Latin or Spanish for a potential nursing student? Start in 9th or wait until 10th?

[Christy B]

I was hoping to live in blissful ignorance of foreign language study and have dd take Spanish at the community college in 11th and 12th grade. There are all sorts of reasons I'm rethinking that (not the least of which is the huge number of adults in our area signing up for classes at community college -- they fill up FAST so I can't count on dd getting in). I'm now thinking it would be wise to do three years of a language, if possible. I really, really, really did NOT want to start a language this year, so if you have reason to encourage me that it really would be okay to wait until 10th grade, please do so. But, if you have reason to motivate me to go ahead and start now, by all means, share.

 

I've read that Latin would be the language of choice for anyone going into the medical field; it would have the advantage of helping with the SAT and give dd an edge in learning medical terminology. Pronunciation wouldn't be so much an issue. I know zero Latin but have a good friend who could help.

 

On the other hand, we live in an area with a LOT of Spanish-speaking folks. An ability to converse in Spanish would be a huge plus in dealing with patients. We have Spanish-speaking friends so she could practice. Also, Spanish would be useful in case she changes her mind about what she wants to do in college.

 

Either way, I won't be able to help much -- we'll have to depend on our curriculum and impose on friends. Suggestions?

[Leanna Tomlinson]

Personally, I would start your dd in Spanish for the 9th grade.

 

Why now?

Teens get busier as they get older and she probably has more time now to focus on academics than when she's a junior or senior.

If she is going into nursing, you may want her to do some volunteering in her jr/sr years. She may actually benefit from having Spanish.

Some schools prefer 3 years of a foreign language. I wouldn't want to skip 9th grade and then feel pressured later on.

 

Why Spanish?

Many may disagree with me, but I think Spanish will be more helpful in nursing. I am a nurse and the Latin stems used in the medical field are very easy to learn. I think it's much more beneficial to be able to communicate with patients.

 

FWIW- my dd took 6yrs of both Latin and Spanish. She says Spanish was just as helpful as Latin in increasing her vocabulary.

 

HTH,

Leanna

[Beth S]

If she has a particular interest, and she makes the decision, it will likely make the studying much easier.

 

Spanish is VERY helpful for doing patient care with the Latin American population. Even knowing the very basic vocabulary can allow the nurse to smooth out potential misunderstandings with patients.

 

One of my dd's friends was called upon (during nursing school clinicals) to use her elementary Spanish. She did not feel confident volunteering, but in reality she really could aid the doctor & patient.

 

Spanish could also provide an avenue for volunteer medical missions, if that is an interest for your dd.

 

Latin indeed will help with the vocab, as well as general English mastery.

 

HTH!

[Christy B]

I was leaning towards Spanish, for all the reasons you mentioned.

 

And I agree that we need to go ahead and start. I just was NOT planning for that this year, and I'm not sure how we're going to fit it in! I might need to trim something else.

 

Thanks!

 

Guess now I'll have to find a Spanish curriculum!

[latinteach]

.

 

I've read that Latin would be the language of choice for anyone going into the medical field; it would have the advantage of helping with the SAT and give dd an edge in learning medical terminology. Pronunciation wouldn't be so much an issue. I know zero Latin but have a good friend who could help.

 

On the other hand, we live in an area with a LOT of Spanish-speaking folks. An ability to converse in Spanish would be a huge plus in dealing with patients. We have Spanish-speaking friends so she could practice. Also, Spanish would be useful in case she changes her mind about what she wants to do in college.

 

Either way, I won't be able to help much -- we'll have to depend on our curriculum and impose on friends. Suggestions?

 

Is there any way for her to do both? Latin is indeed helpful with medical terminology and building up a strong English vocabulary. It is indeed possible to take medical terminology and vocabulary building courses, although they can be somewhat dry. At the same time, Spanish would be extremely useful for communicating with patients.

 

If you do decide to do just a Latin word building course, "Words and Ideas" by William Dominik is outstanding.

[Corraleno]

I would have her do Spanish, starting right away, since the more she practices it the more automatic it will become, and then add a good roots program. I like Vocabulary from Classical Roots, but Science Roots: Latin & Greek Roots for Biology would be particularly appropriate for a nursing student:

 

http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/latinlifesci.htm

 

Jackie

[Christy B]

I wish she could do both; now I'm really regretting not doing Latin in middle school (and wondering if that's an issue I need to re-think with my younger dd). There just aren't enough hours in our days, I'm afraid.

 

I do, however, think there is GREAT value in a good Latin roots program (I was blessed with an excellent root based vocabulary program in school and it helped me tremendously in my own medical terminology needs as a medical assistant). We will be able to incorporate a thorough study of Latin roots, and I'll have to be content with that!