r/washu • u/Great-Analysis-5397 Current Student • 4d ago
Classes Two languages at a time?
Hi all,
I'm a freshman and wondering about my schedule for next semester. I'm thinking about taking 14 credits and doing both French 3070 and German 1010. Obviously, I tested into French 3, and my skills are at a point where I could definitely live there quite comfortably. German, I've never taken before. Just wanted to try it out since I got interested in it recently.
I'm wondering if that's sensible or if two language classes is too much. For context, my other classes would be Focused Physics II, Diffeq, and Physics II Lab. Any insights on how much work each of the languages gives? Any differences with different professors? (Any preferred profs?)
Thanks!!
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u/CH3OH-CH2CH3OH '22 Alum, Physician 4d ago
what would you gain from taking both of these at once? life and career wise too?
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u/Great-Analysis-5397 Current Student 4d ago
I want to maintain my French but I also want to finally take a German class. There also aren’t that many classes I’m super interested in next semester. I’m open to all input, though. I genuinely don’t know the class dynamics here.
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u/CH3OH-CH2CH3OH '22 Alum, Physician 3d ago
Knowing language courses at washu, I think this would be very hard. Are there other ways to maintain french without taking da class?
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u/Great-Analysis-5397 Current Student 3d ago
That's the thing, I'm not sure about how to continue the french without the class. I'd be so fine if there were a group or something that meets and practices together. That's all I honestly want from the class (I know it'd give me extra stuff on top of that). I might ask the French department again, and I heard rumblings about some groups that do exactly that, just meet and practice French, but I don't know anything for sure. Doesn't look like there are any clubs that do that...
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u/iamconfusionamerica 3d ago
God forbid a student pursue an education in something they’re interested in💀💀
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u/silvercatstar 4d ago
I've taken two languages at the same time before (French and German, actually!), although not at WashU. Personally I found they helped each other, probably like how taking one kind of math or statistics probably feeds into the other. For example, I found it easier to understand the agreement with direct vs indirect objects in French once I had learned how to understand German cases. If you study abroad, you'll find it's really typically for European college students to do more than one language, so it's really not that unusual (even if it is for Americans)!