should I take language courses at my university

[skim milk]

I'm interested in taking Chinese... 4 semesters worth (beginner + intermediate)

however, if I want to get a minor, I have to take 4 other classes but I don't have any space in my schedule to waste more time

should I still take just the language courses even if its means delaying my graduation?

I figure I won't have another opportunity to learn chinese

pretty much, it won't be part of my resume nor will it help me land a job, I will be the only person that know that I took the chinese language classes at the univ.

 

[Reel]

Languages are always impressive and open doors. While they will rarely get you a job on their own, they always seem to have a bit of glamour about them that people respect. I don't know that it will be worthwhile for you to do it if it postpones your graduation though. There are always community education courses.

 

[Shawn]

nah, not unless you think you'll need it. if you take anything, take spanish. it'll be the primary language before long.

 

[skim milk]

I was in China for 1.5 months during the summer
I feel passionate about learning this language

just before I left I was speaking with the cashier at the Beijing airport and it was a great feeling that she understood what I was saying and vice versa

 

[Savij]

No, do a semester abroad instead.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: Shawn
nah, not unless you think you'll need it. if you take anything, take spanish. it'll be the primary language before long.

Chinese?

 

[intogamer]

Are you chinese?

 

[SVT Cobra]

Take spanish, it will be useful, hell it already is.

 

[Mermaidman]

Of course you should.

University is about self-enrichment. Not something that is completely quantifiable by GPA and salary potential.

 

[Compton]

Take Arabic. We might all be speaking it one day.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: Compton
Take Chinese. We might all be speaking it one day.

FIXED.

 

[oogabooga]

I will be honest - taking a language class at my uni was the worse thing i ever did. It was required 2 years (6 classes) and My gpa tanked rapidly because of the classes. 1) they met every day which sucks (For obvious reasons) but also were worth 5units vs 4. 2) I suck hardcore at other languages.

It wasn't a totally useless pursuit but man, it sucked.

If you can take it with no academic impact (gpa)? Go for it! Or if you aren't inept at languages (which you must not be to even think about it) then you can really enrich yourself, plus depending on where you go to school - the language program will probably be far superior to any other you will have available later on and you will have the time.

If you do it for enrichment and don't risk academics... I say go for it.

 

[Raiden256]

Yes.

It's good for your brain.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Yes, yes, yes. It'll look good on a resume, it might help you one day and it'll put your brain through its paces.

 

[hjo3]

Save the thousands of dollars it'll cost and just hire a private tutor after you graduate. Assuming you live near a big city, the prices are very reasonable.

 

[bennylong]

I'm thinking of going back to school to learn Chinese too. It will open up more opportunity to live in a different part of the world