Do you want to learn how to buy a Pain au chocolat in Paris, an authentic pizza in Rome, or Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City? Per graduation requirements, you are required to take at least one semester of a world language. At RV, you can take French, Italian, or Spanish. It may be confusing, and you may not be sure which to choose. Whether you want the class to be engaging or want to pass with an A, this is the guide to your decision.
Spanish, which is spoken in over 20 countries, is known for its diverse and festive culture. Being the second most common language in the U.S., it is very useful in daily life. On the other hand, French is spoken in five different continents; used in luxury and fashion. Finally, Italian, although it is the least spoken language of the options in different countries, still has a rich history in music and the arts. All in all, these romance languages have diverse backgrounds.
I went around interviewing students about their experiences with the different languages. When interviewing students, many had similar answers: all classes had availability and support from teachers in tutorial or IE. Online games, such as Blooket, Gimkit, and Quizlet, were one of their favorite parts. All students interviewed mentioned they did not have a lot of work and found the class to be relatively fun. The tests reflected every aspect of what they learned in class. Even though they contain diverse material, the classes follow relatively the same structures. Yes, they do ALL contain presentations.
Students had some similar answers but overall each language had distinguishing aspects. The main factor was homework. Italian and French students reported having homework, but it was minimal. Meanwhile, Spanish homework was given occasionally: “If we don’t get done what needs to be done in class, then we have homework, but it’s minimal,” Noah C, a freshman taking Spanish, said.
If you are a student who likes less collaboration and independence, Spanish is the best option. Spanish students mentioned they had more independent work while a medium amount of group work. On the contrary, French is more collaborative, allowing you to step out of your comfort zone and collaborate with all kinds of students. Italian is in the middle, Italian student Anthony C. says, “I personally enjoy it because the people are really funny and Signora Nale (Italian teacher) is pretty chill.” In addition, one major distinguishing factor of Italian is that they get to choose an Italian name to go by in class. All things considered, Spanish offers more independence and less homework, while French is for more outgoing students, and Italian is for the people who are not super outgoing but not super independent.
Let’s think about future plans. Do you want to be a teacher? A tourist? A musician? The different languages benefit you in different careers. Spanish, because it is widely spoken in the U.S., is beneficial in communicative fields like education, healthcare, and law. In bilingual communities, it would be beneficial for better communication. Italian, with deep roots in art, music, culinary, and more, would be beneficial in creative fields. French, a language used in global fields like fashion, tourism, and politics, is an official language of a lot of international institutions.
There’s no right answer to this question. It all depends on your learning style, interests, and career goals to figure out which is best for you. Whichever one you choose, they open doors to your communication skills and cultural knowledge. Ciao, adios, and au revoir!
