exploring paths

[slipstreamsurfr]

In exploring paths towards grad school, both Masters and Ph.D. I realized that my lack of 2 years of foreign language is a handicap. It seems that I will be fine if I can develop a reading/translation level of ability though. It turns out that my college does a one semester class whose goal is to take a student from ground zero to reading/translation capability in one class. They say that when you are done, a dedicated student will be able to pass a reading comprehension department exam. They offer both French and German this way.

Has anyone ever taken a class like this? Is it really possible?

Now if they will only offer them at night! ;)

Comments

[drenilop.livejournal.com]

A lot of places offer this type of course; it's pretty common, particularly for those two languages. This is a common textbook for the French one. If your native language is English and grammar isn't your strongest point (don't know if this is you), French will be more comfortable than German. German relies a lot on case, which is a somewhat alien concept in English. If you learned Spanish or Latin in school at some point, then French will be more comfortable.

[slipstreamsurfr.livejournal.com]

I had 3 years of Spanish a LONG time ago that I did pretty badly in in middle school. Since then not really much of anything. Good to know about French compared to German. It seems werd/strange that you can go from nothing to at least a basic translation level in one semester. Now to watch/lobby for them to offer it at night one semester for me. Either that or figure out how to take 5 weeks off work for it.

Thanks!

[drenilop.livejournal.com]

Be sure that you've contacted the offering department to inquire about the possibility of a night class. If they don't know there's interest, they may never do it.

[slipstreamsurfr.livejournal.com]

Good point! Will do! First, I've got to get accepted to the English program. :)
Working on it!

[driia.livejournal.com]

Something to consider - there is a wide variety of CD and DVD course works that are available in the public library system. And once you are a student you'll have access to even more. So a course of self study - while a bit daunting - is possible. Depending on where you live - a lot of adult evening schools offer various language enrichment classes (which aren't credited - but can help you along - usually cheaper than college classes).

Hey good luck!

1 class???

[ms-editor.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine.
I took German, (mistakenly) thinking that it would be similar to Yiddish, which I generally understand. NOPE.
If it's the only other choice, French would be easier, I believe.
I remember when "computer literacy" courses took the place of a foreign language. I guess they don't offer that now since everyone has some "fluency" in computer use. If you could take Latin ... that would be great as an English major.
More 2 cents

Re: 1 class???

[ariel817.livejournal.com]

Yes, but Latin is not an easy language, according to my kids!

French wasn't too bad in HS.

I would have thought Yiddish was helpful in learning German. Interesting!