should i just drop my elective (language)?

[blackarrowmoose]

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okay well we had our first quiz for spanish (sem2) today and it was absolutely terrible. I studied my ass off and i still found the quiz insanely difficult. ill admit languages aren't my strong suit but half the class was struggling to finish.

I used my gpa calculator and found that even if i manage to pull a B, it'll still hurt my GPA. Would it be alright to drop the spanish course and just pursue a 12 credit semester where i can probably get B+ - A on the remaining 3 courses?

 

[deleted357625]

if you don't feel comfortable with the class drop it.

Also, your saying the quiz was difficult, might as well drop the class before your stuck in it and it could possibly ruin your gpa.

 

[blackarrowmoose]

if you don't feel comfortable with the class drop it.

Also, your saying the quiz was difficult, might as well drop the class before your stuck in it and it could possibly ruin your gpa.

that was my thought, i mean im almost 100% sure its the teacher. he has horrible ratings on RMP for his difficulty and im thinking i could just take the course later with an easier teacher

 

[exptherainbow]

can you take it pass/fail?

 

[WingedOx]

Si la clase es muy dificil, pasas y tomas passar/no mas tarde.

/no tengo mi teclado Espanol occidental

 

[Dianyla]

Before looking inside this thread, my immediate thought was "If it's any language other than Spanish, go ahead."

That's still my thought. If you intend to practice medicine in North America, you'd better learn it.

 

[WingedOx]

Before looking inside this thread, my immediate thought was "If it's any language other than Spanish, go ahead."

That's still my thought. If you intend to practice medicine in North America, you'd better learn it.

Estoy usando Rosetta Stone para BitTorrent.

/Level one, if that wasn't plainly obvious.

 

[wanderer]

That's still my thought. If you intend to practice medicine in North America, you'd better learn it.

Disagree. Yes, it's useful, and I think it's important, but in no way is it necessary. Every hospital has interpreters anyways.

 

[alwaysaangel]

As others have said. I would look into taking it P/F then it won't affect your GPA and you can still get the benefit of learning Spanish. Hugely helpful when you get to clinical years.

 

[WingedOx]

Disagree. Yes, it's useful, and I think it's important, but in no way is it necessary. Every hospital has interpreters anyways.

Pero usar ellos o el telefono azul es un dolor en el culo.

 

[gettheleadout]

Disagree. Yes, it's useful, and I think it's important, but in no way is it necessary. Every hospital has interpreters anyways.

Yeah I'd agree with this. Anybody got a stat on what percentage of American docs are fluent in Spanish?

 

[alwaysaangel]

Disagree. Yes, it's useful, and I think it's important, but in no way is it necessary. Every hospital has interpreters anyways.

You're right its not required.

However, being proficient in Spanish is a huge plus when you get to clinical years. It makes you a better applicant when applying for competitive away rotations (especially on the coasts), it makes you a better resident applicant, and in the end will make you a better job applicant.

Sure you can make it through medicine without Spanish but why would you want to? Using in person interpreters is awkward, using phone interpreters is worse than muddling through on your own, and your patients will appreciate your attempt to communicate with them.

 

[WingedOx]

Yeah I'd agree with this. Anybody got a stat on what percentage of American docs are fluent in Spanish?

Mas en Texas y California. Menos en Michigan y Vermont.

/yeah, this is getting old. g'night all.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yeah I'd agree with this. Anybody got a stat on what percentage of American docs are fluent in Spanish?

Depends on the state.

Apparently about 1/4 of Physicians speak Spanish in California: http://www.jabfp.com/cgi/content/full/17/3/165

But 46% speak some 2nd language: http://www.scribd.com/doc/45768578/Self-Reported-Fluency-of-Physicians-Practicing-in-California

The numbers are only going to rise as an increasing number of people in America have limited English proficiency. Why would you put yourself at a disadvantage by lacking the 2nd language that half your colleagues have?

 

[blackarrowmoose]

well i have plans to definitely continue with spanish, its just that i think it might be better to take it later with a different instructor so i could actually learn and get a better grade..

 

[chadbrochill17]

Depends on the state.
But 46% speak some 2nd language: http://www.scribd.com/doc/45768578/Self-Reported-Fluency-of-Physicians-Practicing-in-California

With tongue in cheek I could assume the other quarter's 2nd language for CA doctors is chinese 😛

well i have plans to definitely continue with spanish, its just that i think it might be better to take it later with a different instructor so i could actually learn and get a better grade..

If you plan on continuing, p/f is no good if the class is a prerequisite for something. But in any case I recommend you study abroad with a host family; once you get past this semester, of course

 

[alwaysaangel]

p/f is no good if the class is a prerequisite for something.

Depends on the schools rules.

I took 3 semesters of Spanish, each a prereq for the next P/F.

OP - if you really feel like you're not learning at all I can see dropping it. But if its more because you are stressed that you won't get an A - just take it P/F. Med schools won't care.

 

[StudyShy]

I'd take it P/F if getting a B is going to really hurt your GPA.

I'm sorry that you have such a sucky teacher.

Buena suerte! 🙂

 

[Barcu]

P/F is fine. Class is only good to build the grammar foundations you need. After that, it's really just about interest in subjects (coming from a Spanish Lit major).

Get some basic grammar and get out there speaking! Do an immersion program.

And even if learning Spanish is not required, it is still one of the best things you can do with your time. My spanish experience was the focal point of many of my interviews, and I know it was one of the biggest factors in my early interviews and acceptances. Again, I actually was interested in the subject, so it wasn't just for admissions (again, see major), but if you have time and some interest in Spanish, it is extremely helpful.

Beyond being helpful in admissions, it is also practical (duh). And yes, there are translators and all that. But, I enjoy the patient interaction and feel you can be a better doctor if you can speak their language (even if not perfectly). I have had experience with refugees who don't speak English or Spanish. It is FRUSTRATING having to use translators. I mean, I enjoyed the work, and I know full well that I will run into this again and won't mind that. Still, it was difficult. Learning Spanish is huge.

 

[Parts Unknown]

okay well we had our first quiz for spanish (sem2) today and it was absolutely terrible. I studied my ass off and i still found the quiz insanely difficult. ill admit languages aren't my strong suit but half the class was struggling to finish.

I used my gpa calculator and found that even if i manage to pull a B, it'll still hurt my GPA. Would it be alright to drop the spanish course and just pursue a 12 credit semester where i can probably get B+ - A on the remaining 3 courses?

1. Foreign language classes are a well documented death trap for one's GPA. Get out now and avoid them at all costs.

2. Learning Spanish is a wonderful and valuable pursuit, and college classrooms are about the worst way to do it. Rosetta Stone is actually quite good, but it takes time and commitment. Immersion is the gold standard.

Is it worth learning Spanish? Absolutely. Is it worth a hit to your GPA to pick up some almost useless textbook basic version of the language? Not one bit.

 

[eli20]

I wish I had better Spanish skills, but because of poor teachers in HS/jr high and a worse than average aptitude for picking up languages (unlike my brother who speaks 5 and learns them so quickly!) I had no desire to attempt learning it in college.

If I could have taken it pass/fail I think it would have solved some of my issues. It's frustrating when you're attempting to learn something that doesn't really work in the same way as a lot of other classes and being graded down on something I think has a lot to do with aptitude. My goal of learning something always felt counter to the constant grading. It's also annoying when there are people in class who are way above level.

Does Rosetta stone really work? Maybe I could pick it up and spend some free time this summer learning a bit.

 

[StudyShy]

I have Rosetta Stone Mandarin Chinese, and I do like it. I want to do Arabic next.

 

[Iapyx]

I went with Italian. You never know when a medical emergency might occur at a layover in Chicago or an Authentic Italian restaurant. I will be set when the time comes.

To answer your question, take it pass fail or drop it.