<p>Is learning a third language helpful or useful? I am fluent in English and Chinese, and I am thinking if I should start learning French in high school. French is considered a 'high class' language, and I am interested in visual arts, so I'm thinking that French would be a useful language to learn (plus it's cool to know three languages =D)</p>
<p>However, if I took a yearlong language course for all 4 years in high school, would it mean that I'd have less 'space' for other courses? I am more of a math/science person (I think), and I also want some time to pursue my interest in visual arts (graphic design, photography/filmmaking, computers). Would it be too late if I learned French later on (college)? I also want to learn Japanese...</p>
<p>Advice and opinions are very welcome =)</p>
<p>PS: I have no previous experience in French. However, it seems like a very hard language to learn.</p>
<p>I know college is not looking for the breath of language, but the depth. So I would suggest you stick with one language to the end in high school, then pick up yet another in college.</p>
<p>French is certainly fine, but definitely not of “high class”. I will do Latin and Greek, which, on the other hand, are very “classical”. :D</p>
<p>I would agree that adding Latin and Ancient Greek can be helpful in addition to a foreign language. I recall college professors were impressed with 2 years of Ancient Greek while visiting colleges as so few high schools offer that. My S took Chinese, Latin and Ancient Greek. He said Chinese took the most time to study.
French should be fine but language courses always seem to take so much time and effort.</p>
<p>Most prep schools require 2-3 years of a language. Therefore it is unlikely that you will be able to choose between more math or art and a language. You will have to study a language. Also, colleges will look at your transcripts and most will want to see 2-3 years of a language. If you are already fluent in two languages, adding a 3rd is a good option. Compared to Chinese and English, a romance language should be easier.</p>
<p>I’d look at your school’s graduation requirements and language offerings. There are some great reasons - career and personal - to go the classics route. Same could be said of modern languages as well.</p>
<p>Are you attending Hotchkiss? The course listing states that students are required to study a foreign language through the third level offered at Hotchkiss, “through placement or study.” If you’re fluent in Chinese, I suppose you could place out of the language requirement by examination.</p>
<p>I don’t know if that would be a good idea. It would give you more time in your schedule to take other courses. You could reach higher levels in other areas of study, with the equivalent of 4 “extra” course slots. On the other hand, it might be better to take a third language. Study the information you receive on course selection from the school, and speak with your advisor.</p>
<p>Many scientific terms are derived from Latin, or Greek. A knowledge of Latin could make it easier to learn other Romance languages. If you study German, Spanish, or French, you could spend time abroad during high school through School Year Abroad, or Round Square.</p>
<p>I think most prep schools require you study a language until level 3 or 2-.3 years, what ever comes later.</p>
<p>In effect, you have to take a language (I recommend French–it’s fun!), and since you are fluent in Chinese, they will run out of courses for you.</p>
<p>I think what the OP means by saying they’re fluent in Chinese is that Mandarin is their native language. If that truly is the case, then you’re still required to do a third language if you’re entering bs as an underclassman. French should be really useful. At some schools, you are allowed to drop the language requirement if you’re an international incoming upperclassmen, but I don’t know many students that do.</p>