Q: I would like to know about institutes where I can study German through correspondence.

— Sumon Saha

A: German is one of the world’s major languages and is most widely spoken in the European Union. Around the world, German is spoken by approximately 105 million native speakers and about 80 million non-native speakers.

In India, German is taught as part of the BA course at the School of Distance Education, University of Calicut, and Institute of Distance Education, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. The English and Foreign Language University (EFL), Hyderabad, also offers MA in German in the distance education mode.

However, I’m not quite sure if you should be learning a language, particularly a foreign one, through correspondence. How will you grasp the minor inflexions and appropriate accent by reading study material?

The great humorist, Mark Twain, once said, “In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their language.”

Well, that’s the pitfall of learning a foreign language away from its natural habitat. You may become proficient in the grammar but there’s no certainty about the nuances of the language. To get the pronunciation right, go for a course from Max Muellar Bhavan.

If you wish to get a feel of the language, log on to www.palabea.com, a social networking site that is customised for learning, teaching and communicating in foreign languages. There are video and audio tutorials too.

The right diet for success

Q: What are the prospects after doing BSc in dietetics?

— Farida Beg

A: The food processing industry offers a host of well-paying job opportunities. Dieticians continuously research and experiment to improve the nutritive value, flavour and general acceptability of food while keeping the calorie and fat content to a minimum.

Food processing units, food research labs, hospitals, large industrial and educational canteens, besides hotels, health clubs and fitness centres employ people specialising in food technology, nutrition and food services management.

Sports nutrition is yet another emerging area of specialisation.

It is a tough act to follow

Q: I’m 16 years old. My father wants me to do BTech but I want to join films. I want to know how can I become an actor?

— Vineet Lokhandwala

A: The road to success in the film industry is long, tough and competitive. For every Shahrukh and Salman, Aishwariya and Priyanka, there are countless others with stars in their eyes who don’t even manage to get a break. Speak to professionals working in the entertainment industry — actors, casting directors, agents, producers and directors. They will give you the insider secrets you need to succeed in acting.

And while you are at it, do also examine other alternatives because the film industry does not carry guarantees of permanent employment or fixed salaries. Which is why it is best to complete your studies so that you have a back-up plan in case your acting career is slow (or fails) to take off. However, while you are pursuing academics, you can always sign up for an acting course, audition for plays, TV or live entertainment programmes, to gain confidence and practical experience.

Entry into the profession is through various channels. Modelling is a popular mode of entry into the acting world. Many of our actors and actresses have gained entry into film and television work by being noticed on the modelling scene. The requirements of modelling and acting are not identical but the element of stage personality, a good sense of rhythm, being photogenic, an arresting face and figure, poise and professionalism are important traits which lead to offers of acting assignments.

Outstanding acting talent with a stage personality is a natural prerequisite. Other important attributes are good health, innate grace, co-ordinated movements with a good sense of rhythm, an aptitude for dancing and singing, a good, well modulated voice with proper diction and intonation, an arresting countenance rather than beauty or balance of features, ability to learn lines quickly and a good memory, a high degree of imagination and sensitivity to get the feel of a role and interpret it, versatility, abundant self-confidence, lots of energy, enthusiasm, optimism and resilience to bounce back from trying times.