Culpa and Course Load

tsar10027
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:18:52 +0000

To be honest, I wouldn’t take Latin if I were you. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s an intriguing language, but I would go for something that’s in use today. I say this because the language requirement here is quite extensive, and when you complete it you will have a working proficiency in whatever language you choose. I am a few weeks away from completing Elementary Spanish 2 and I can now hold basic conversations with people in Spanish. Needless to say, I have learned a lot thus far. If this pattern continues I will, by the time I finish Intermediate Spanish 2 (after the summer), be able to speak spanish quite regularly. This is quite an exciting prospect. And learning a modern language is, in my opinion, the most tangible thing one can take away from Columbia.

If I recall from your previous posts, you are pre-med. This alone should factor into your decision on which language to choose. There are a lot of Spanish speaking people in the world and your being able to communicate with them on a professional level will be an invaluable commodity.

Latin is a wonderful language, but it’s just not as useful in the context of modernity. I am only saying this because when you graduate, more than likely, you will leave Columbia with the ability to speak/write/read whatever language you choose. If I were you, I would take this opportunity to learn a modern language that is in use today.