Studying to be a teacher - what foreign language should I learn?

Question

My husband wants to learn Chinese which is smart - he's majoring in Marketing. But as a teacher, I'm not sure if I should pick a foreign language I like, or opt for Spanish or Latin. I intend on focusing on teaching K-5 with a preference on Preschoolers and Kindergarteners. But with the high rate of Spanish speaking people in the United States, I thought Spanish would be advantageous but I don't want to be pigeon-holed in ESOL programs.

Now the thought for my husband is that with the incredible growth of China as a world market (IMO it will surpass Japan fast), Chinese made for a good language to learn. I have a love for the show Firefly and the movie that followed, Serenity and would love to know what they said.

There’s other language out there too, if they would be useful, I'd be happy to hear about them. I'm limited by whatever my school teaches. We can choose between a language or Speaking. but I have a love for languages and would prefer to take them. Thanks for your input!

I should mention I'm studying for my Bachelor's in Education (K-5) in Houston, TX. My husband is studying marketing alongside me but we do not plan to remain in Houston very long after his graduation - most likely long enough for me to graduate (I'm behind him 2 semesters); then pack up & head anywhere - we don't know yet. He would like to live abroad in England or Australia & knows the job market for what he wants to do (commercials) is everywhere. As for me however, I'll be limited to whatever language I can speak. Though if he's doing well and I don't have to work, fine I won't, if we're in a place I can work whether or not I have to, I'd prefer to work. So we could end up in any state, or country it's uncertain. A final detail – we learn from each other; If one learns a language, so does the other.

I don't think people are reading the information under the question - just skimming it. So I'm going to quote myself.
• "I intend on focusing on teaching K-5 with a preference on Preschoolers and Kindergarteners"
• "I should mention I'm studying for my Bachelor's in Education (K-5)"

I want to be a Kindergarden teacher to harness a natural ability I have w/children. The gravitate towards me, like magic. My youngest sister was failing reading when she left 1st grade. If she returned from summer w/o improvement she would repeat the 1st grade immediately. Both her older sisters spent time trying but failed. When she came to visit me, I enrolled her in the Library's Summer Reading Program. In one week she read 20+ books and w/ my help did not fail on her return. She was now ahead of her class. Not only in reading but in other studies that we worked on that summer. She is in 3rd grade and will advanced to honors classes when she reaches 4th grade. It was then I saw my talent.

Answer 1

Spanish is a good language to learn because as other people have stated there are a great many children who speak it. Basic knowledge of Spanish can be very helpful when explaining something to a child from CA (Central America) or when speaking to their parents. Since the majority of second language speakers in this country speak Spanish, it would be a good choice.

Latin or Greek are also good languages to be familiar with since they can help you teach the meanings of roots, suffixes, and prefixes to your students. (Yes, young children can learn the meaning of different word parts, it really helps their word attack skills.)

But if you are thinking of teaching young children I must suggest at least one semester of a language that is written in an entirely different alphabet or writing system than English. (Chinese could work well here.) Why? Because you will have to learn to read all over again. Your prior knowledge of reading will not help you, and you will find yourself going through the same steps and frustrations that the young readers you will be working with, will go through.

A few years ago I went to Israel and attempted to learn to read Hebrew. It was overwhelming. Remembering which direction to move my eyes, trying to remember the differences between letters that looked so much like each other, and trying to infer sounds from letters that didn’t always follow the rules that I had been taught, really gave me an invaluable insight into the experiences my students go through when they are learning to read. Attempting to learn this entirely different language helped me become a better reading teacher, not just because I could now sympathize with my students initial struggles, but because I also understood the mistakes and pitfalls that learners first make and could now help them overcome these more easily.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Learning another language is always helpful. You will never be sorry.

Answer 2

Hands down, learn LATIN!! Studies show that after one year, students that take Latin test better in Overall Reading, Reading Comprehension, and Vocabulary than students that had already taken FOUR YEARS of Spanish or French. The students that took Latin in these studies were below grade level, and the students that had taken Spanish or French were at grade level. Studies also show that students that speak Spanish as a first language learn English much faster if they learn Latin beforehand. Latin, especially when taught in conjunction with English deriviatives, gives students more strategies when they come across an unfamiliar word. About 80% of English words come from Latin, and that jumps to 90% when you enter a medical or scientific field. Children need good English base before they learn a second language. Teaching Latin is a great way to do this. Please email me if you have any questions!

Answer 3

If you're likely to teach in public schools in the US, Spanish will be helpful just for coping - the immigration levels truly reveal the necessity when one considers projected growth of Hispanic populace.

Indeed Mandarin Chinese would also be good, but - well, where are you and how do you practically intend to use it? From the description above, Chinese is a 'want to learn' language, and a good academic pursuit, but Spanish may be the one ultimately necessary.

Best wishes!

PS I just saw all of your updates. Terrific! Any language you learn is purely a bonus tool, right, since your main focus is on the elementary ed and you will most likely live in an English-dominant country? So, "go for it" in regards to Chinese or whatever you LOVE/think you'll enjoy. Latin is a power tool; Spanish is a practical one. But if you two are focused on getting positions with the goals you just described, you need to see language as a solid bonus tool! Enjoy your schooling and enjoy sharing your talents; the world needs teachers who love to share their enthusiasm.

Answer 4

Learning a language that will help in the marketing business will not help you as a teacher. You should learn whatever language most people speak (other than English) in your area. I'm guessing it's Spanish. I teach in California, and learning anything besides Spanish here, as a teacher, would be unwise!

If you're not that concerned with how much it helps you at your job, and just want to learn a new language, you should learn Chinese with your husband. Learning it together would probably be easier, and you could practice it together conversationally.

Answer 5

For a teacher in the U.S., considering the influx of spanish-speaking immigrants even into rural areas distant from Mexico, You may actually NEED this language in order to convey some ideas to students that have limited command of English.
I am in Northeast Arkansas in a town of around 20,000. In the last five years our Spanish -speaking community has increased exponentially. Many of these new arrivals speak very little English, and Bi-linguality would be a valuable teaching tool.

Answer 6

Both. Spanish is becoming a necessity in our country just for basic communications in certain fields. Latin is the base for Spanish and many other languages, including a lot of English.

It will help enhance Spanish and also in teaching roots to children. Much of our science, music, and more originate with a Latin base.

Answer 7

Goes without saying.....Especially if you are in Texas...SPANISH. A teacher who is certified bilingual (in Spanish) can earn an extra 5-7 thousand dollar stipend (pay on top of regular salary) even if you don't use the spanish everyday. How do I know? I used to teach in Plano, TX.

Answer 8

I would learn an easy language like Italian and then move onto difficult languages like Arabic

Answer 9

As a modern language teacher, I can tell you that in my area Japanese teachers are at a premium. Every school in the area is starting or continuing a Japanese program and there are few teachers available to teach it.

Answer 10

Persian