Learning another language while in grad school?

[bellefast]

So I am taking a full course load in the fall which is 3 classes for me. I want to take Spanish because my goal is to be proficient in two languages. I have studied Japanese for four years and I have a grasp of it where I can learn it on my own other than the speaking portion which I am going to go to language tables for that. I know that it is difficult to learn another language. But, I feel this is an easy way to do it. I am going to take an intensive course if that matters. So, has anyone taken a language course for fun?

 

Thanks! Btw, I like languages a lot, so I am indifferent. What languages you think I should take if you were in my position? or would take because it is a good language to know?

[Guest |||]

I actually spoke with a couple of language professors (Russian and French), and they told me how frequently for an intro class they would have 1-2 graduate students auditing the class.

 

By the end of the first month, in almost all cases, those grad students will have dropped the class.

 

Take it for what you will I suppose.

[rising_star]

An intensive course would probably be a lot to do at the same time as coursework. It might be possible if you audit the course. But, if you're trying to become fully proficient, you'd be better off getting a summer job/internship in a Spanish-speaking country and doing an immersion program for your first 2-4 weeks there.

 

Also, my experience with language tables is that they aren't a major help for improving your ability to speak the language. You would need to attend every day, for at least 1-2 hours, to see a real improvement in your speaking ability. They also depend on having attendees who are at or higher than your level, so that you can have actual conversations. And, if you really want to improve, you need somewhere there that will correct you when you make mistakes. If you have found something that fulfills all these things, then that's awesome.

[bellefast]

I actually spoke with a couple of language professors (Russian and French), and they told me how frequently for an intro class they would have 1-2 graduate students auditing the class.

 

By the end of the first month, in almost all cases, those grad students will have dropped the class.

 

Take it for what you will I suppose.

 

Hehe. yeah, I figure that would happen. That's why I asked so I will know what to expect before I attempt to try a class.

 

 

An intensive course would probably be a lot to do at the same time as coursework. It might be possible if you audit the course. But, if you're trying to become fully proficient, you'd be better off getting a summer job/internship in a Spanish-speaking country and doing an immersion program for your first 2-4 weeks there.

 

Also, my experience with language tables is that they aren't a major help for improving your ability to speak the language. You would need to attend every day, for at least 1-2 hours, to see a real improvement in your speaking ability. They also depend on having attendees who are at or higher than your level, so that you can have actual conversations. And, if you really want to improve, you need somewhere there that will correct you when you make mistakes. If you have found something that fulfills all these things, then that's awesome.

 

Well I have been speaking Japanese for four years, so I just need someone to talk to and teachers and students usually all come together to talk to each other. Its supposed to be just like my undergraduate school. So, yep, I am hoping to do that and if the Spanish thing doesn't go through, audit Japanese language classes. Since Japanese is a part of my research, I would likely not drop the course.

[Nife]

Well, just in case you ever want to practice your Spanish, I'll be happy to help! It's my fist language, after all.

I'm trying to learn French right now. I'm just using an App I downloaded to my phone to learn the basics. It's free of charge and very flexible, in the sense that you can move on through the units at your own pace, whenever you have time.