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<p>I don’t think this is accurate.</p>
<p>Publicly, the defense posture is shifting towards Asia, but I don’t really see why Africa would take a greater importance than the Middle East over the long term. Obviously, there are some issues that pop up (Libya, Somalia, AQIM, etc) but those aren’t going to overtake other strategic level U.S. priorities (not to say you can’t making a living in that area, obviously you can).</p>
<p>Practical? No. A language is always a benefit to a resume, but only as an add-on. </p>
<p>There are people on CC that will tell you that Musical Theater (or such) is a practical major. </p>
<p>Common sense is is required.</p>
<p>Don’t be hung up on every aspect of a college education being “practical”. Be happy he wants to expand his knowledge of how language works and cutural differences with any language. French is great for its literary history and influences on English. There is a lot more to life than learning the popular language of the moment- we have plenty of people who speak Spanish. Any foreign language works to discover how your own language works. Rejoice he wants to be an educated person, not just trained for a job.</p>
<p>My sister-in-law was a German language major. She got a Ph.D. afterwards in linguistics, and then took up law school. Does corporate mergers these days. Dresses like a Lilith Fair artisan on the weekends. Soft-spoken, photographic memory, makes seven figures a year. The language major didn’t impair her career objectives, but I get the feeling she will toss the law practice soon and escape to an island with Tarzan men.</p>