Hey, Cherie!

This is a practical question and I wonder if you have any ideas. I am in an academic high school and all kinds of languages are taught here: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese and Arabic. I signed up for French because it sounded cool, but my French teacher and the class are kind of boring.

I am thinking about switching to a different language, since the time to change classes hasn't passed. I would study this language for the next four years. Do you have any suggestions about what language I should take? I am open to just about anything.

— Language Challenged

Hey, Language!

Great question with a lot of answers, but you are the only person who knows what language to choose. There are a million good reasons to study Spanish: If America has an unofficial second language, it's the language of Cervantes. No matter what you end up doing after school, whether it's being a doctor, teacher, nurse, mother or banker, your ability to speak Spanish is going to help you. On the other hand, millions of people already speak Spanish because they are natives; that language ability is not going to stand out.

There's a good argument for French. It is spoken all over the globe, from Quebec to Africa to France, and is a popular second language for many people. When we were in Russia, my husband spoke French with many Russians because it was a common second language.

You can also try an “exotic” second language like Japanese, Russian, Chinese or Arabic. The world is changing before our eyes. Your ability to speak one of those four will make you very valuable in the business world, opening more opportunities.

No matter what, try to master a second language. My French is oh-so-crappy, and it's one of my real regrets. Know what you call a person who speaks only one language? An American.

Hey, Cherie!

How many boys is it OK to kiss in one week? I am an eighth-grader who kissed three boys in one week — one at a party, one at the roller rink and one at my cousin's wedding. My best friend said this is sort of slutty and not responsible, but I was just having fun.

— Make Out Girl

Hey, Make Out!

I'm not a big fan of tonsil hockey without a net. Now, I know that kissing is just kissing, and it's not sex, but the things we do when we're young can turn out to be the activities we do when we are older. It's not automatic, but patterns happen for a reason.

I'd suggest you chill. Keep it down to the same guy — when you get a boyfriend — at a time. And if you find yourself unable to stop, talk to a trusted adult about getting yourself into therapy.

Cherie Bennett is a best-selling author of books for teens and young adults. Visit her website at www.cheriebennett.com. To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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