LATIN

Latin is the basis for many languages. It helped me understand English so much better and I have a basic grasp of legalese and medical terms as well. The idea of conjugations, gender, and all that are in Latin. It also helps just a tad in math based courses.

HOWEVER

Latin is a dead language and it is rare that a teacher will make their students even try to speak the language. If your friend's goal is to actually learn some languages it would be best to pick one language course and stick with it for at least two semesters (4 if we are talking high school). Once you learn one language, you start picking up others faster because you understand how to learn another language. And if you pick something related, like going from Spanish to Italian, there are enough similarities that you already have a basis for understanding.

I checked your profile and I am guessing that your friend is in high school or around there. Make sure you take at least 2 semesters of a foreign language while it is showing up on your transcripts (ie high school or a very early college credit). This is very important for getting into a decent college.

Answer 3

I would like to encourage your friend to take one language. You can research it yourself (or your friend) to see that this is the best way to learn a language. If you try tibits of many languages you will not be proficient in any. I would, personally, go by my interests and choose a language like that. When I was in middle school I had some friends from Puerto Rico and from Mexico. Those places really interest me so I took spanish. If your friend fancies Paris or Madrid or...then take up that language if there is no preference I would suggest Spanish or Chinese (most abundant languages in the world). This is assuming she knows English. I hope this helps. FIND YOUR passion and go with it!!!