What do you think of learning/mastering three international languages as against acquiring a masters degree in any program?

I am not fond of school or to be more precise formal education within the four walls of a classroom. It's a miracle that I made it through college, university etc with good grades am still shocked at that    LOL.

On a serious note I do not desire to further my education by acquiring a masters degree because I honestly feel it would be a waste of time and resources for me. The education and certificates I've acquired so far hasn't done me much good or afforded me the quality of life I hoped for,   well it has to a certain extent but you know how it is now. Life is good but it could be better

I am fixated on two things: 1. Doing honest and legitimate work to earn a living or generate extra sources of income and 2. Taking good care of my ageing parents before I lose anyone of them (Thank God they are still alive). I presently do what I can for them but there's this burning desire to do more while they are alive.

Taking into consideration my fixations above, what is your advise or honest opinion on what would benefit me more. The Masters or Languages?

Me: am thinking languages because I am eyeing the UN, foreign embassies and becoming a translator who would charge good money for her services. But I would appreciate mature input on this, especially from those who have a masters under their belt. Has the masters really helped career wise at home (Naija) and abroad?

Masters in what, precisely?

Dont see why u cant learn the languages while doing ur masters anyway. You should have mastered at least one extra language by now.

Having both could be beneficial, u know?

Are you looking at studying locally?

Why not do your masters in germany, spain, france, italy or china?

No need to rush on the Masters.
Attend Goethe Institute and Alliance Francaise. Both of them have language learning programs, and might even be able to give you a leg up into the career you're looking for.

Lots of students studied French and German at BA level in Nigerian schools already. I believe most universities have a French language program, OAU offers German, and UI offers a degree in Modern European languages.

I advise you also consider Chinese. Mandarin is becoming probably the most important business language to learn. You could research that. Maybe go for a language program in China.

Wasnt initially sure of the location.

It appears she's a lawyer who need's a career change hence the masters might meet that need. (intl rel, mba intl biz, mediation & arbitration, conflict resolution, crisis mgt, gender studies, devlpt studies?)

she might even opt for short courses abroad, and make them business trips. I hear there are lots of free short courses on UN website?

Goethe and AF might serve locally if she pursues an online masters for the parents' sake.

Felt being in the host country might help with the language immersion since she wants a career out of it but hey, learning a 2nd or 3rd language is a lifelong process, while the masters is over and done with in a jiffy!

To the OP- First of all, perfect and polish your English writing skills and your pronunciation of English.
The clearer you speak, the better translater you'll be believe me!

And about translation for the UN-
Unless things have changed, the standard for translating for the UN is very high.

In general, translation is a separate academic career with its own diplomas and exams.
As for choice of languages?
French, Mandarin and Spanish would be good choices, I think.
Good luck and all the best!

If you are based in Nigeria, learning languages might not really be the joker u want. If u want to mobilize ur career up ward through learning languages, U really need to expose urself more to the international environment by studying abroad.

U can not have the kind of job u are dreaming by just learning language at an institute somewhere in Nigeria. U have to get a degree from it. For example a degree in french language in a University in France. I am saying this because I have experience with learning languages. Believe me u have to be at the very high level of any language both in writing speaking (with good accent) and listening before u can stand a chance.

Let me tell you about this, It is a common thing that Europeans are multi lingual, for example most Dutch also speak German and that means u can expect that an average Dutch would speak 3 languages English German and of course Dutch. Not including many who even speaks 5 including Spanish and French because there are instances where the father could be German, Mother French but they have lived many years in the Netherlands and she studied in Spain. This is a common scenario to most Europeans and they speak this languages with good accent and without struggling for words so u have to keep in mind that you would compete with people like this since u are looking for a job at international level.

Look at it that you don't only want to learn languages but you want to study languages. For those who think that you can be studying masters in something else and learning language at the same time. Thats a good advice but try it only in countries like Spanish in Spain, French in France German in Austria/Germany. Never think that you may do masters in UK or USA and learn another language, it would not be very easy. U learn language faster and better in an environment where u must use the language which u are learning only.

I wish you goodluck.

Combine a foreign language with a masters degree it will be beneficial.

Mandarin, French & Arabic? together with your English Guy you will go places with these.

MBA Certificate is just a paper except it's frm the likes of Havard, Yale, MIT, Princeton. But languages? You can never go wrong with these above

Anvaller, that was the best advice given in this thread!

Seems the masters option has been dispensed with.

So, how does one go about learning mastering 3 new languages?
Simultaneously, or serially? How long would this take?

Seems a specialised course in that regard would be in order? Any recommendations?

Personally, i might pick up french and german locally while saving waiting to travel, and pick up the chinese, arabic or spanish when i travel, depending on my destination.

Any better route way(s) of achieving same objective(s)?

Depending on your quickness to learn pronunciation and grammar, from several years to a lifetime.
And why do you rule out a Master's?
Why not a Master's in the literature of the particular language you're learning?

As for 'picking up' French and German, the Aliance Français and the Goethe Insitut would be your best bet.
All the best!

yamakuza:

Seems the masters option has been dispensed with.

Oh yes, it has definitely been dispensed with as far as I am concerned .
The positive feedback reinforces my courage to do this.

AjanleKoko:

No need to rush on the Masters.
Attend Goethe Institute and Alliance Francaise. Both of them have language learning programs, and might even be able to give you a leg up into the career you're looking for.

Great advice, that would be a good starting point.

Thanks all for your contributions, I appreciate it.

^ na u enjoy holiday pass.

All the best in your new quest!

LOL , @ enjoying the holiday.
I was so reluctant to resume work this morning and thanks for the goodluck wishes.

Guess this also solves the issue raised in your other thread?

www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-685140.0.html

multimedia learning packs.

You should go for your masters. That is the best thing to do.

www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-320813.0.html


In lieu of the masters?