Anonymous
02/06/2026 08:52
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I have a boy with inattentive ADHD who struggles with cognitive tasks that require simultaneous processing that tax his weak working memory.
For high school, he has a choice of Latin, Mandarin, French, and Spanish. He has taken a few years of French in middle school but is intrigued by the idea of Mandarin.
All things being equal (great teachers, good material, fun resources, etc), which language is easier to process for a student with weakness in working memory and simultaneous processing? As a family we have no particular affinity for Mandarin, but the visual aspects of the character recognition could be helpful for DC. Latin could be complicated with so many conjugations and declensions - a lot to keep track of, but the rules are at least very specific? And written translation requires fewer mental steps than trying to comprehend and translate spoken foreign language in real time. Spanish is the most useful. French is a beautiful language but not as practical. I know I'm overthinking it, but since he gets to start afresh without a strong preference, he might as well chose to learn a language that will come more easily to him so that it's not an unnecessary struggle. Being useful is a plus!
Would love hear about any experiences, regrets, or "I wish DC would have chosen xxx!"
Latin. The verbal aspect of the other languages is going to be challenging and there is no verbal component to Latin (you will say it out loud but the goal is not to converse). Latin has many similarities with English and will probably improve his understanding of English grammar. I didn’t understand direct object and the like until I took Latin.
But Latin will require a higher cognitive load even if not verbal.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 08:51
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:My super low processing speed/working memory kid is a rock star in languages for whatever reason. Learned French really quickly, now learning Spanish really quickly after years away from French. I think it’s more about the individual kid than the language.
He must not actually have a low working memory.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 08:50
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:I have a boy with inattentive ADHD who struggles with cognitive tasks that require simultaneous processing that tax his weak working memory.
For high school, he has a choice of Latin, Mandarin, French, and Spanish. He has taken a few years of French in middle school but is intrigued by the idea of Mandarin.
All things being equal (great teachers, good material, fun resources, etc), which language is easier to process for a student with weakness in working memory and simultaneous processing? As a family we have no particular affinity for Mandarin, but the visual aspects of the character recognition could be helpful for DC. Latin could be complicated with so many conjugations and declensions - a lot to keep track of, but the rules are at least very specific? And written translation requires fewer mental steps than trying to comprehend and translate spoken foreign language in real time. Spanish is the most useful. French is a beautiful language but not as practical. I know I'm overthinking it, but since he gets to start afresh without a strong preference, he might as well chose to learn a language that will come more easily to him so that it's not an unnecessary struggle. Being useful is a plus!
Would love hear about any experiences, regrets, or "I wish DC would have chosen xxx!"
Latin. The verbal aspect of the other languages is going to be challenging and there is no verbal component to Latin (you will say it out loud but the goal is not to converse). Latin has many similarities with English and will probably improve his understanding of English grammar. I didn’t understand direct object and the like until I took Latin.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 08:50
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:My inattentive ADHD son with low processing speed takes French and Latin. French because it's our native language, and Latin because it's mostly written, not oral, and that really helps him in the processing speed department, where verbal fluency is a problem. He's also pretty good in computer science, even though it's also a language, but not a spoken language. Everything is written out and pondered over.
Processing speed, attention, and working memory are three totally different things. OP describes her son as low in working memory so Latin is going to be unduly hard.
OP, the state department rates how easy and hard languages are to learn and Spanish and French are in the easiest category. Go with that.
Anonymous
02/06/2026 08:39
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Just remember. World language at the high school level is much more rigorous than the middle school level. If your child already has a background in another language, it might be best to keep going with that language.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 22:05
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:How is writing and visual skills? Unless perfect I’d avoid Mandarian at all costs. My older child with no learning or attention issues and perfect/teeny tiny “serial killer” handwriting had a hard time with it in middle school and stopped. I had been the one to encourag her to give it a shot because I thought if you it clicked it would be an interesting point of difference. She switched to Spanish. My younger child sounds like your son and I would never suggest Mandarin for him.
Sorry for my typos…
Anonymous
02/05/2026 22:04
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
How is writing and visual skills? Unless perfect I’d avoid Mandarian at all costs. My older child with no learning or attention issues and perfect/teeny tiny “serial killer” handwriting had a hard time with it in middle school and stopped. I had been the one to encourag her to give it a shot because I thought if you it clicked it would be an interesting point of difference. She switched to Spanish. My younger child sounds like your son and I would never suggest Mandarin for him.
Anonymous
02/05/2026 21:49
Subject: Re:Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Having ADHD myself, along with autism, I recommend any Germanic language (German, Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch, Afrikaans). Although the sentence formation and pronunciation of some words are difficult, this language (specifically German) can be fun to learn because of the major differences between words/phrases, like the English phrase 'health insurance' and the German equivalent, 'Krankenversicherung.'
Anonymous
03/25/2020 09:33
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:Sign language is not accepted by many colleges as a foreign language credit. Proceed with caution on that choice if you are trying to be tactical. (Not making a value judgment just in the same boat). Jemicy school in Baltimore clued us into this fact. They offer Spanish.
I'm sorry, but I disagree with this. My DS took ASL and was accepted to many top 50 ranked schools. Once they understood that ASL fulfilled the foreign language requirement in Maryland to graduate from high school, they had no issue with it. In addition, we already knew that many schools accepted it including the UMD College Park, Northeastern University and Tulane. My advice to parents is to speak with the admissions rep and find out if they will accept ASL for Admissions. If the college has a foreign language requirement to graduate, ask if they ever extend waivers. Mine got one and will be able to satisfy the foreign language requirement by taking several cultural based classes for French (it could have been Spanish, etc.).
Anonymous
03/25/2020 06:28
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Sign language is not accepted by many colleges as a foreign language credit. Proceed with caution on that choice if you are trying to be tactical. (Not making a value judgment just in the same boat). Jemicy school in Baltimore clued us into this fact. They offer Spanish.
Anonymous
03/25/2020 00:43
Subject: Re:Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Many are saying ASL but a lot of colleges will not accept ASL.
My understanding is that Virginia state colleges/universities have to accept ASL as a foreign language for admission.
That's limiting.
Anonymous
03/24/2020 18:09
Subject: Re:Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Anonymous wrote:Many are saying ASL but a lot of colleges will not accept ASL.
My understanding is that Virginia state colleges/universities have to accept ASL as a foreign language for admission.
Anonymous
03/24/2020 16:43
Subject: Re:Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
Many are saying ASL but a lot of colleges will not accept ASL.
Anonymous
03/24/2020 16:32
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
My super low processing speed/working memory kid is a rock star in languages for whatever reason. Learned French really quickly, now learning Spanish really quickly after years away from French. I think it’s more about the individual kid than the language.
Anonymous
03/24/2020 16:30
Subject: Which foreign language is "easier" for inattentive ADHD with weak working memory
OP here. Thanks for all the responses!
His initial plan was to continue French. That is my personal bias, too. Most likely, that's what he'll choose.
The Mandarin idea came about out of the blue. It turns out, his friend takes Mandarin (for fun!) outside of school and has been using funny phrases. I imagine (implicit bias alert) that Mandarin teachers could be more strict? His French teacher has been so relaxed and flexible. She lets kids retake quizzes as many times as they want because she doesn't want grades to be the driving factor. She has mentioned that DC sometimes looks anxious when spoken to in French. I think the auditory part is hard to process. I know how that is, because I prefer to "see" things written down than hear orally.
DC has zero familiarity with Chinese characters so he would be a total novice. Not sure how much he'd have to catch up if other students are from bilingual homes or have taken Mandarin outside of school.
ASL is not offered, but good to know!
His initial plan was to continue French. That is my personal bias, too. Most likely, that's what he'll choose.
The Mandarin idea came about out of the blue. It turns out, his friend takes Mandarin (for fun!) outside of school and has been using funny phrases. I imagine (implicit bias alert) that Mandarin teachers could be more strict? His French teacher has been so relaxed and flexible. She lets kids retake quizzes as many times as they want because she doesn't want grades to be the driving factor. She has mentioned that DC sometimes looks anxious when spoken to in French. I think the auditory part is hard to process. I know how that is, because I prefer to "see" things written down than hear orally.
DC has zero familiarity with Chinese characters so he would be a total novice. Not sure how much he'd have to catch up if other students are from bilingual homes or have taken Mandarin outside of school.
ASL is not offered, but good to know!