Lately I have been trying to decide what language to learn next. I started on Russian a few months ago and was enjoying it, but it got put far back on the back-burner in light of recent events. Now that I am thinking of recommencing, the debate between Russian, Arabic and Chinese -Mandarin has started up again too. The criteria for deciding aren't surprising: something useful and practical. Useful in the sense that it can be widely used (particularly while traveling), and practical in the sense that it will be possible to become conversation-competent on my own.
Here is an interesting article on what author Anatoly Karlin calls the "10 Most Useful Languages". There are a few good links to other sites, particularly the one on "Why Chinese is So Damn Hard". I would say I am re-convinced to stick to Русский. It is widely spoken in the Central Asian countries I am heading to, and in relation to the other two choices? Well, Arabic seems way too hard without an Arabic teacher or cultural submersion and there is way too much memorization in the Chinese languages, although conversation might be feasible if literacy is not the focus.
On a related note, for anyone also interested in language learning. I HIGHLY recommend Pimsleur. It is an audio based program and can be listened to anywhere - while driving to work, walking your dog, running on a treadmill - and is a highly effective method that does a great job at both vocabulary retention and recollection. I have tried other programs out there, but Pimsleur always takes the cake.
Pick a language and start learning! Удачи!
Photo Cred: Salvatore Vuono/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here is an interesting article on what author Anatoly Karlin calls the "10 Most Useful Languages". There are a few good links to other sites, particularly the one on "Why Chinese is So Damn Hard". I would say I am re-convinced to stick to Русский. It is widely spoken in the Central Asian countries I am heading to, and in relation to the other two choices? Well, Arabic seems way too hard without an Arabic teacher or cultural submersion and there is way too much memorization in the Chinese languages, although conversation might be feasible if literacy is not the focus.
On a related note, for anyone also interested in language learning. I HIGHLY recommend Pimsleur. It is an audio based program and can be listened to anywhere - while driving to work, walking your dog, running on a treadmill - and is a highly effective method that does a great job at both vocabulary retention and recollection. I have tried other programs out there, but Pimsleur always takes the cake.
Pick a language and start learning! Удачи!
Photo Cred: Salvatore Vuono/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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