I'm thinking about going back to school....again. Should I take Spanish?

Going back to school books! - school books
United States
January 10, 2008 7:03pm CST
In the past 5 years I've taken courses in Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health and I'm thinking about going back to finish Developmental Disibilities and getting my associates degree. I have only 2 more classes to take and an internship. I'm thinking since I now have more time on my hands than I've previously had that I can take at least one more class and have been thinking about taking Spanish since it's so predominant in the city that I live in. What do you think? Should I take a Spanish class? Has anyone who's basically an English speaker ever taken Spanish? Is it very hard to learn? I would like to know what I'm getting into before I attempt it!
5 people like this
10 responses
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
11 Jan 08
Spanish is a lovely language, ctry! I took it in high school, and still retain a bit of what I learned. I just signed up for online classes at a site, www.studentyteacher.org. The most problematic issue I had to deal with was learning to roll the Rs. It can be quite challenging if you are not a native speaker of Spanish. I also think it is great that you want to get your degree.
• United States
11 Jan 08
I thought about taking it online but I think I would have to actually hear the spoken words. I will check out that site though. Thanks for the link!
• United States
11 Jan 08
I tried the link and got the message that it could not be found!
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
11 Jan 08
Sorry about that, ctry! It should have been: www.studentyteacher.com.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I've always heard that English and Spanish are the two hardest languages to learn and that if you can learn both of them then you can learn any language. There are a lot of Spanish that did learn English so if they can do it then why can't you? Not to say that they're dumb or anything but merely saying that they're both hard languages. Good luck!
2 people like this
• United States
12 Jan 08
lol....now I know why there are so many around here who don't speak english!
1 person likes this
@Stiletto (4579)
11 Jan 08
Spanish is a beautiful language and not that difficult to learn. I did it at school along with French (which is a nightmare in comparison!) and I really enjoyed it. I've been to Spain and other Spanish speaking countries a few times so I've used it a little although I'm not very good at it. It's a long time since I was at school! I think learning a second language is always a good thing anyway, for the mental exercise if nothing else.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 08
I agree with you there. If nothing else taking the course will keep my mind sharp.
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I have not taken Spanish, but I have a smattering of it. It is the fastest growing second language in the US, and you should take it. Even here in Kansas, they offer specialized Spanish courses, that are just geared toward your career, like Spanish for Nurses. I would do it in a heartbeat. I do not think it is hard to learn, especially since you are exposed to it so mych.What would you do with an Associate in Developmental Disabilities?
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
12 Jan 08
I have worked in schools, and I also work in an independent living agency with people with developmental disabilities. I have an associate degree, but it has never been a factor in me getting a job. Things may be more specialized now, though. I have to do job specific inservice all the time for both jobs, that keeps me up to date. I also have several allied health certificates. People in care situations need good reliable, caring people like you. All the best!! You might also look into sign language.
• United States
12 Jan 08
There are quite a few Day Care Centers and homes near me for people with disabilities. Just next door to me is a house full of people with all kinds of developmental disabilities whos families didn't want to keep them at home for whatever reason. I want to work with them and did a short internship in a center about a year ago when I was in my second year of college.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
12 Jan 08
well i think that is a very good idea...It would be nice to go back and finish what you have already started.As afar as taking spanish that would be a great asset,spanish is a really good thing to know.I know quite a bit of spanish myself and believe me it really comes in handy..We have so many spanish speaking people now days that it would be good to be able to talk with them,and also when you are job hunting?being able to speak spanish will help you get a job...I know that now days being able to speak will really help you if you are dealing with the public..I am always praticing spanish,its rather easy to tell you the truth..
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 08
I know that when it comes to a job knowing Spanish is a plus, especially around my area.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I think it's great you want to take up a language! Go for it. In your area do you have Spanish speaking channels? That is one good way to learn a language too...just sit back and actually listen to it, and after awhile you can start picking up things here and there. I have a mental block however with Spanish. I actually am part Spanish too! Now here's the story...My mother was part Spanish, Mexican and Irish. As a young girl she often visited down Mexico to relatives..she picked up on Spanish and spoke it like a native. But then when she studied Spanish in school, for some weird reason they taught Castillian Spanish which is ONLY spoken in Castile, Spain..go figure. So zoom up years...I'm studying Spanish, but "regular" Spanish. I would try to speak Spanish to my mother and she'd always be correcting me with the Castillian Spanish accent which wasn't what we were being taught...she constantly made fun of my Spanish so really inhibited me. Now in college it was a different story...I took only one term of FRENCH..and fell in love with it...I remember my French so much more than Spanish, and at least I didn't have anyone constantly correct my accent! But I did the same thing with French...would listen to French movies (often have the English subtitle)...Also...another thing to think about...most DVD movie have language options....usually Spanish audio or subtitles or both....so switch to the Spanish Audio/subtitles Good luck!! :)
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 08
We do have spanish stations here and maybe one of these days I'm going to sit and watch/listen to one. That's a great idea. The DVD is probably even better because of the sub titles.
• United States
12 Jan 08
yes , you should take Spanish. If there are many Spanish speakers in your area, knowing Spanish will be an extra plus when you are an intern.I have only taken French but I have watched Spanish soaps for years and it isn't too hard to pick up.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I took Spanish a million years ago when I was in high school - I only took 1 semester because I didn't like the teacher (he made fun of my southern accent which me being from the north sounds funny but I picked it up from my father and grandmother). My Mom learned Spanish for the first time when she was in her 60s when she and my step-father started going to Bolivia to do medical missionary work. I now have 2 adopted sisters who were born in Bolivia but Mom insisted from the start that they speak English so I haven't learned any more. It sounds like it could be very helpful for you to learn it though.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jan 08
I know how to speak Spanish pretty well but, I've never taken a class. I learned it from living with a Spanish speaking family for 4 years. I've never learned to read or write it though. I've known people who have taken classes in Spanish and I can hardly understand a word they are TRYING to say. LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 08
You may not understand but do the Spanish people they are talking to? That is what counts...lol....
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
17 Jan 08
My brother-in-law has been taking Spanish lessons for the last year and he has learned a lot. He has books and tapes and computer CD's. He goes to a class twice a week. The reason he takes them is because him and his wife go to Texas for the winter, every year. They are only 10 minutes from the Mexican border and they go into Mexico quite often. They buy back packs here in Canada, at garage sales, and fill them with things kids need in school and they take them and give them to the kids. They have done this for the last 6 years and now he wanted to able to speak to them better, so he is taking classes. He is doing really well with it and is learning a lot of Spanish.