Foreign Languages?

<p>Is it a boost in college admissions to be taking different foreign language classes while in high school? (since now businesses are taking over multiple parts of the world and therefore need people who can speak different languages)</p>

<p>It certainly will do nothing to hurt you...</p>

<p>Yes and no. Yes if you can somehow become somewhat proficient in each language, but no if you're just taking the classes because you think it'll look better when you apply. Basically, a college will look more favorably upon someone who focused on learning one foreign language and speaks it fluently as opposed to someone who knows a little bit about a few languages. In other words, unless you have a lot of free time, I'd just focus on learning one language.</p>

<p>Is there any recommendation as to what languages to pursue (read in demand), aside from Spanish?</p>

<p>Chinese is pretty in demand right now.</p>

<p>Arabic is too, I think</p>

<p>I'd say Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Japanese would all be good choices.</p>

<p>Whoa, learning Arabic and moving to Dubai...think of the possibilities!</p>

<p>haha yeah!</p>

<p>As a trilingual person myself (and who also gets A's in them at high school), I think as a business major, colleges would really like that you take multiple languages AND DO WELL. Get A's in them and the college will know that your not just BSing. Chinese is probably the best one to learn right now, but my high school doesn't offer it.</p>

<p>yah.. English, Spanish, Chinese... , can't beat that.. haha</p>

<p>If I were you, I would not take foreign language to improve my application. To tell you the truth, foreign language hold little to no value in today's business. </p>

<p>You mentioned about business globalization, but 98% average business workforce does not require foreign language. Most likely, your going to have a desk job. If your going to become that 2% work force that specifically deals with interacting with foreign countries, you better become fluent on whatever language choose. If not, enjoy your free time while you can.</p>

<p>don't listen to that. he's assuming you will have a desk job, but what if you don't? what if the company wants to promote someone internally and your foreign language skills help you edge someone else out? Don't ever close doors on yourself just to gain leisure time now.</p>

<p>^ some people enjoy leisure time.</p>

<p>There is no question that foreign language ability is helpful. No matter how rudimentary, even basic foreign language will put you at a significant advantage over your peers in many aspects.</p>

<p>The demand for overseas job is growing by the minute given the situation here in the states. Knowing the local language can only help.</p>

<p>Arabic is exploding on the scene as an up and coming language to know in business. Russian will be getting more popularity soon as well, I believe. If you are limited in terms of high school language offerings, no doubt Spanish is the way to go. Even domestic offices will GREATLY appreciate a bilingual employee if that language is Spanish!</p>

<p>no one seems to like portugese and those hot brazilian chicks huh? Oh well, more for me?</p>

<p>Seriously though, I think what most people say is right (after thinking about it). It's best to pick a language for a country whose culture you enjoy and could potentially be useful in the future. Generally, people say:</p>

<p>Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, Portugese, and to a lesser extent nowadays, German are all good picks, so out of those, pick the one that you like best.</p>

<p>In order of importance, I would definitely put German ahead of French and Portugese.</p>

<p>i agree sp. German is my third language (fairly proficient) after Chinese (native) and English (2nd language). my next goal is to learn some Russian and Arabic...it's gonna take a while.</p>