<p>Is it true that if you want to get into a good IR program...or a good IR job you need to be fluent in a second, or more, languages? I think I'm interested in being a foreign policy maker, so I don't think this would really apply...but I was just curious.</p>
<p>not to get into a good IR undergraduate program, but for a good IR job, its pretty important that you are fluent in at least one other language</p>
<p>Most undergraduate IR programs will make you learn at least one other language. Graduate schools and jobs usually require, or at least recommend very strongly, having one or more foreign languages.</p>
<p>It is best to pick up another language. And a good target language (one to your area of interest) would be a great help. Say, you want to study East Africa it would help to learn Swahili at least.</p>
<p>But is fluency required? Because chances are most people would be starting that language in college because I don't know many high schools that offer Swahili, Arabic, etc. I've taken 4 years of Spanish, and am certainly not fluent. So then, how much/how many credits would you be required to learn/take?</p>
<p>Well, you will learn much more of a language in four college years then you would in the same time in high school. Plus, sometimes you can continue in grad school. Perhaps you don't need to be fluent but you should be conversant and able to read and write the language well.</p>