Two foreign language ?

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 06:44 PM

I plan to take Latin for sure next year. I am thinking about taking French also. Is that a good idea ? Will it be too hard ?

How many APs should I take will be ideal ? I will be a junior. I am taking AP Cal AB now so it's likely that I will take AP Cal BC next year.

loveduck · 04-22-2008, 06:50 PM

I'm currently taking French and German at the same time. It's currently my Gr.10 year, and it's my 7th year of French (I live in Canada, 2nd year of high school French), and my first year of German (slight familiarity with it since I was born there, but didn't actually pick up the language, 1st year). I'm unfamiliar with APs, however taking two foreign languages at once (actually one after the other, 2nd and 3rd block) isn't too bad, as my teachers are quite understanding when I accidentally give an oral answer in the wrong language. Which happens with some regularity, especially after a late night up. But I usually don't confuse things on written assignments or tests, so it's not really a huge problem.

I was taking Chinese for a credit during weekends, but ended up dropping it because the class was too advanced and it was pulling down my average. :S

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 06:52 PM

Is it too difficult since I have not taken French or Latin before ?

I was taking Chinese for a while but did not have time to continue

loveduck · 04-22-2008, 06:58 PM

French is a latin-based language, so I'd assume it'd be interesting to start both at the same time. Then again, I've never taken Latin, so I'm not sure if that actually impacts it at all.

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 07:04 PM

Yeah. I actually I am so determined to take Latin. I think it would be great to study the root of modern language. It would help.

Should I start both of them ?

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 07:45 PM

Any suggestion ?

plumdum229 · 04-22-2008, 08:05 PM

Taking Latin and another Romance language is an excellent choice. I started taking Latin and Spanish at the same time in 7th grade, and I've found that both languages build off each other quite nicely (esp. vocabulary, not to mention the vocabulary boost you get in English). They definitely complement each other, and I'd like to attribute my high marks in Spanish to my study of Latin :b

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 08:11 PM

How does Latin help your English also ?

So it's a good idea to do both of them ?

StellaNova · 04-22-2008, 08:25 PM

I'm taking Latin and French this year - it isn't so hard. A lot of French comes from Latin roots, so it helps to know both. But the pronunciation of each language is completely different, so there's no chance of getting them mixed up.

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 08:29 PM

Thanks for your suggestion.

Is it wise to start both of them in the same year ?

I have not known any French or Latin despite my grandparents and parents speak French and I was in a French class when I was in grade 1.

JBVirtuoso · 04-22-2008, 08:32 PM

I wouldn't waste my time with Latin if somebody paid me. I don't care who says it helps with SAT vocabulary; it just doesn't really have that much influence. If I were you, I would take only French. You don't need to take a formal Latin class to understand Latin roots, and any student of a Romance language should be able to recognize the roots and know what they mean. You can actually get help with English by taking French, Spanish, German, or a number of other European languages.

Leave Latin off your schedule so you can fit in more useful classes.

nns91 · 04-22-2008, 08:55 PM

Is the grammar of both languages hard ?

plumdum229 · 04-22-2008, 10:46 PM

I see a Latin hater in this thread

...
Latin has pretty complex (but mostly logical) grammar, unlike Spanish or French. I cannot emphasize how much Latin really improves yourother language skills though. True, Latin might not be immediately useful, ie you won't be communicating with people in it, but it's more of a "foundation" language, and might be especially helpful if you wish to pursue a health/science career.

_Silence · 04-23-2008, 08:27 AM

I found Latin very helpful with learning other languages. It just gives you a really good understanding how languages work.
If you have no problems with grammar and learning vocabulary, I'd say start both at the same time. However if you sometimes struggle with languages, start one this year, and the other one the next.

sammielue21 · 04-23-2008, 02:11 PM

I took Latin and Spanish at the same time for three years -- although I didn't start both at the same time. I don't think it would be a problem for you to begin both together, it would probably do more good than harm. You might end up mixing things together a bit -- the pronunciation of 'v' always threw me -- but it won't be too bad.

Like Silence mentioned, if you know you aren't a language person then only start with one -- I'd suggest Latin. Otherwise, I think you'll be fine.