When I tell people I’m taking Beginning Chinese, the first thing everyone says is “Why?” It’s not a requirement—I’m taking it for fun! Learning French and Chinese at Reed has been the highlight of my time here. For both languages I started taking classes with zero experience—my first times saying Bonjour and 你好 were here at Reed! It was certainly difficult and still is, but I couldn’t imagine learning these languages all on my own. I’ve loved my language classes so much that I’m planning to take another one next year. Read on to find out why I find Reed’s language courses so special, and why I think you should consider registering for one next year!
- Faculty are always there to cheer you on!
When I was a freshman taking First-Year French, my professor was one of the first people here at Reed who truly believed in me. Language professors really do get excited to see you improve. Language departments also tend to be smaller than other Reed departments, so you get close with your professors—they’re like mentors for language! Having such supportive professors in my language-learning journeys have helped me in staying motivated, trusting the process, and understanding my goals.
- Experiencing new cultures… especially food
Learning a language is so much more than just its grammar and vocabulary—it’s the culture of the people who speak it! “Culture” is so broad that there’s something for everyone: art, music, literature, history, politics, food, fashion, media…the list goes on. Beyond your language courses, there are several ways to engage with culture on-campus, such as visiting Language Houses or spending time with a Language Scholar. I always leave French House’s Pause Café with a happy belly.
- It’s so rewarding
We as Reed College students cannot be the kids asking for a marshmallow right away. Language courses kind of sneak up on you. They don’t rely on points, leaderboards, or streaks to measure your progress. It may be difficult to instantly see your day-to-day progress, but over time, you will see how far you’ve come! Trust me, I thought I was going nowhere in French until it suddenly clicked that I made so much progress in a language I had never spoken before. Soon we shall all be getting two marshmallows.
- Enjoy the process
With all the apps, websites, and podcasts suggesting otherwise, learning a language isn’t something that can be done instantly. It takes time, practice, and motivation to get you to reach your goals. Reed’s language courses aren’t only preparing you to ask where the bathroom is, they’re teaching you how to engage critically and creatively with a language. Learning a language is like sitting and spending time with a friend you don’t know yet—why rush?
- Reed’s language-learning community
Being a language learner means being part of a community! There are so many students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about languages, it’s a great opportunity to meet and spend time with friends. Here at the Language Lab, we host events for the language-learning community (and everyone interested in joining!) every semester—we hope you’ll join us!