Is it hard to teach yourself a language without taking the class?

Graduate School
1

I’m about to be a junior in college starting this Monday. As a transfer student who transferred in 2017 after three years at a community college. I’m finally two years away from graduating!! I’m so happy took me longer than my friends but I’m pushing and trying my hardest. I’m currently 123 credits right now since I took two classes over the summer that counts towards my major. Now, I have a problem. I’m thinking of applying to an international university for my master’s degree. The school I’m looking at is Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. I see that their courses are taught in French. This Fall I’m taking German and I was wondering I should also learn French by myself like whenever I have free time. Do you think this will be useful?

On the website, it says they offer “An intensive language course is offered to all accepted candidates. It starts 4 weeks before the beginning of the semester.”

2

Do not consider a grad school taught in a foreign language that you do not currently speak at all. That is unwise bordering on ridiculous.

First get your BA all finished. Then attend grad school in the US (or at least in an English-speaking country).

3

You’re attending SUNY Albany, right? The SUNY system offers masters degrees. Why not attend one of them? I wouldn’t consider a master’s program that’s in a language you aren’t currently fluent in. If you finish your bachelors degree on target you’ll have been in college for 7 years. You may want to get some work experience in your field before jumping into grad school.

4

My mom suggests the UK but some don’t have my masters program.

5

I may take a gap year or 6 months of break. I’m looking at MPS Geospatial Applications at Cornell. The only SUNY school that offers applied math is stony brook. I’m not sure if you can apply to two programs in graduate. For example, I would like to apply as Applied math and MPS Geospatial Applications at Cornell

6

^Then you have your answer. Attend grad school in the US.

7

You cant imagine how difficult it will be to learn content info and discuss, without the highest skills. Any intro language orientation won’t catch you up to that level.

Talk to current advisors for their advice. They’re usually critical in grad school admits.

8

Why does your mom want you to go to the UK? Will your accommodations follow you there?

9

I told her that I’m interested in going to grad school in Europe. That’s why she said the UK. However, I’m also looking at other countries like Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

10

I teach English as a Second Language and I have taught in pre-college intensive Academic English programs. A one month intensive class will not get you ready for graduate studies in a second language. You need to plan for at least a year. Students who are highly motivated, and who study in an intensive language program (30 or so class hours each week plus similar hours of homework each week) for a calendar year, often can achieve sufficient competence to begin university level studies in the target language. Quite a few students need an additional semester or year of intensive study before they are ready. Even then they are almost certain to continue to face challenges because of their imperfect language skills.

11

Check out the schools. In Germany for instance, graduate programs are sometimes taught or available in English. Probably to attract people from other countries around the world and it’s a common language taught in many countries. It’s right there on the website.