Foreign Language requirement question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

This is true. However, I thought the point was that there was a new stricter rule. If you look at the 2025 bulletin, same FN, same page. Take the link above, and change to an earlier year, and let us know if it is different

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

This is true. However, I thought the point was that there was a new stricter rule. If you look at the 2025 bulletin, same FN, same page. Take the link above, and change to an earlier year, and let us know if it is different

I found this on the MCPS World Languages High section of their website. I can't tell the difference between the two. Gold star for whoever can.

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025 and beyond

Two credits in the same world languages or two credits in American Sign Language

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021-2024

Two credits in a world language, which may include American Sign Language, may be used to complete Option 1 of elective credits required for graduation. (If students select a world language to fulfill the Maryland diploma requirements, it is recommended that the two world language credits be in the same language.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

This is true. However, I thought the point was that there was a new stricter rule. If you look at the 2025 bulletin, same FN, same page. Take the link above, and change to an earlier year, and let us know if it is different

I found this on the MCPS World Languages High section of their website. I can't tell the difference between the two. Gold star for whoever can.

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025 and beyond

Two credits in the same world languages or two credits in American Sign Language

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021-2024

Two credits in a world language, which may include American Sign Language, may be used to complete Option 1 of elective credits required for graduation. (If students select a world language to fulfill the Maryland diploma requirements, it is recommended that the two world language credits be in the same language.)

“SAME” world language

With previous wording, people were taking one year of Spanish and then one year of ASL.

[Anonymous]

In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

It counts but the high school counselor said colleges like to see two years FL in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

It counts but the high school counselor said colleges like to see two years FL in high school.

Which they hopefully explain to the MS and 5th grade kids as it now takes away one of the advantages to taking the class before HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

It counts but the high school counselor said colleges like to see two years FL in high school.

OP here.. I think those are two separate things.

1. MCPS Graduation requirements state "two years of same language" -- but MCPS also includes MS FL (which my DC has).

Thank you to the PP who linked the course requirement, where it states in footnote for WL:

"1 World Languages: Choose from languages available at your school. Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school"

So, the way I'm reading it.. student can take Spanish A, B, 1 in MS (one year credit), and then Spanish 2 in HS (2 year credit).

In theory, student could not take anymore FL classes after this.

2. Colleges want to see two years of the same language in HS. This part I am clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

It counts but the high school counselor said colleges like to see two years FL in high school.

Which they hopefully explain to the MS and 5th grade kids as it now takes away one of the advantages to taking the class before HS.

agree.. but the communication is sorely lacking.

[Anonymous]

I teach languages in college. If your student is planning on a college or a major that is going to expect a certain level of language attainment (even a liberal arts major in another field is likely to have a language requirement at many schools), it is in that student's interest to take as much language in HS as they have time for. In my experience even students with 4+ years of the same FL in MS and HS often have trouble testing into the 3rd semester at the college level. Really robust work in HS (if the program is good and if the student has time) can free up graduation requirements in college, depending on the circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MS does foreign language count as HS credit?

Yes.

It counts but the high school counselor said colleges like to see two years FL in high school.

Which they hopefully explain to the MS and 5th grade kids as it now takes away one of the advantages to taking the class before HS.

No advantage is lost by starting a language in 6th grade. My DD is taking 2 languages and will definitely be able to reach AP by 11th grade in them both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

This is true. However, I thought the point was that there was a new stricter rule. If you look at the 2025 bulletin, same FN, same page. Take the link above, and change to an earlier year, and let us know if it is different

I found this on the MCPS World Languages High section of their website. I can't tell the difference between the two. Gold star for whoever can.

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025 and beyond

Two credits in the same world languages or two credits in American Sign Language

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021-2024

Two credits in a world language, which may include American Sign Language, may be used to complete Option 1 of elective credits required for graduation. (If students select a world language to fulfill the Maryland diploma requirements, it is recommended that the two world language credits be in the same language.)

“SAME” world language

With previous wording, people were taking one year of Spanish and then one year of ASL.

Try reading it again. Both say "same"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The county and state really need to clearly articulate the requirement and collegiate expectation. Is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language, OR is it 2 credits of the same Foreign Language taken while matriculating in HS?

That’s two very different things and has implications on both MS and HS course selection.

It's stated clearly here, as a PP posted upthread: Students must take two years of the same world language.

Course Bulletin, footnote on page 6 ¨Students may fulfill World Language graduation option in middle school.¨

http://coursebulletin.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/publications/HSCourseBulletin2023.pdf

That course bulletin is for students GRADUATING IN 2026
There are plenty of kids in 9th grade, 10th, 11th for whom this doesn't apply.

This is true. However, I thought the point was that there was a new stricter rule. If you look at the 2025 bulletin, same FN, same page. Take the link above, and change to an earlier year, and let us know if it is different

I found this on the MCPS World Languages High section of their website. I can't tell the difference between the two. Gold star for whoever can.

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2025 and beyond

Two credits in the same world languages or two credits in American Sign Language

Graduation Requirements for Class of 2021-2024

Two credits in a world language, which may include American Sign Language, may be used to complete Option 1 of elective credits required for graduation. (If students select a world language to fulfill the Maryland diploma requirements, it is recommended that the two world language credits be in the same language.)

“SAME” world language

With previous wording, people were taking one year of Spanish and then one year of ASL.

Try reading it again. Both say "same"

The change is that it's now a requirement for two years of the same language. It had previously been a recommendation.