Should I continue taking German? HELP??!!?

Question

Brace yourself because this is going to be long. I am a young, black female who has always been interested in 20th century German history, but I have never had the opportunity to learn the German language until I reached college. I went through level one in the last fall semester, but I pretty much did not study at all, but I still made a C+ (this was not normal for me). I signed up for the second level during the summer session, which starts in two days, but I know I am behind. Now, I want to stick with this concentration, but I am extremely worried that I will not only make a fool of myself, but also fail. Also, it is more realistic for me to learn Spanish considering our changing country, and my previous learning experience (5 years). I don't know what I should do! Either way, it will be a decision for me to choose, but I need some kind of guidance...

WOW, I'm surprised that so many people answered this question, and that all of them were good! Just to clear up a few things, no, a C+ is not good enough for me, and I did not bomb the class; I just did not pick up German like I did Spanish (along with me only looking at German when I had to do the assignments, i.e. not studying). Also, I wanted to say thank you to everyone that answered, because it put me back on track. I am the type of person that always have to know what road I am going down and know the consequences in advance, but this one threw me for a loop because it meant throwing me off the plan I had for myself, which I don't normally do. However, this is the only piece of history that I truly enjoy, so I will stick with German, BUT I will be retaking the first class, even though it will push me back a semester. I am only reluctant to retake a class, because the last time I did, the class ended up being too easy for me and I felt like I was wasting hours off my life.

These next few days are going to be hectic for me, but I will look over everyone's answer and try to find the best one. I don't think there really is a best answer since they were all helpful (amazing for Yahoo!), but I know that people get pretty pissed off when you don't so I have to. Again I would like to thank everyone for their help! :-)

Answer 1

If you are interested in German History, stick with the German and get a tutor. Spanish won't help you use firsthand sources about German history. Try to keep in mind that German is very similar to English in a lot of ways (see the similarity between the German "verstanden" and the English "to understand")

Viel Gluck!

Answer 2

If you bombed the first semester, what makes you think you will do well in this one? You said it yourself, you're already behind. My suggestion would be to retake the first level course and give it your all, since you say you are very interested in the culture. Once you secure a better understanding of the language, then you can move ahead to the second level. You can't learn a language without a foundation of fundamentals. Don't go with what you want necessarily; go with what is right.

Answer 3

For all practical purposes, Spanish is the better choice. I have also taken German and I've fallen in love with the language and history. (With the exception of a decade or two here and there.) I think it's interesting that you didn't do well in German seeing to how the languages are pretty closely related. Have you ever taken Spanish? In my opinion, Spanish - although not difficult to learn- is no where near as easy as German. Trust me, the accent is the biggest hurdle. mmIf you are going for personal enrichment, go with German and buty some tapes (they are do wonders!) If you are thinking about a language that you will find useful in everyday live in the US, Spanish is a no-brainer. Whatever your choice, best of luck;-)

Answer 4

I've been watching German TV for over 10 years and find the most difficult part is remembering the vocabulary (the syntax is easier because I've done Latin). Spanish I absorb like a sponge but it's of less use to me. Can you do both courses, seems the obvious way? (C+ is not a disgrace btw)

Answer 5

If you want to take German (and a C plus is good for you) then keep taking it. Spanish is an easier language and more useful, but it sounds like you've always wanted to learn German, so I think you should stick with it =)

Answer 6

Yes, I agree with another answerer. IF you really love German and want to take it, then go ahead and take the first semester over again and STUDY this time. Then you'll have your foundations under you and can move on with confidence after that.

Answer 7

I took an intense German course and managed to pick it up after a while. If you keep it up, it will come to you. Try using small learning modules which focus on one grammar rule at a time.

Answer 8

Depending on your career prospects, German is still one of the major world languages, especially in terms of finance.

If you've already spent a semester taking it, and enjoy it, then continue taking it. If not, switch to espanol.

Answer 9

i do no longer quite realize what degree of skills GCSEs and As characterize, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that I would desire to declare, German lends itself greater to looking out than French does. i chanced on French all with the help of school (i'm from Canada), in spite of the incontrovertible fact that on no account quite obtained it till i mandatory to start speaking it on the completed (years later). while German I constantly assume that I benefit wisdom of a lot from the training themselves. it quite is better approximately the grammar and vocabulary, extremely handy to pronounce.

Answer 10

If you aren't too confident, take the first semester, again.