What language should I learn?

Question

I am a born and bred caucasian American who speaks nothing but English. I am required to take 2 years of foreign languages at my college to get my degree. I live in SE Texas and plan to stay in the area upon graduation, so it sounds like Spanish would be the most logical choice for me. However, I'd like to be able to speak whatever language I take when I'm done with it. My options are French, German, and Spanish. Of those three, and with my background, can anyone give me an educated guess as to what language would be easier for me to learn?
Thanks.
Oh yeah... I also have free access through the military of the Rosetta Stone language programs... does anyone know anything about those? Would they help me?

Answer 1

My sister has been given Rosetta Stone by the military and she swears by them. Total immersion programs would be the best way to be able to speak a language fluently. From what I've heard, taking a couple of college courses meets the requirements, but don't really help you speak it fluently. From the geographical standpoint, it sounds like Spanish would be the best language to take.

Answer 2

Personally, I take German and love it. Its a really cool language and offers a bit of a challenge. Of those three, it is by far the hardest. French is the easiest, Spanish isn't too hard, but German (especially speaking it) is pretty challenging. Its a lot more fun to say than the others (and doesn't sound a thing like what people pretend it does). I personally think spanish sounds ugly (almost all my friends take it), but thats just me. So if you don't want a challenge, and want one of the most widespread languages oversees, choose French. If you're staying in Texas and want to understand half the people around, take Spanish. If you want to read most pages on the web and are looking for another common European language but also want a challenge, take German (it is the second most widespread langauge on the internet, after English).

Answer 3

I think any of the three would be somewhat easy, since your first language is English. Many of today's English words have French origins, and I've heard that German isn't that difficult if you already know English. However, I would go with Spanish because it would be the most useful to you, since you live so close to Mexico. I'm majoring in Spanish, and I've noticed that many Spanish words aren't that different from English. Some are exactly the same, like "doctor," and some are very similar, like "mapa" (meaning "map"). And sorry, I don't know anything about the Rosetta Stone language programs.

Answer 4

Try to know yourself better. It seems that Spanish would be the easiest, as you could easily find Spanish speakers in your area. Otherwise, if you dream of working in France or some former colonies in West-Africa French would be the best option, it is a Latin language with more difficult features than Spanish, but still has many words in common with English. German could be useful if you expect to work with Central Europe, the language belongs to the same language family as English, however its grammar has not been simplified like the English one. Maybe you could try to know the teachers at the school you attend, they can have a noticeable effect on one's learning effectiveness.

Answer 5

Well, what's more useful doesn't really matter, as you're not going to become proficient or fluent with only two years of language classes at a university.

I would suggest german since that's my language of choice and I love it, however from what you have written, it seems you are only taking a foreign language because you have to to graduate, and you only care about what's easiest and in my opinion that's not a very good attitude to have when it comes to truly learning another language. It takes passion, dedication, motivation, and an interest in the culture.

You wouldn't let your college major be chosen by a complete stranger, so don't let something as big and long-term as studying a language be decided by one either. Just choose whichever one you like best.

p.s. German does not sound mean and weird.

Answer 6

Yes Spanish seems like the right chocie

But study what you want to.

I grow up knewing two totally different lanuages one of them was English, And its sad to say but I spoke more English than the other but in high school I took three years of French and three years of Spanish but I love French much more than Spanish. But they both helped me out a lot and now I know four toally different lanuages and I'm still learning others lol.

French is pretty easy and a pretty good lanuage to learn and like the 1st girl said : It's pretty "sexy" for a man to know French lol So would choose French.

Also German sounds so mean and weird lol.

Answer 7

As an english speaker (from england) I have been studying foreign languages for four years - I opted for french and spanish. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. I found that french is easier to learn and you progress very quickly, however Spanish is more widely spoken and is a beautiful language but I found it difficult to grasp. As for German, it is extremely different to any language but I have never learnt it so I can't really judge.

In your circumstances I would pick Spanish definitely - hopefully you'll pick it up better than I ever did!

Answer 8

Spanish is typically the easiest to learn and the most useful as an American.


I, myself, am taking German and am very pleased. Many words are similar to English (What in English = Was in German).... It really all depends on the teacher and student though.

German is good if you want an intro into European languages.

Answer 9

Learn Spanish ALOT of employers now like their employees to know it, and it will give you a step up on competition. I have Rosetta Stone French, and it really does make the language fun and easy to use. Especially if you are a visual learner. Good luck.

Answer 10

Take it from many of us who have been there-Spanish is the most requested language by employers, unless you live in another country, or plan on being deployed there for a few years.