<p>The problem with picking languages for anything other than enjoyment is that you're trying to predict the future. Most people will never interact with China in a business setting, nor will they even interact with Europeans--making Spanish arguably the most pragmatic language possible to learn.</p>
<p>If you're interested in Europe, and you somehow foresee yourself working in consulting or working in Europe, then German is the most useful--over French, which is easier to pick up. Russian is great if you want to speak the language of a country we'll probably end up in another pseudo-war with. Here's the thing with languages: you don't magically remember everything. If there's a language you like, if there's a culture you like, if there's a language you can see yourself interacting with--you need to study that language. Studying German or Chinese or whatever for potential business interaction 10 years down the road is wasting time, because you're going to need to relearn German or Chinese or whatever 10 years down the road. You won't remember a language you learn in your junior year in college, just like no one remembers the French they learned in high school.</p>
<p>I totally agree with tetrishead.</p>
<p>if u really want to you can pick up ANY language by living in that country for a year or more...so I don't think that's a huge issue</p>
<p>Language pros and cons:
Chinese - China is prolly gonna become economic superpower and pretty much all major businesses are moving parts to China. However, don't think that learning Chinese will give you an upper hand in dealings with China since there are soooo many chinese ppl in america that can speak fluently and flawlessly in english and chinese and that pursue high degrees of education
Spanish - there are a lot less spanish speakers that pursue high level of education (not trying to be racist) so spanish may give you an upper hand in business...but then again the hispanic world is not growing as fast as China/India
French/Italian - these are just kickass languages that sound sexy as hell and make you look smart cuz you can speak it but i dont really see that big of an advantage since like everyone in france and italy learns english anyway
Russian/german - um i actually have no idea i think these languages would be useful in business since they arent that wide spoken here but once again german and russian kids learn english so you would be nothing special</p>
<p>So basically if you're looking to to gain an upperhand in business i really dont think learning a language would do that. Maybe it would facilitate business dealings with foreign countries but even that is kinda unlikely bcuz its incredibly hard for non-chinese ppl to be successful in china if they are not super successfull already in the U.S.</p>
<p>If you really want to learn a language learn it for fun and to impress ppl and to maybe gain respect in that foreign country but other than that i dont think it will suddenly open many doors for you (you can always get a translator too)</p>
<p>ok if my above post doesnt sound very coherent it CUZ IM TIRED :)</p>
<p>If you want to stay in the US, then spanish is the most useful foreign language...although it's not really a foreign language anymore.</p>