<p>Hi, I am an incoming freshman, and I'm interested in taking a foreign language. I'm planning on double majoring in Business Administration and Political Science, so I want to take foreign language for enjoyment more than intensive study. How many semesters do most people take of a foreign language? Do students usually continue for all 4 years?</p>
<p>In addition, I took 5 years of Spanish already (went up to Spanish LitAP) and 3 years of French (but I skipped French 3 and went up to French LangAP). What levels should I enroll in if I want an easy class without being too bored?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If you want an easy class, I wouldn’t recommend foreign language classes at Berkeley. They tend to be difficult and time consuming.</p>
<p>ahh. I heard that foreign language classes were easy! Veechi and Pick a Prof show a really heavy distribution of "A"s. Regardless, I’ve enjoyed language study the past 5 years, and unless it’s a major pain, I’d love to continue.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback, anyone else?</p>
<p>It’s not that the classes themselves are tough, per se, just that they require an awful lot of work. Almost all of them run 5 days a week for an hour, and that includes daily assignments, regular quizzes, a midterm and a final examination, plus perhaps one or two small projects.</p>
<p>They are not for the faint-hearted or those very poor with language skills, but they aren’t hard.</p>
<p>thanks for your feedback! how many semesters do most students continue one language for?</p>
<p>^^Yes, this is my point.</p>
<p>“Most students”? It’s hard to say, as there really isn’t a “most students.”</p>
<p>Some go just long enough to fulfill whatever requirements they’re hoping to fulfill. Some go long enough to start taking classes for a minor in the language (reaching upper div courses, taught in the language – usually 2 years of a modern language). Some go for fluency (depends on who you are). Some do it for grad school (varies, but usually the same as going for a minor). Some do it to be introduced to the language (1-2 semesters).</p>
<p>It really, really depends.</p>
<p>ETA: This is not universally true of foreign languages as taught at Cal. Latin, for example, is only 2 semesters of lower division work before you hit upper division reading/composition classes. German has courses with 2-3 days per week of instruction. Etc.</p>
<p>ahh okay thanks. I guess I was just interested in taking 2-3 semesters but didn’t know if it was worthwhile or a waste of time/units.</p>