<p>Hi there! I'm a newly admitted student to Harvard College and I'm planning to major in sciences, probably bio or physics. However, I really want to study mandarin and Japanese at harvard. I can speak a little mandarin but have no experience with Japanese. </p>
<p>My question is: How feasible is it for a science major to study 2 languages at the same time?</p>
<p>[Citations</a> in a Foreign Language](<a href=“http://static.fas.harvard.edu/registrar/ugrad_handbook/2009_2010/chapter2/citations_language.html]Citations”>http://static.fas.harvard.edu/registrar/ugrad_handbook/2009_2010/chapter2/citations_language.html)</p>
<p>Receiving a citation in two languages might prove to be difficult given the general education requirements you need to meet ([Homepage</a> § Program in General Education](<a href=“http://www.generaleducation.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do]Homepage”>http://www.generaleducation.fas.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do)), as well as those for your concentration.</p>
<p>From a logistical point of view, I would suggest picking one language rather than trying to do two concurrently, unless you’re planning on choosing a concentration that gives credit for language classes. It would leave you with 0 electives at best, and would most likely necessitate taking 5 classes multiple semesters or taking classes over the summer. </p>
<p>From a pedagogical point of view, taking two language classes concurrently will probably limit your proficiency in any one. Language classes at Harvard are no joke. Unlike most college classes, whose weekly psets, readings, and/or response papers will let you pick your own schedule, one language class can often give you 2-3 hours of daily homework. Most of the intro classes meet 4-5 days a week. So taking two language classes concurrently is a huge time commitment. Are you okay with getting out of class at 4 pm and doing vocab exercises until 10 pm, at which point you can start your orgo pset? You’re not going to have enough time to do more than the bare minimum, to do the self-studying and extra vocab that’s necessary to become proficient in a language.</p>
<p>I’ve taken Arabic and Persian concurrently and I wouldn’t recommend it. Of course, I know a girl who takes 3 language classes every semester. But her academic work focuses on languages, so YMMV.</p>