<p>I’d like to learn a new language and wanted to know about your experiences with language classes here.</p>
<li>Language class(es) taken:</li>
<li>Up to what level?</li>
<li>Why did you choose this language?</li>
<li>Format of class/How was it taught? (following the book, skits, packets, games, or participation…)</li>
<li>Recommend any teachers/t.a.s?</li>
<li>How did you like learning it?</li>
<li>Difficulty?<br></li>
<li>Have you used your knowledge of the language elsewhere?</li>
<li>Still taking another class in the future or why not?</li>
<li>Other comments?</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>French</li>
<li>3, doing 4 and 5 this summer and 6 this fall</li>
<li>Have relatives who live there, it's one of the official languages of the UN, and I took it in high school but had a horrible teacher so I didn't really learn it</li>
<li>Participation is a large part of your grade (something like 30%). There are three chapter tests (with an listening component), a written final, and an oral final (a skit in class). French 1-3 should be basically grammar and some vocabulary, very by-the-book. French 4 & 5 (from the syllabus) looks like it's mostly reading and discussion.</li>
<li>It's all taught by TAs and they basically follow the book... it's more or less the same. I found most of the TAs have the same type of personality - funny, enthusiastic, entertaining. I'd recommend Calfat, Valdez, Yermian</li>
<li>Absolutely LOVED it</li>
<li>Easy B, work a bit harder for an A (it comes down to the tests)</li>
<li>When I travel there, planning to major in something international </li>
<li>4, 5, 6</li>
<li>If you're going to take a language you've taken in hs but didn't have a very good grasp of, aim low on the placement test. I purposely missed French 3 by about 5 points, and it was the best thing I ever did. I'd rather re-take the class and learn all the basics again so I have a strong foundation, than study for the placement test and then not really know what I'm doing later on. Cause basically, in hs, most people learn things to get an A on the test, not to really know the material.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Chinese</li>
<li>3</li>
<li>Business</li>
<li>Following the book, with supplementary handouts.</li>
<li>Xiao'an Li</li>
<li>Very much</li>
<li>Easy</li>
<li>Yes, online</li>
<li>Yes, 4/5/6</li>
<li>You don't need to purchase an English/Chinese dictionary, despite what the syllabus says.</li>
</ol>
<p>I took French for 4 years in high school and I didn't pass the AP French test. however, I did get a lot of the concepts and got an A every semester. should I start with the entry level french class? or can I go to a higher one (or is that what the diagnostics at orientation are for?)</p>
<p>1,2. Japanese 3 through 100c, Mandarin 1 & 2
3. I transferred in with Japanese already, and Mandarin was just on a lark
4. Pretty standard language education-- textbook, listening exercises, skits, etc.
5. Every teacher I ever had was excellent.
6. Loved it.
7. Japanese and Mandarin are, by nature, difficult.
8. I lived in Japan for 1.5 years, so yes. As for Mandarin...no.
9. I take Japanese in grad school because I want to further solidify my understanding.
10. Take whatever language interests you. Don't do a language because it's "cool" or "good for a job."</p>