Learning a Second Language During Program?

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Would it be unwise to try and learn a second language while in an ADN program? Currently in 3rd semester. It's just something that interests me, and it would be on my own time using something like Duolingo.

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Why would it not be OK? ...especially if it's just something you're doing in your spare time? That's pretty much a hobby. Everyone should have one (or more).

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Just worried about overloading my brain I guess.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I use duolingo as well. I have been using it for almost 4 years. I've been seriously learning French and Spanish. After 4 years, I can conjugate and I know simple sentences. Can't speak either. To learn a language, you essentially have to immerse yourself in it, surround yourself in it and actually speak to someone. It's hard to do in the nursing program. Duolingo is a great start though. Learning another language while not required is helpful in healthcare and it could be a way to build rapport with a patient that speaks a language that you know.

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Learn another language while in nursing school?

All I have to say to that is Sí! Oui! Da! Ja! Na'am! Hai! Shí!

In other words, YES! Learn a language! Learn another! Learn a few! :-)

Even if it's a just a couple of words, it can definitely help you de-stress, do something fun, engage your brain in non-scientific ways, connect with clients who speak the language you are studying, and build empathy with English language learners.

English is my native language, I am fluent in Spanish, and know enough Arabic to exchange pleasantries. Any language you know in addition to English will help you in the long run.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

Go for it.

I'm off to China next year and have started teaching myself mandarin. Am also using duolingo

As full on as nursing school can be, its important to have something outside of nursing

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Just worried about overloading my brain I guess.

If you enjoy it, it's a good idea to do it. What's going to overload you is if the entire time in school, you live, eat, and breathe nursing. You need breaks, you need to have fun

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