Reply to Studying Foreign Languages in College

Forum Index » College and University Discussion

Reply to "Studying Foreign Languages in College"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Agree that fluency is the key, not the major per se.

I am a grad of Georgetown's School of Foreign Service which has as a requirement for graduation that you pass an "Oral Proficiency" exam in at least one foreign language.  I think SFS has it spot on.  "Oral proficiency" is really useful in government and business.  BTW, the oral proficiency exam does involves reading a text and answering questions about it.  What it doesn't require is writing proficiency.

I studied 2 foreign languages, have used both of them extensively in my career in both government and private sector.  I loved the "way" I studied them at Georgetown - with the aim of being able to communicate in the language on a professional level.  To me, to major in foreign language is more akin to majoring in English - it is a literature degree.

BTW, I am not knocking an English or Foreign Language major per se.  Just that if your main aim is to use the language in business, policy, etc. then I would study the language, go for a certificate program, but wouldn't advice it as a major.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics