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How to Choose a Foreign Language

You know you need one- how do you decide?

Emily Hausheer

Jul 16, 2019

Liberty University

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There is a world out there waiting for you my dear readers. This world will be opened to you when your mind opens to understand the richness and complexity of a new language. The world is vast as are the people in it, and the more you learn of their languages the more you will learn about the people around you.

"How do I choose one? There are so many out there! People tell me Spanish is useful- do I learn that??"
Ahhh patience dear citizen (yes, I am in a French Revolution mood from Bastille Day) there are many ways to choose the perfect language for you.

History

Probably the most important one- what area of history are you drawn to? Do the ancient Vikings intrigue you? the Romans? or are you more interested in the Middle Ages? Early Modern? Modern? Go with whatever language is popular for the area of history you are interested in. Why am I picking on history? Alas my dear citizen, the best way to understand every culture of the world is to know their history. I cannot truly understand Italy without knowing the Romans. Nor could anybody understand the United States without knowing about the American Revolution. Open up your mind to history- and then you will become a more tolerant citizen of the world.

Movies and Music

This I may have to caution- sometimes people listen to music in a foreign language and are unaware they are listening to offensive racial or sexist slurs and then they use the words in daily life and gasp! That would not be good!

I would recommend by starting with something safe like Disney songs or children's songs in other languages and listening for which one sounds the most pleasing to your ears.

Who Do You Know?

Are there alot of Germans around you that you would love to speak with? Are you hoping to travel to China someday? Are you looking forward to doing business in the Middle East? If you are frequently interacting with a particular group of people and wish to understand them better- learning their language is a great start!

Your Career

Strategically looking ahead- is there a language that comes up often in your career? For example in business, depending on your region of the world, German, Arabic and Mandarin are all wonderful languages. For the arts? I hear Italian is important to know! Diplomacy? French dominates the world of foreign policy. Look ahead at your career and choose the language that fits your path the best.

Go Ahead and Learn Czech

Has there been a language that has been tugging on your heart for sometime and you do not know why? A region of the world that your imagination keeps travelling to? Go ahead and learn that language! If the language is special to you, that is what makes it worth it. No amount of language learning is wasted and regardless of what others say about it- language learning is your choice, and you have that liberty to study whichever language you please whether it is Basque, Hindi, Czech, or Finnish. You can choose your own world by whichever language you choose, and by learning a language you are doing this not only to understand those who speak it but so that you to may take that step and travel into their world.

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

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college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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Recommended for you

How to Choose a Foreign Language

You know you need one- how do you decide?

History

Movies and Music

Who Do You Know?

Your Career

Go Ahead and Learn Czech

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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