<p>What is the best foreign language to learn/ major in at UCLA?</p>
<p>And now for a question that doesn’t require a completely subjective answer…</p>
<p>I was looking some of the freshman orientation stuff on their site at it was talking about a Foreign Language assessment, but it only talked about like French and German. I’ve been taking Latin for the last four years, so is there a test for me as well?</p>
<p>No one checks cc now that decisions are released…pity.</p>
<p>Sorry, k I’ll try and help :)</p>
<p>Locke:</p>
<p>So at orientation, or various dates throughout the year, you can take placement tests, which can either allow you to test completely out of a language, or place you into a higher level (e.g. level 2 means you only have to take 2 quarters, level 3 means 1 quarter, etc). Some majors require more, but the general requirement is 3 quarters. I don’t know about Latin in particular, because I actually don’t know of anyone at UCLA who has taken that as a foreign language. That’s something you could ask your orientation counselor though. If you took AP Latin and got a 4 or above, you’ve tested out of the requirement: [DPR</a> - FAQs<a href=“scroll%20down%20to%20the%20foreign%20lang.%20section”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>drbash: That really depends on what you want to do with it. Spanish is probably the most useful language in California, but Arabic and Mandarin are useful in business/politics. Arabic and Mandarin are harder to learn than Spanish though. French is a popular one, but IMO it’s only worth it if you plan on studying abroad in France, or want to live there at some point. If you know where you want to study abroad, I’d suggest learning that language. I’ve heard Swedish is pretty easy, though I don’t know how practical it is.</p>
<p>A few languages also offer a summer intensive program, where you take a summer’s worth of classes but knock out 3-quarters worth. I’ve heard it’s intense, but worthwhile because it opens up space for an extra 2 quarters. Might be something to consider.</p>
<p>This page should pretty much explain it all (the 6 quarters thing is for Global Studies majors, but the list of languages is up-to-date, as is the summer intensive info at the bottom): [url=<a href=“Program.::. UCLA Academics”>Program.::. UCLA Academics]Foreign</a> Language Information, UCLA Global Studies IDP](<a href=“http://my.ucla.edu/dprfaq.htm#18]DPR”>http://my.ucla.edu/dprfaq.htm#18)
Hope that helped!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info… I am considering either spanish or chinese…I am going to have to ponder this until orientation day.</p>
<p>Thanks, vc08!</p>
<p>¡Español! </p>
<p>I’m a Spanish major, so I might be slightly biased…heh :] I love it, though. I’ve “heard” UCLA has an excellent language program, so I think you will be in good hands no matter what you choose. As far as practicality goes, I am with vc08 in saying that Spanish would likely be the most useful. It’s a beautiful language, and once you have a firm foundation, it would be a good stepping stone to learning additional languages (stick with the Latin based or romance languages and it should be an even easier transition) :]</p>
<p>thanks…anyone else have an opinion???</p>
<p>Just curious but what are your requirements for “best?”</p>
<p>In any case, personally, I loved learning Japanese. The classes are a blast and as long as you do the work, you will get an A. The teachers are good and having TAs are fun (make friends with them and go karaoke!)</p>
<p>Most interesting professors and opportunities to use the language during my life as a polisci major are my criteria for “best” language…</p>