We’re asking students, recent grads, teachers, and counselors five questions on how languages play a role in shaping personal and professional success…
Meet Jacki—a Nebraska Wesleyan University sophomore considering potential career pathways as a lab technician, analytical chemist, or researcher.
1. Why did you initially choose your languages to study, and what motivated you to keep enrolling in classes?
I chose to study German largely because of my family lineage: I wanted to connect more with that side of my family. There is also a kind of aura, I don't want to say stigma, that German has for being more difficult to learn than other languages. I love a challenge, and wanted to take it on. I quickly realized how fast I picked up on the structures of it, and I didn't want to back away from it in any sense.
I chose to add French later on in high school due to an upcoming school trip to Britain and France, and wanted to further immerse myself in the culture. Since it was my first time abroad, I wanted to get every experience I could out of it.
I had begun on a language learning app for German but quickly realized I wanted to delve into this language in ways that would require a teacher. I was blessed in that. I had some of the best, most phenomenal human beings that anyone could ask for teach me world language. Seriously, I'm planning on inviting them to my wedding. The more I learned from them, not even just from the actual language and course, but from their stories and experiences, the more intrigued and ambitious I became to become fluent. Having a teacher and mentor teach you the language is an experience you don’t get when you learn solely with an app or with AI.
Language learning ages beautifully; it only gets better.
There are always new words to learn or topics to discuss, and people to meet! The possibilities that are inherent with language keep me going.
2. You are currently completing a double major in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and German (as well as a Viola minor!). Would you encourage other STEM students to consider adding languages to their coursework—why?
I absolutely encourage all STEM majors to add a language to their studies. The science world is so interconnected; there is a place for everyone and every language in STEM.
It can open up new opportunities across the globe you may have never seen before. For me, with Germany being so heavily built on the sciences, learning this language will help me greatly, as I plan to relocate and conduct research abroad someday!
Language in the sciences has a power that can help build bridges between an immense number of countries and scientists. While it is certainly extra work, it pays off in a wide variety of ways.
3. What are some ways outside of the classroom that you use your German skills—any tips?
- Find ways to integrate your target language into your daily routine. For me, I make sure I have a good mix of German songs in my playlists. Watching TV shows is also a great strategy. If you can find songs or a show in your target language, you will learn new words and phrases even when you’re relaxing or working! The German TV shows Dark and Kleo did wonders for me.
- Keep a journal in the language. I write a journal completely in German, and I'd suggest trying to keep one in your target language! Even if you write largely in your native language, slowly implementing new sentences and words into your writing will help immensely.
- Try switching your phone into your target language. You’ll learn some new words pretty quickly that way.
- Find a conversation table in your target language. It's a low-stakes way of improving your listening comprehension, and an excellent way of practicing and strengthening your speaking and pronunciation! It can be easy to get discouraged when you aren’t the best at your comprehension or speaking, especially when in the presence of other people, but just remember you won’t improve without practice: It’s the only way to level up your language skills.
4. Have you got a memorable, funny, or moving anecdote about using your languages while traveling abroad that you’d like to share?
During my school summer trip to Britain and France, there was a time my brother and friends were looking for dinner in a quieter neighborhood in Rouen. We had found this small pizza place, and I believe the cooks there did not speak very much English. My group essentially pushed me to the front to do the talking—even offering to pay me 5 euros!—and I ordered us pizza completely in French.
The cooks understood me and seemed to approve of my accent, which felt incredible! I left feeling very proud of myself and my work. It was a great experience that comes with learning a language. It was those kinds of moments I was hoping for when I started learning French back in high school.
5. What’s your favorite word in German or French? What does it mean and why did you choose it?
I have to say my favorite German word would either be Glühwürmchen, a firefly, or Alleskönner, a jack-of-all-trades. I just love Glühwürmchen because of how fun it is to say, but I also find it super cute. It literally means "little glow worm." Alleskönner is a fun one because of Alles, which is my last name, meaning "everything," and könner, coming from können, the verb meaning “can." It's also something I have been compared to.
Not a word, but a phrase I love to bring out around my friends is “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schelechte Kleidung”: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. I've found it helpful for me when picking outfits, or when I want to annoy my friends during intense weather.
What's next on Jacki's language journey?
Jacki aspires to studying abroad in Germany or Austria. In addition, she shares:
I believe I will keep learning new languages for the rest of my life.
As of now, I am strongly focused on studying German; however, l would love to learn Dutch because it is related to both English and German. I’ve listened to conversations and speech in Dutch, and despite not knowing the language, I picked up on a lot more than I initially thought.
I also intend to learn Polish, to connect more to the lineage on the other side of my family. The long and consonant-driven words seem like something I would love to challenge myself with. I would love to resume my French, and add Spanish to connect more to my surrounding community and friends! There is no limit to your language journey.
Explore more student & recent grad voices across our blog. And, as always, visit @LangConnectsFdn on social media to share your story with us.