Learning Languages for Free

[Aaryq]

Howdy, folks.
The .gov has given me the chance to learn as many languages as I want thru Rosetta Stone free of charge (Marines and FMF Sailors send me a PM for how to do it).  Now obviously I will learn Spanish first.  As an American with intent of going into Law Enforcement (Local, State or Federal) it is beneficial to learn Spanish (and most local depts with a high Hispanic population give you bonuses).  That is why Spanish is on the list (don't vote other and then tell me to learn Spanish).  Why I want each language:
German: Always wanted to learn German (don't know when I'll be able to use it)
Japanese:  Almost all career Marines spend some time in Mainland Japan or Okinawa
Hebrew:  As a Christian, speaking and writing in Hebrew could help me get some background when I do a Bible Study
Russian: Always wanted to learn Russian (don't know when I'll be able to use it).  Could possibly use it if I go into federal Law Enforcement
Greek:  Just like Hebrew, Greek was one of the origional languages used in the Bible.
Swedish: I'm a big history buff and love the Viking Era.
Italian: It would be a bit easier to learn once I master Spanish...plus I can phonetically sing a few songs in Italian and only vaguely understand what they're about
Korean:  As a Marine that will eventually be stationed in Japan, I'll probably end up training with the Korean Marines
Chinese: A big challenge but if I end up in Federal Law Enforcement, it might help.
French:  What a better way to make my wife swoon than speaking French.
Other: Not all languages are avalible but I didn't list all of them either.  What'cha got?

*ETA* What language should I learn after spanish?

[Cromlech]

Chinese (Cantonese?) would be very useful to learn. Arabic couldn't hurt, either.

[Tallpine]

Tha mi fhein ag' ionnsachadh Gàidhlig.

Ach, chan eil i furasda. :(

[charby]

I would master Spanish first.

[Josh Aston]

This isn't DoD wide?

Korean, because my wife's parents were from there, and she speaks it fluently.

[Physics]

I said Chinese, because it's hard, and everyone needs a good challenge every once in awhile. 

[Aaryq]

This isn't DoD wide?

Korean, because my wife's parents were from there, and she speaks it fluently.

I don't know.  I just saw the MARADMIN and where I was told I could get it was through a Marine Corps site

[Brad Johnson]

I'd like to learn Russian so I could read turn-of-the-century Russian science (mainly physics) texts in the native language.

Brad

[lee n. field]

On top of what you've listed, Latin. 

The basic documents of our civilization are written in Greek, Hebrew (with a smidge of Aramaic) and Latin.

[Hawkmoon]

Read the Post for an in-depth question

Okay, I read the post. I found no question in the post, only a list of the languages you are interested in, and why you are interested in them.

What was the question?

[French G.]

Chinese, you can get a job as an interrogator in the next war. 

[Jamisjockey]

Chinese, since they will be our worldly overlords soon....

[Aaryq]

Bumpity

[Chuck Dye]

Take a look at the cities where you might enter law enforcement.  What are the main ESL ethnic groups?  Vietnamese would be high on my list in many west coast cities.

(Beware!  As I learned to my embarrassment in Thailand, black hair, olive complexion, brown-to-black eyes don't guarantee a Spanish speaker! Although you can get a better fare from a Thai taxi driver if he believes you are not an American!)

[Josh Aston]

FYI, looked more into this.  For Army, you can access Rosetta Stone through AKO, for AF, you have to visit your base library to get a login and password.

[zahc]

Practically, Spanish (live in TX). Followed by German, for science reasons. Latin, for smrt cred. Personally, Japanese (I 'study' japanese anyway). But I recomend against attempting to distance/textbook learn any language that uses complex characters.


But Rosetta stone is so horrible that I think I would actively avoid exposure to it.

[Aaryq]

Well If I get the department I want, there's a lot of people who speak Bulgarian...unfortunately it's not on the list.  Polish and Russian are, however.  Obviously the languages are different but is there a common ground (like a spanish speaker trying to communicate with an Italian or Portugesse speaker)?

[AZRedhawk44]

Arabic.

It's a language we're likely to have either heavy conflict with, or heavy trade with, those who speak it.

[Balog]

But Rosetta stone is so horrible that I think I would actively avoid exposure to it.

I'd always heard good things about it. What makes you feel this way?

[Mabs2]

I would say Japanese because it's a really fascinating language.  But I'd also like to learn German and/or Russian myself.

ALSO
Please let me know what you think of Rosetta Stone, I've used it a bit and just don't see what the big fuss is.  I've also tried Pimsleur but that's not amazing either.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Russian. Significant number of Russians in this country... often in colleges.

[zahc]

I'd always heard good things about it. What makes you feel this way?

Experience with it. Time is better spent with a textbook IMO, rosetta stone is just silly...I guess it could be useful if you needed listening practice and had nothing else, and it was free.

[Mabs2]

Experience with it. Time is better spent with a textbook IMO, rosetta stone is just silly...I guess it could be useful if you needed listening practice and had nothing else, and it was free.

That's the impression I got from it as well.
"Oh neat, this is how you say car, and big, and green..." but it doesn't teach you how to put it together...or maybe I just didn't get very far into it.