<p>Hey guys! I’m a freshman at ASU, and I just finished my finals last week I’m a history major, and one of my requirements states that I have to complete a foreign language through the 202 level. I’ve been interested in Mandarin Chinese for quite a while now, so I’ve signed up to take 101 next semester (the professor’s name is Robbins). I’ve been doing some research on the language, so I know about tones, pinyin, characters, etc. I know it’s going to be a hard language, but I’m really committed to learning it. For any of you who have firsthand experience: what else can I expect in my Chinese studies? Is it really as difficult as everyone says it is? For the record, I have no experience with Asian languages. English is my first language, but I also speak a little Arabic (my parents’ native language) and some Spanish (studied it all 4 years of high school).</p>
<p>@starchick21 I don’t know about Mandarin at ASU, but all three of my sons took or are taking Mandarin in high school. It’s a difficult, but not impossible language for people not exposed to it at home. On the plus side, Mandarin fluency will really open doors for graduate studies and jobs.</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m planning on going to med school, so I imagine fluency as a doctor would be very prized :)</p>