<p>I've read a number of CC posts about which foreign language to take college but no one seems to share my situation. So I was hoping someone will recommend a language for ME.</p>
<ul>
<li>I'm fluent in English and Chinese meaning I can speak/read/write both so taking Spanish or Japanese would be equally hard.</li>
<li>I want to study abroad in Europe but since I will likely be majoring in business, I may be working in an asian country.</li>
<li>Took latin in high school but did not excell.</li>
</ul>
<p>Also here are my top choices:
Asian - Chinese (upper level literature) or Japanese
European - French, Italian, Spanish</p>
<p>See why I need help? I have no clue what I want to take.</p>
<p>Well, being able to speak English and Chinese pretty much sets you for life linguistics-wise. Therefore, I think you should just choose whatever language you want to take.</p>
<p>If you're already fluent in Chinese and English, why not take Spanish? :)</p>
<p>Spanish is the most practical.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>You can also learn Portuguese in a snap, which I think is an underrated language in terms of global importance.</p>
<p>Spanish is a great choice but which dialect do they usually teach? Spanish from Spain, Mexico, or another Latin American country.</p>
<p>Also taking four years of Latin should put me a great place to take Italian. But knowing Chinese is also a great advantage in learning Japanese.</p>
<p>So I guess I'm down to Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.</p>
<p>Depends on your teacher and book. Here, probably Mexican.</p>
<p>I say take Chinese. The Chinese economy is rapidly growing and gaining power and influence. It will be a greater asset to be able to communicate in the language of a country who is gaining global prominence and power unlike the countries that speak Spanish such as Mexico, Spain, etc. The bottom line is, who are you planning to talk to in the future?</p>
<p>I think they mostly teach castillian (spain) spanish. It's pretty much the same as mexican spanish except it has the vosotros tense.</p>
<p>
[quote]
So I guess I'm down to Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd take Spanish because it offers the most "bang for the buck". Whereas Italian and Japanese are limited to their respective countries, Spanish is widely spoken in three continents (North America, South America, and Europe), thus greatly enhancing your travel experiences. It's also an easy language to learn, and it opens the door for learning Portuguese which will allow you to enjoy Brazil should you ever go there.</p>
<p>In my spanish class, I'm getting a bit frustrated..........how in the world can't I follow their conversations (i mean the videos we watch at classes once in a while!) This feeling has just made me reluctant to take Spanish courses as long as I can follow (and maybe even speak) Spanish! Nah, I ain't failing the class yet (A+ till now :D)</p>
<p>Asian!
I know Chinese too-- I'm taking Arabic this summer!</p>
<p>ooh, if you like Europe and are interested in business, you should consider taking Russian. Since Eastern Europe and Central Asia's economies are still developing after the fall of the USSR, there should be lots of business opportunities in years to come. Russian is often recommended as a godo business language. It's also listed as a "critical language" by the State Department, meaning they are looking for government workers to speak that language. </p>
<p>Russia's culture is really fascinating. It has a rich history, wonderful art, literature and film and some of the warmest people you'll meet. I went there for two weeks and fell in love. I'm now going to Siberia to live and study there for one year next year so I can become fluent. I have had some truly fantastic experiences while learning Russian and few people take it anymore, so I'm here to spread the word.</p>
<p>I wouldn't take Russian for European business. German is the language of European business.</p>
<p>I was more referring to the fact that the OP stated that he or she wanted to study abroad in Europe. Russian isn't the language of Western European business, but for eastern europe/central asia, it is the business language.</p>