Which foreign language should I pick up in college?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am an incoming senior in high school that made a 5 on the AP Spanish Language test and is taking AP Spanish Lit. My family (although not my parents) are Spanish-speaking so I have become decently proficient in the language. Since I am thinking about majoring in either Economics or International Business, I would like to learn a second foreign language. However, I want to learn one that is PRACTICAL in the world of business.</p>

<p>Any suggestions?</p>

<p>I am hesitant to pick up Chinese because of the difficulty, but I'm sure I could give it a shot.</p>

2

<p>try a couple out and then decide.</p>

<p>for business, chinese. russian less so. also, i’d worry more about getting to college than what language you’re going to take there ;)</p>

3

<p>why ask the question if you’re going to bar the obvious choice, chinese? the next closest is spanish. chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world and spanish is the most per country spoken language in the world.</p>

4

<p>Sure, Chinese (Mandarin) is the most widely spoken, but do you have a particular interest in China? For areas other than East Asia, other languages will be more important. Since you already know Spanish, you might consider Portuguese. then you’d have Latin America pretty much covered. However, the most important advice is to pick a language based on the particular area of the world that most interests you or where you might do business.</p>

<p>The Twelve Most Useful Second Languages for English Speakers:
[The</a> Twelve Most Useful Second Languages for English Speakers - a knol by Dominic Ambrose](<a href=“http://knol.google.com/k/dominic-ambrose/the-twelve-most-useful-second-languages/2oec58sc2s3vw/6]The”>http://knol.google.com/k/dominic-ambrose/the-twelve-most-useful-second-languages/2oec58sc2s3vw/6)</p>

5

<p>If not Chinese, Arabic.</p>

6

<p>Not all colleges and universities offer all languages. Russian is not covered well in a lot of places, and neither is Arabic (just as examples). So, you might want to think about where you want to go to college, and then look at their language offerings. Or, if you really fall in love with the idea of a language that is not taught everywhere, keep that in mind while you put your college list together.</p>

7

<p>While Arabic is great for those planning on international relations or diplomacy careers, I’m not sure it is the best for the OP, who plans on entering business. Most multinational firms are based in the West or the Far East, not the Middle East. While Chinese is probably the best, I think French or German would be very helpful for business.</p>

8

<p>Chinese would be my firs suggestion, but if not Chinese, French or German.</p>

9

<p>Arabic
French
Japanese
Mandarin Chinese
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish</p>

10

<p>Practical in the world of business? Its Mandarin and French.</p>

11

<p>D is heading off for freshman year in two weeks and dealing with this question herself. One of her ideas is to take Latin for it’s roots and use in legal and medical terminology.</p>

12

<p>Maybe one of these:
Official languages of the United Nations.
The Organization uses six official languages in its intergovernmental meetings and documents, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.</p>

13

<p>Don’t bother with Chinese. It’s insanely difficult, and most of the people over there speak English well enough. </p>

<p>I see you’re already fluent in Spanish, so I’d recommend French, Portuguese, or German.</p>

14

<p>If you know Spanish pretty well, French will be a breeze! At least that’s how it has been for me!</p>

15

<p>Mandarin or Arabic
However, I agree that French for you would be the easiest, as it is also a Romance language.</p>

16

<p>What will your major be? Are you considering grad school? French may be useful.</p>

17

<p>I would also think that the type of business you intend to study/pursue would affect your choice.</p>

<p>Because you’ve already taken Spanish, I would recommend French or Portugese. Play to your strengths.</p>

18

<p>Well I know i can def get into OU, and they offer all of the above mentioned languages. I’m thinking about getting into International Business law. So most likely a business or economics major.
And my mother doesnt think that Arabic would help me since I’m a woman.</p>

19

<p>Would Russian be useful for fortune 500-type companies?</p>

20

<p>Plan to double major in ( two): International Relations/ Studies, Political Science, Economics, _____________</p>

<p>I do find myself debating between foreign langues to take, only three I see to consider are: Arabic, Spanish, French</p>