Whats the Best Foreign Language to Learn in High School

What's the Best Foreign Language to Learn in High School SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Most students are faced at some point with deciding which foreign language to pursue. Some high schools offer many options while some offer only a few. Whatever the situation at your particular high school, the decision can feel very weighty: you're going to commit years of your life to learning a new form of communication, after all. In this article, we'll explain how to determine the best foreignlanguage to learn for you, such as your motivation and goals, along with some basic information on a few of the more common languages to learn. 3 Factors to Determine the Best Foreign Language for You There are certain factors that you'll want to take into account, no matter which language you're considering. These elements of the decision-making process can help you determine the very best foreign language to learn in high school. College Don't Care Which Language You Took Good news! You don't need to bear the possible effects on college admittance in mind.Yes, many colleges require, or at least recommend, taking a foreign language for multiple years- the exact suggestions change from school to school. Colleges do not, however, specify which language to take; Spanish, French, Hebrew, etc. would all work equally well, as long as you excelled in the class. There are far more important criteriato base your decision on than trying to impress an impartial institution. You'll be best off if you take several years of the same language, so your likelihood of sticking with a course through high school is much more crucial to consider. Taking a different language every semester is a really bad idea. Careers With Language Requirements Certain careers require, or at least encourage, proficiency in another language. There are obvious jobs (linguistics and translation) and less obvious jobs (music and health care). If you work directly with a language, as interpreters do, of course you need to know it inside and out. In fields like the arts, it may be helpful to know a certain language so that you more fully comprehend the terms used in your discipline; from the French used in danceto the Italian used in music,non-English vernacular appears in many forms of art. In a career such as medicine, where you're going to be working with a wide variety of diverse clients, it's helpful if you can communicate directly with the people you serve. Bear in mind, studying a certain language does not commit you to pursuing any particular career for the rest of your life; this is not an all-or-nothing decision. On the other hand, if you do know what field you want to enter, you might get a leg up by starting to learn the appropriate language early on. An important question at this point is how committed you are to pursuing the language to fluency. Many people graduate high school with a passing grade in a foreignlanguage, only to lose all that proficiency within the next few years. Are you willing and able to work hard at the language in high school and continue with it in college? If yes, it may well serve you in your career. If no, this is probably not the criterion to base your decision on; you may want to trust that you'll learn what you need in later years of schooling and training. It's still a good idea to take some language in high school, but you don't need to put the pressure of succeeding in your future career on a few years of secondary school education. Personal Interest and Motivation Are Key The language you work on in high school may be a language you use for decades to come, or it may be just another hoop to jump through. One of the primary questions to ask, then, is what you're trying to get out of learning the language. You may want a head start on college pursuits or a career, or you may just want to graduate high school. You may want to become functionally fluent in a language, or you may just want to learn a few crucial phrases. What it all comes down to, then, is what language you're inspired to learn. Learn a language that interests you and that has some meaning for you, whether that's because it's a career tool or because it will connect you better to your own heritage. As a French citizen who didn't speak French until high school, I had a lot of motivation to learn. 9 PopularLanguages to Consider Your school may not offer all of these languages (in fact, it probably doesn't). Also, take the considerations above into accountbefore you commit to anything; the verdicts on each language given below are not the final word in your particular situation. Spanish The United States has one of the largest populations of Spanish-speakers out there, and this number continues to grow. It's also a hugely prevalent language worldwide. Demand for Spanish-speaking employees is soaring as many industries serve a predominantly Spanish-speaking segment of the population along with the wider public. As a bonus, most English-speakers find Spanish relatively easy to learn. Bits of the language have worked their way into American culture, and there are a number of cognates (similar-sounding words) that the languages share. Verdict: If you want a language of great practical use in everyday America, Spanish is probably the best foreign language to learn. French French, according to Forbes, is growing in its global popularity. It's extremely dominant in Africa, and it also persists as one of the major languages for international diplomacy(the UN, NATO, and the Olympics use French to somedegree, for instance). Furthermore, it's widely used in art forms such as ballet, high fashion, and haute cuisine. Verdict: If you want a language of great practical use in the world at large and Africa in particular, or if you're keenly interested in the fine arts or diplomacy, French is a great option. German Germany is an economic giant, and German is the most widely spoken mother tongue in Europe. In addition, it's an important language in the history of religion and philosophy as well as science and technology. The downside is that many English-speakers find German a little harder to learn than French or Spanish, due in part to its more complex grammar. Verdict: If you're interested in international business dealings, or the history of religion, philosophy, or psychology, German ishard to beat. Learning German brings you that much closer to Freud- isn'tthat fun? Italian Learning Italian, itself a Romance Language, paves the way to easily picking up the other Romance Languages should the need or desire arise. Italian is also a crucial language to the development of music. As a bonus, most English-speakers find it quite easy to learn. Verdict: If classical music or Italian culture is your passion, or if you're devoted to acquiring multiple Romance Languages, Italian isan excellent choice. Latin Latin is a dead language; no one speaks it as a native tongue. That being said, it's extremely useful in terms of understanding the basis of the five Romance Languages it engendered. More than half of English vocabulary is also descended from Latin, and Latin is the language of science, medicine, and law. As a bonus, learning Latin can boost your overall vocabulary, which may show up as a positive trend on that SAT or ACT score. Verdict: If you're interested in linguistics, ancient texts, or scientific or legal pursuits, Latin is probably the best foreign language to learn. Arabic Arabic is a widely spoken language, both in and out of the United States. Demand for Arabic-speakers is quite high in industries such as hospitality and government, andthe supply is insufficient. Verdict: If you're interested in a practical language for international travel as well as making yourself a desirable employee in certain sectors, Arabic may be the best language for you. Mandarin There are many speakers of Mandarin in the world today- approaching 15% of the world population.In fact, China is the leading nation in the global marketplace. Verdict: If you're interested in international business or relations and gaining a practical language for travel in China, Mandarin is undoubtedly the most practical language to learn. No, no- MandarinChinese: the language, not the fruit. Japanese The culture of Japan holds a great fascination for many high school students who admire aspects of the culture, including, but not limited to, art forms such as animeand manga. Also, Japanese is not a very widely spoken second languagewithin the United States which could lead to job opportunities later on if you stick with the language to the point of mastery. Verdict: If you love the traditional and contemporary culture of Japan or if you're interested in bringing a relatively rare skillto the table at a future job, Japanese is a great choice. American Sign Language Learning American Sign Language (ASL) provides a unique windowinto a culture that's largely hidden within the broader culture of the United States (and around the world). The Deaf community is often overlooked, and it's deeply rewarding to become more aware of what this particular community's struggles and triumphs are on a daily basis. ASL is also fascinating, with the true intricacies of fluency sparking much interest in the linguistic community. Plus, ASL interpretation is also a great job opportunity. Verdict: If you're interested in advocacy for the Deaf community, linguistic research, or interpreting as a career, ASL willhelp you achieveyour goals. Conclusion: Which Is the Best Foreign Language to Learn? There are many, many languages out there to learn. It's hard to say which one is the "best" to study in high school, especially since colleges don't havea preference. That being said, thereare several things to consider before you commit to a course of language study. There's your overall motivation and desire to learn any particular language, there's the personal connection you feel to the language and corresponding culture, and there's the practical consideration of what might serve you best in your career. Each language has its benefits and drawbacks, and any one might be the best foreign language to learn depending on what you're hoping to get out of studying it. What's Next? Now that you've got a foreign language all sorted out, you may want to think about the other classes you've got to select. In addition to that general swath, you might be curious about choosing electives. Are you thinking about taking AP classes? That's a whole other question to mull over- but we're here to help.

Descartes' Method of Doubt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Descartes' Method of Doubt - Essay Example Also in the introductory remarks, Descartes very clearly explains why he believes that leveling all of his beliefs and starting over is the only way to cure science from false and uncertain beliefs. Reason now leads me to think that I should hold back my assent from opinions which are not completely certain and indubitable just as carefully as I do from those which are patently false. So, for the purpose of rejecting all my opinions, it will be enough if I find in each of them at least some reason for doubt (Descartes, 12). He does not want to simply eliminate the beliefs that he knows for certain are false. He wishes to find indubitable knowledge, and the only way to accomplish this is to reject every belief he possibly can--from the obviously false beliefs to the beliefs that have only the most remote and improbable reason for doubt. Descartes then advances to the first category of beliefs he wishes to cast doubt on--beliefs gained from the senses. Descartes points out that most of the beliefs he is most certain of come from the senses, but that he has noticed that the senses sometimes are deceiving, such as â€Å"with respect to objects which are very small or in the distance† (Descartes, 13). ... Descartes does come up with a reason you could doubt this belief though, by proposing a new scenario. The scenario imagines is one where you are caught in a dream. Everyone has had the experience of being in a dream and thinking it is real until waking up, regardless of how fantastical the dream might be. Descartes admits it could certainly be possible that the arms and body he sees do not belong to him, but are part of a dream (Descartes 13). However, he points out that its doubtful that things like arms and hands do not exist altogether, because ideas in dreams are often based on what has been seen in real life. Even if these body parts were made up though, there are certain beliefs that still cannot be doubted, such as the existence of colors, and the fact that all bodies are extended (Descartes, 14). He points out that even more certain while dreaming are truths derived from mathematics, â€Å"for whether I am awake or asleep, two and three added together are five, and a square has no more than four sides† (Descartes, 14). This realization that the most certain empirical truths are merely the existence of bodies and colors, while truths gained through reason such as mathematical truths, leads Descartes to conclude that truths in the sciences are less certain than truths in Mathematics. Descartes then moves to his final level of doubt, by coming up with the most remote and unlikely, but most powerful scenario yet. He asks us to suppose that there is an evil genius that is infinitely powerful and intelligent, who wishes to trick us into thinking even the most certain things are true. Descartes admits that if such a being exists, even the basic truth that two plus three equals five can be called into doubt. This forces him to come up with his final, most essential

Gun control (Self defence low) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gun control (Self defence low) - Essay Example The argument over the right to own a gun and be armed within the home is centralized against a statistically failed premise that to be armed is to be protected. The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States is written to say â€Å"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed† (Harpre 80). The language of this Amendment is convoluted and is not clear on the actual intent of this addition to the Constitution. The problem with the way it is stated is that it can be interpreted to read that the people are entitled to a free militia that may arm themselves, or that the people are entitled to be armed. Regardless to the way the amendment is read, the historical relevancy of the Amendment must be taken into account before deciding if it is contemporarily necessary to allow anyone who can pass through a Historically, the Amendment arose from an issue that the colonies were having with the English monarchy attempting to disarm the citizens. In the period of time surrounding 1768 - 1775, the British government had occupied the colonies with troops loyal to the monarchy. One of the many attempts to assert control over the colonists was to declare in certain areas that personal firearms would not be allowed (Halbrook 21). The collection of personal firearms by the military was undertaken on occasion, denying the colonists the freedom of owning their own guns. In the world of 1768, the necessity of a gun was quite different than it might be in the current culture. As well, the colonists were arming themselves in anticipation of a revolution and the occupying government was aware of this threat. The tension between the monarchy’s needs and the needs of the colonists incited the framers of the Constitution to give this right back to the people. Owning a

Language, Communication and Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Language, Communication and Culture - Essay Example This establishes a unique identity for the assemblage of inhabitants. Language can also be perceived as a platform for communication not only among a group of people, but also among different people with unique cultural backgrounds and ethnicity. A single language can form a link between different communities since it establishes a channel of communication hence enhancing understanding between different groups with unique ideologies. Therefore, language can be perceived as a tool that enhances inter-cultural interactions and co-existence between different communities and races through communication. Although there are different forms of languages across the globe, any language is characterized by certain features. These should be present for a language to conform to acceptable standards. The features that define any language include its grammatical structure, diction, dialect, and others which are unique to various communities. Language is a mental function that is among other functi ons of human beings. Language is associated with all the other mental functions of human beings but in different ways. The other higher mental functions have an impact on language or language has an influence on them. Language and Self-consciousness Consciousness is a feeling in a human being that is initiated through various modes. It can be initiated either internally or externally depending on the actions that lead to its initiation. Although it is difficult to establish a strong relationship between language and self-consciousness, researches have shown that a strong link exists between the two elements. The development of conscience has been shown to result from the response by others to our actions or from personal reactions to our own actions. This development is what defines either internal or external consciousness. Internally, self-consciousness can be perceived as personal reflection. This is the ability of human beings to think of themselves as doing or feeling something , and then initiate personal reflection that will eventually lead to communication. Externally, human beings communicate through actions, thus people will react differently to their actions based on the response given to their actions by others. It is therefore, evident that other people play a vital role in shaping an individual’s conscience. Either internally or externally, self consciousness is stirred by thoughts, which are basic structural units of a language. Thoughts are therefore, the link between language and self-consciousness. According to (Fromkin 111), language forms the key components for the infrastructure of thoughts of human beings. Human thoughts are thus the link that demonstrates the relationship between language and self-consciousness. It is still difficult to establish which element has a greater authority on the other, but it is apparent that a strong relationship between the two exists. Language and Autonomy Independence and freedom in decision making is what defines autonomy of an individual. Research has been conducted by various researchers that try to establish the relationship between autonomy and language. The aspect of language that focuses on this relationship is communication. Decision making is a critical process in any human being that requires a deep understanding which in turn

Money management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Money management - Essay Example If I invest the KD 500,000 with a life insurance company then I may be able to earn a stable income each year with adjustments for inflation. Based on discussions with my insurance company the following table reflects the amount that I would receive if I invest in an insurance policy that makes adjustments for inflation and pays my estate the balance of my policy at death. Table 1 in Appendix 1 provides the necessary information. The table shows an initial investment of KD 500,000 and indicates that over a 20 year period and assuming a 3.5% rate of interest and an inflation rate of 3%, I would be able to have an inflation adjusted income of KD 15,000 in year 1 continuing to $26,302 payment in year 20. The table only shows 20 years because I assume that the number of years that I will live after retirement is approximately 20. This policy however, continues as long as I am alive. The balance on the account at year 20 suggests that there will be sufficient funds for me to earn an income many years after year 20. In fact, my principal amount only starts declining in year 12 suggesting that I will be paid out of interest earned on the investment only up to year 11. After year 11 the payments will start affecting my principal. My total receipt up to year 20 would be KD 403045.62 with a balance on the account of KD 443,861.55. This indicates a net return of KD 346,907.17 ((KD 403,045.62 + KD 443,861.55) – KD 500,000). In the event that I choose to manage the funds personally then I would be able to make earnings at rates between 3 to 7 per cent. This fund would consist of a mixture of bonds and stocks with at least 60% of the funds in stocks. I would use the income generated from the fund n the first year – year 1 as a basis to determine my future income if I am to maintain the same standard of living. I therefore allow for an inflation rate of 3% as with the life insurance option. Table 2 in Appendix 1 provides information on this fund. An average rate of

Case Study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Case Study - Essay Example Keywords: moral awareness, ethical dilemma, utilitarianism, ethical decisions, ethical approach, moral judgment CASE STUDY ETHICAL DILEMMA Problem Karen Hathaway is in a dilemma trying to decide who shall be the best candidate who deserves the promotion, among the three managers who are vying for the same position. All of the potential candidates are highly qualified for the coveted position in the company. The decision she has to make is very critical in order to ensure that the company is placed in the hands of only the best manager. She is being pressured by her superior and upper-management people to promote their own bets. She has also been informed by her immediate superior that making the wrong decision would not be good, either internally or externally, and will affect her work performance and credibility. Karen is now facing an ethical dilemma on who among the three candidates is most worthy to receive the promotion. Input The three candidates are the following: The first ca ndidate is Carmen, who is 34 years of age, an African American, recently divorced and, a single parent to an only child. She graduated in the lower half of her college class in Northwest State. She has been with the company for four years and in the industry for eight years, with average performance ratings, but is notable for her high energy level. As a superior, she has experienced some difficulties in managing her staff. Aside from this disadvantage is also her child’s poor health condition. Clinching the promotion will be a big help to manage her financial condition. In the event that Carmen gets the promotion, she will be the first African-American female manager at this level. Karen has known Carmen only a short time, but she has never had problems with her and they have become friends as Karen has once baby-sat Carmen’s daughter during an emergency. The drawback in promoting Carmen will place Karen in a tight situation as she might be accused of having biases an d favouritism. The second candidate is Ralph, an American, 57 years of age, married with three children and graduated top half in his class from a private university. He has been with the company for twenty years and in the industry for thirty years. He has been classified as a steady performer in the company, receiving mostly average ratings, with average to very low energy level. He was lauded in his work performance when he was able to produce many of the company’s top sales performers in the past. He has been not been promoted from his current position because of his refusal to relocate. This promotion would be his last before retirement, and his colleagues believed that he should be next in line because he has earned the position as an employee of the company for 20 years. In fact, one senior manager stopped Karen in the hall and said â€Å"You know, Karen, Ralph has been with us a long time. He has done many good things

Money management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Money management - Essay Example If I invest the KD 500,000 with a life insurance company then I may be able to earn a stable income each year with adjustments for inflation. Based on discussions with my insurance company the following table reflects the amount that I would receive if I invest in an insurance policy that makes adjustments for inflation and pays my estate the balance of my policy at death. Table 1 in Appendix 1 provides the necessary information. The table shows an initial investment of KD 500,000 and indicates that over a 20 year period and assuming a 3.5% rate of interest and an inflation rate of 3%, I would be able to have an inflation adjusted income of KD 15,000 in year 1 continuing to $26,302 payment in year 20. The table only shows 20 years because I assume that the number of years that I will live after retirement is approximately 20. This policy however, continues as long as I am alive. The balance on the account at year 20 suggests that there will be sufficient funds for me to earn an income many years after year 20. In fact, my principal amount only starts declining in year 12 suggesting that I will be paid out of interest earned on the investment only up to year 11. After year 11 the payments will start affecting my principal. My total receipt up to year 20 would be KD 403045.62 with a balance on the account of KD 443,861.55. This indicates a net return of KD 346,907.17 ((KD 403,045.62 + KD 443,861.55) – KD 500,000). In the event that I choose to manage the funds personally then I would be able to make earnings at rates between 3 to 7 per cent. This fund would consist of a mixture of bonds and stocks with at least 60% of the funds in stocks. I would use the income generated from the fund n the first year – year 1 as a basis to determine my future income if I am to maintain the same standard of living. I therefore allow for an inflation rate of 3% as with the life insurance option. Table 2 in Appendix 1 provides information on this fund. An average rate of