Is knowing a foreign language a talent or a skill?

Question

I hear how some people have a gift for languages, but then again, I hear that it requires skill in order to master.

Answer 1

Knowing the language is a skill. Having the gift for languages is a talent.

Answer 2

i think it is both. It is a talent because you can communicate with people from different places all around the world that some other people can not, yet it takes skill to master them. you don't just hear the words and know the language. it takes a long time to master the languages. I have been learning quite a few languages, but have been learning them for most of my life.

Answer 3

My top 100 high school offered an excellent language department as well as a Grammy Foundation award winning music department, so I had the best of both worlds. Like you, I played the violin and took both Spanish and French (up to Spanish 7 and French 6). Considering that, I would go with the first school if I were you. School V seems to be more well rounded than the other, at least in terms of music/languages/academics. The overall academics of your school should be excellent if you can have them, because the other classes count equally towards your transcript. You say the other orchestra is also great, which would be good for you. Although you say the other school's is phenomenal, remember that nobody gets into a school on basis of their music skills alone unless they are amazing (as in, a prodigy or something very close.) Although you might be good at violin/viola, you're unlikely to get into college simply because of your musical ability. You'll also probably stand out more in a solid orchestra rather than a fantastic one. Latin isn't really unique, either - it's still fairly commonly taught in public schools (mine offered it, and all the classes were full.) It certainly doesn't make a college application or even give any significant advantage. The benefits of Latin for the SAT aren't astronomical either; while it certainly can help, it's just with some vocabulary words (maybe an extra 10-20 points extra, if that). Preparing well for the SAT will get you the same or higher score. And while, of course, it will help with Spanish and French, I think you'll find as I did that any Romance language helps you out when you're learning another. As in, your Spanish classes will make French easier and vice versa. Latin absolutely won't hurt, but you're not going to suffer in Spanish/French because you don't have it. Here's the thing: neither language or music on its own will get you in anywhere. It's all just a part of the package. I do think multiple languages stands out more than music necessarily does, because I would guess that more people play an instrument than speak multiple (non native) languages fluently. Edit: In addition, remember that high school Spanish doesn't really cut it if you want to portray yourself as a language person. I took Spanish and French in school, but I also knew Bengali (native) and learned Russian outside of school. Does either HS offer anything outside those two and Latin? Maybe you should consider other languages as well. Good luck!

Answer 4

It can be either or both. A person with a gift for something will learn the subject more easily than others might. But with study and dedication anyone can learn. I get frustrated with the word gift or talent because as a guitar player I have struggled to learn. I practiced until my fingers were bruised. After 20 years of practice people will tell me that I have talent. this "gift" is a result of hard work and dedication.

Answer 5

I think it is both, also. Languages come easy to me. I've always been good at learning languages. Some of us are just better than others at emulating accents, picking up on nuances, punctuation and grammar, and then remembering.
Those are the students that seem to take to it easily.

Then there are those that learn it and practice and really take it seriously . They too can be successful. So, you may have a talent at it, but you can learn to be skillful at it, also, if you really apply yourself. Either way, it is something worthwhile to explore.

Answer 6

i think it's a matter of interest, then comes the notion of talent after that you become skillful

btw: i read this scientific fact that girls are more open to learn languages than boys ;))

Answer 7

skill lol. althou id say skill and talent is almost the same thing

Answer 8

skill

Answer 9

skill

Answer 10

skill