Which third language?
Jun 3rd 2013, 8:54 am
#16
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
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Re: Which third language?
Despite what the majority on this forum say, I'd go for French.
It's an awful decision to have to make at the age of your child, but having been through it all in my youth, & German was my main language at college, I'd still go for French. Why?
*It's more widely spoken throughout the world, especially in the Middle East.
*Germans on the whole are good at English anyway.
*It's a more natural follow-on to Spanish.
*Other than Germany, Austria & parts of Switzerland, nowhere else really needs German.
Not so sure about the rush to learn Mandarin. It'd be an interesting challenge, but what for? Business Chinese learn English anyway.
Leave it with you!
Good luck.
It's an awful decision to have to make at the age of your child, but having been through it all in my youth, & German was my main language at college, I'd still go for French. Why?
*It's more widely spoken throughout the world, especially in the Middle East.
*Germans on the whole are good at English anyway.
*It's a more natural follow-on to Spanish.
*Other than Germany, Austria & parts of Switzerland, nowhere else really needs German.
Not so sure about the rush to learn Mandarin. It'd be an interesting challenge, but what for? Business Chinese learn English anyway.
Leave it with you!
Good luck.
also should be noted they have different attitudes in business meetings such as how low you bow and the mandatory presentation of business cards. Or is that Japan ???
Jun 3rd 2013, 5:29 pm
#17
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Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: Which third language?
German - for all the same reasons everyone else has already stated
that said, my girls had the same choice & opted for German - they both hate it with a vengeance as a language, although do manage to pass (it's their 4th language though....)
dd1 & I have been trying to find Italian lessons locally - just for fun....
that said, my girls had the same choice & opted for German - they both hate it with a vengeance as a language, although do manage to pass (it's their 4th language though....)
dd1 & I have been trying to find Italian lessons locally - just for fun....
Jun 3rd 2013, 7:00 pm
#18
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Re: Which third language?
I am fluent in German, and it's been quite handy - if you are in Germany/Austria/Switz.
German is not a nice language to learn or speak. But in the short-term, it could be an advantage, since Germany will likely continue to offer the most employment opportunities in the EU.
But in a broader view, German is about the least-spoken language of the majors, and decreasing in importance. For the long-term, I'd recommend French (far more common than German), or as others have suggested, various dialects of Chinese, such as Mandarin.
German is not a nice language to learn or speak. But in the short-term, it could be an advantage, since Germany will likely continue to offer the most employment opportunities in the EU.
But in a broader view, German is about the least-spoken language of the majors, and decreasing in importance. For the long-term, I'd recommend French (far more common than German), or as others have suggested, various dialects of Chinese, such as Mandarin.
Jun 3rd 2013, 7:17 pm
#19
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Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Re: Which third language?
German - for all the same reasons everyone else has already stated
that said, my girls had the same choice & opted for German - they both hate it with a vengeance as a language, although do manage to pass (it's their 4th language though....)
dd1 & I have been trying to find Italian lessons locally - just for fun....
that said, my girls had the same choice & opted for German - they both hate it with a vengeance as a language, although do manage to pass (it's their 4th language though....)
dd1 & I have been trying to find Italian lessons locally - just for fun....
Too many potential pitfalls at school age already, without making life even more stressful.
Jun 3rd 2013, 7:44 pm
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 196
Re: Which third language?
I have spent many years abroad and in a lot of different countries and in all the tourist areas the locals speak English and German, I learned French at school and have only ever used it once and that was in France.
Jun 3rd 2013, 8:55 pm
#21
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Which third language?
I learnt French at school, had to use it when in Plymouth and a French frigate visited us - distinct lack of English on their part.
Jun 3rd 2013, 9:00 pm
#22
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Re: Which third language?
Text speak. Very widely followed but not fluent to most under 40.
Jun 3rd 2013, 9:45 pm
#23
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Re: Which third language?
My 11 year old is pretty much bilingual (questionable definition but hey ho) English-Spanish. Definitely totally fluent in Spanish. He now faces the choice of third language between French and German to start in September. Taking all things into consideration: Economics, job prospects, wide spread of English/Spanish, ease of assimilation of either language for a native English speaker, ease of learning of either for a fluent Spanish speaker, which would you suggest? Bizarrely the school has given us three days to decide. OK yes we knew about this long ago by word of mouth, but THREE DAYS for such a decision? Anyway, I'm asking left right and centre to see what views come back!
Its a long time till your 11 year old is 21 and looking for work. If the thought is that Germany is the current place with most economic activity that could change, excellent language skills should never go out of fashion.
Last edited by jennieJ; Jun 3rd 2013 at 9:47 pm.
Jun 3rd 2013, 10:13 pm
#24
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Re: Which third language?
Agreed. Once you know Spanish, French is much easier - but to what end? Just to add another language to a CV?
Once one knows German, then many other languages become easier. But again, so what?
It really is a question of why do something. It could be enjoyment, it could be self satisfaction or it could be to increase possibility/probability of a job .
Once one knows German, then many other languages become easier. But again, so what?
It really is a question of why do something. It could be enjoyment, it could be self satisfaction or it could be to increase possibility/probability of a job .
We do have the problem though of breaking rule 1 - 3 of any language. Practice Practice Practice. When we return home we wont really use it, and I fear I will therefore lose it as well. Its much harder to learn a language as you get older. So I am not sure if the course will be a good investment... but we will give it a go later in the year.
Going back on topic choose the language that your child prefers to learn... I agree with the poster that you will learn much more effectively if you are doing something you enjoy.....
Let us know what you decide
I would go for French as we both like visiting the country and half of Belgium speak it (where we live)... it is also spoken more in the world as well than German. But go for enjoyment of learning first IMHO
Jon
Jun 3rd 2013, 10:18 pm
#25
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 246
Re: Which third language?
I would choose Chinese, not only for the language but also for the culture. The emphasis on self discipline, hard work, wisdom and respect for elders is a useful contrast to the western alternative of three years of partying with a gap year afterwards to get over the stress.
Jun 3rd 2013, 10:25 pm
#26
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Posts: 3,980
Re: Which third language?
I would choose Chinese, not only for the language but also for the culture. The emphasis on self discipline, hard work, wisdom and respect for elders is a useful contrast to the western alternative of three years of partying with a gap year afterwards to get over the stress.
Of those which one do you plump for?
Jon
Jun 3rd 2013, 11:13 pm
#27
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Re: Which third language?
I am fluent in German, and it's been quite handy - if you are in Germany/Austria/Switz.
German is not a nice language to learn or speak. But in the short-term, it could be an advantage, since Germany will likely continue to offer the most employment opportunities in the EU.
But in a broader view, German is about the least-spoken language of the majors, and decreasing in importance. For the long-term, I'd recommend French (far more common than German), or as others have suggested, various dialects of Chinese, such as Mandarin.
German is not a nice language to learn or speak. But in the short-term, it could be an advantage, since Germany will likely continue to offer the most employment opportunities in the EU.
But in a broader view, German is about the least-spoken language of the majors, and decreasing in importance. For the long-term, I'd recommend French (far more common than German), or as others have suggested, various dialects of Chinese, such as Mandarin.
He's probably fluent already....bilingually, of course!! I would choose Chinese, not only for the language but also for the culture. The emphasis on self discipline, hard work, wisdom and respect for elders is a useful contrast to the western alternative of three years of partying with a gap year afterwards to get over the stress.
What he said!!
Jun 3rd 2013, 11:32 pm
#28
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Joined: Sep 2012
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Re: Which third language?
I ask myself whether the language choices offered are for the benefit of the pupils, or for the convenience of the teaching staff.
Jun 3rd 2013, 11:36 pm
#29
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Re: Which third language?
Jun 3rd 2013, 11:59 pm
#30
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Re: Which third language?
to have the courtesy of learning a few simple sentences in their language, even if it is only good morning, please and thank you etc.
also should be noted they have different attitudes in business meetings such as how low you bow and the mandatory presentation of business cards. Or is that Japan ???
also should be noted they have different attitudes in business meetings such as how low you bow and the mandatory presentation of business cards. Or is that Japan ???
