How DFLL Students Think about Second Foreign Language Courses

# How DFLL Students Think about Second Foreign Language Courses ![](https://i.imgur.com/ziNPZVz.jpg) In National Taiwan University, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (abbr. DFLL) requires every student has to learn at least one second foreign language for at least two years. Beyonds the requirement, many students are learning two (or even three) languages, and also, many students learn a language for more than the required two years. Still, there are students who couldn't stand learning new languages and suffer to meet the requirement. They just want to finish the 2 year requirement as soon as possible, and leave the language once and forever. Being curious of how the students are doing, here is a report on DFLL students' respond toward second foreign language courses. I have prepared several questions to interview DFLL students, here are the questions and answers. ### Why do you choose to learn this language? "I learn Russian because I'm fond of Russian literature," said Winnie, who is a second year learner of Russian. A second year Frence learner, Laura, said, "I am a French learner. I choose to learn French because I love French movies." I myself am a Russian learner. I learn Russian for I want to read Russian articles, literatures without translation. With the language ability I could enjoy 100% while reading, with no worry about the lost in translation. "Russian, because I’m interested in russian culture," said Heidi Wang. She is also a second year Russian learner. "I'm learning German and ancient Greek now. I chose German because I can discuss it with my mom who also studied German in college. As for ancient Greek, I chose it because the professor was said to be a cool guy," said Tim. <center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/VUykmQC.jpg" style="height:400px;width:300px;"></center> <center>Tim thinks of the complicated rules of German grammar</center> Through the interview it could be shown that most of the students choose the language they learn by the culture the language features. After learning the language, the students get to know more about the culture and could enjoy more when reading literatures or watching movies. ### If second foreign language isn't a required course, would you still learn it? Before interviewing, I anticipated that about 30% of the students would refuse to learn a new language if it isn't required. However, out of my expetation, most of the students answered that they would still take a language course even if the department doesn't require it. Joey, a second-year German learner, said, "Yes, I would still learn German. Because learning a new language is useful to your life and it is really interesting. You get to know about different culture, for example, like listening to english songs, you would definitely enjoy more if you understand English." "And you could get easy credits," says Tim, "HaHa! That's also a reason." <center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/leOr8G0.jpg" style="height:400px;width:300px;"></center> <center>Joey talks about his thought toward learning new languages</center> Winnie said, "I would learn a foreign language no matter it is required or not. However, if I could choose again, maybe I would choose another language to learn, Russian is just too hard for me." "Yes, I would still learn French," said Laura, "but I think I might grow slack." ### How long have you been learning this language, and what fluency level have you achieved? A second year Spanish learner, Vivian, answered, "I can speak some easy sentences by using the framers I have learned." Sarah has started learning Japanese since she was in high school. She replied "I can communicate with local people except in formal situation, and watch TV shows or news without subtitles." Ian C said, "For Japanese and German, I have learned them for almost 2 years. I can roughly understand the sentence, grammar, and vocabulary if I have read them in the textbook. For Italian, I have learned it for almost 1 year. I can have a basic conversation, introducing myself." Ian C is a crazy language learner, he is now learning 3 languages, and under my strong suggestion, he also plans to learn Russian in the following semester. Winnie answered, "I have learned Russian for almost 2 years. Now I'm using textbook at the level of B1, yet I think my Russian level is still around A2." All of The students I interviewed are in sophomore year. Most of the students answered that they have achieved A2 level after two years of learning, which means, that they can understand easy sentences, and could communicate in simple languages. ### What do you think is the hardest part of learning a new foreign language? "I would say the hardest part of learning a new foreign language is learning to pronounce. Because when you can't pronounce the word you are trying to learn, it makes it hard to memorize said word," said Jimmy. He is both a Japanese learner and a German learner. "Speaking and listening. The former one requires an environment to practice, the latter one requires a skill to understand some blurry pronunciation," answered Ian A. "Learning a different language is basically learning a different culture, and it is difficult to think from the point of view of a different culture," said Sarah. I myself am focused in learning Russian. I have been learning Russian since the first year in university, and plans to take Russian 3 next year, with a sight of using the language freely. I think the hardest part of learning Russian is to understand their logic. Russian has, like Ancient Greek, complicated declensions and conjugations. Besides, I'm now struggling in learning the usage of prefixes. I always feel that Russian builds up a clear rule for their grammar, and they use their strange logic to break it. <center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/sV4vYiW.jpg" style="height:400px;width:300px;"></center> <center>Chart of Russian prefixes for movement verbs</center> ### To sum up, are you satisfied with the courses? Ian C said, "Yes, but I think the language course in NTU can teach faster. A1 level after learning an European language for a year seems too slow." Tim said, "Yes, because the professor is nice and doesn't give us much pressure." Winnie said, "Yes, the russian professor is patient." All the students I interviewed answered that they are satisfied with the courses, which shows that the current courses in NTU is meeting the students' demand. <hr> Learning languages, reading literatures, this is the duty of DFLL students. Now, DFLL students are doing well in the courses, working hard to master new languages. In the future, DFLL students will make the skills into practical use, build bridges between cultures and cultures.