Should I double major with a language I've already been studying?

forestlanterns
Sun, 29 Jan 2017 03:57:13 +0000

I’ve had a long-time interest in the Japanese language, and for a while now have seriously considered pairing it with another major in college (if it’s offered at the college). I will be attending Smith College next year, and right now I am thinking of a Government/East Asian Languages and Cultures double major, with focuses on International Relations and Japanese, respectively. However, I have studied Japanese for roughly 6 years, 2 of which being self study when I was young and the other 4 being a high school language class (currently in 4th year). My class isn’t the most rigorous – most students hover around the level of the second years – but with my previous experience and continued interest in the language, I’m somewhere in the middle intermediate level. I can communicate well and hold a conversation easily, even with a fairly limited vocabulary, as well as communicate through text, though my reading level is low due to knowing a relatively small amount of kanji (200 to 300 that I can recognize). I’m also considering taking the AP Japanese test, though I don’t know if my college will take it over a placement test yet.

Because of my previous experience and relative proficiency in the language, would it be worth it to study in college as a major? Smith also offers East Asian Studies, which looks like it could be a better option… several approved courses count for both Government and East Asian Studies, but in East Asian studies I would have less focus on the language, and more focus on a wider view of cultures, and I’m not sure which one would be the better choice (or if the language itself would be a good choice at all). It’s still early to have this all sorted out, but I’d still appreciate any advice on the matter!