<p>I got accepted to Duke ED and I know there is a foreign language requirement. I would not consider myself particularly apt at learning a new language, however I am a risk taker, and am having trouble deciding which language to take.</p>
<p>I don't want to get in over my head, but I would love to take something completely different from the usual--arabic, hebrew, things my suburban texas high school could never offer in fear of the fundamentalist parent attack. </p>
<p>In your opinion, what language should I take? I do not want to end up in a class that will kick my butt, but is it possible for me to take a "different" one without getting in over my head? I'd prefer to be with other students who are just getting the language requirement "over with" as well.</p>
<p>All language classes are difficult. There’s no getting around it. The closer it is to English, however, the easier it would be for an English speaker to pick up. At least with French, Spanish, and Italian you won’t have to learn an entirely new alphabet system.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m fond of Latin since I took it in HS. Everything I know about grammar I got from Latin. It also helps with the English vocab.</p>
<p>I have some friends taking Arabic (who just started this year), and they’re loving it. I’ve heard the classes are fairly hard, but they’re taught very well.</p>
<p>It seems like it’s going to be hard for any one language to satisfy both of your desires (out of the ordinary and easy).</p>