<p>I knew coming to university that I wanted to learn a second language. I'd been forced through terrible spanish programs and always found myself jealous of my friends in other schools who were learning French and Latin and actually developing their skills in said languages. Upon arriving at school, I realized that I didn't know what language I wanted to take, but I sort of marked off European languages because at the time I was too worried about learning a language that would make me more "employable". I ended up enrolling in a Hindi class, partially because it fit really well into my schedule, partly because I am interested in Indian culture. However, since enrollment, I've been having serious second thoughts.The teacher, though an incredibly nice woman, speaks very poor english and has trouble communicating with us. I'm finding the challenge of learning a completely new alphabet next to impossible. I have the option to drop at any time before the last day of class (special school policy for freshmen), and honestly I'm considering it. However, there's a very chance that I might have to transfer to another school for financial reasons at some point and without Hindi my transcript looks a bit unimpressive (1 Astronomy course, 1 Poli Sci, 1 Classics, and 2 Theatre classes). Not really sure what to do. Any one have any ideas?</p>
<p>A low grade in your Hindi class won’t help your transfer application either! If your Hindi class takes a negative toll on your other classes or your life in general, I’d drop it now. Otherwise I’d try to catch back up on the class, given that you can drop it until the last day of classes. (I assume without a W on your transcript?)</p>
<p>If you want to finish the class, explore any resources for help that might be available to you. Does your class have a TA who might be more helpful than the instructor? Does your college offer free peer tutoring? Is there a language resource center that might help?</p>
<p>When I started college, the deans warned us that we should expect to put 20 hours of work a week into an elementary language class. Learning a new alphabet doesn’t come naturally to anyone. It takes lots and lots of practice and repetition and reinforcement until it starts feeling natural. I wonder if you are underestimating the amount of work that other students are putting into the class?</p>
<p>How many credits do your other 5 classes add up to? Five 3-credit classes look fine, even without Hindi. I wouldn’t expect anything more from a transfer applicant anyway.</p>
<p>If you really like the idea of learning Hindi, then Google “free Hindi lessons online” and see if one of those sites helps provide the foundation you need. If Hindi really isn’t an interest and is more of something you settled for, then consider switching out, but still look for free lessons online. (The BBC offers free online lessons in about 40 languages, but not Hindi.)</p>