Foreign language

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the question is whether you need to take three years of French in high school or just get the level of French 3 which you can usually do with two years of college and one middle school.

I think we have said it may depend on the college, but several of us have posted experience with successful college applications with only two years of language in HS.

This question about language is asked every couple of months, people show up to categorically state that you need 4 years of language, parents of kids (like us) who had good college outcomes with 2 -3 years of language pipe in to say, "mm..not really", and more 4-yearsers show up to drown us out..

YOU DON'T NEED 4 YEARS OF LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL

I hope this is true. My son has been studying Latin for 3 years in middle school and 2 years in high school, making it a total of 5 years, and he is currently taking AP Latin. He's considering skipping the language next year because the other courses are too rigorous, and I've been really worried about it.

Don't worry. He will be fine skipping. If you still have some doubts despite all the the parents posting here but would rather believe some abstract requirement, have him join the Latin Club or some such at school and become an officer or otherwise stay engaged through 12th grade. that should show commitment to Latin.

[Anonymous]

I really don't understand the anti-language folks. I can't remember a lick of algebra or chemistry and thought they both were a waste of time. What's the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind many colleges and universities (especially LACs!) have a requirement for foreign language while you're in college. So stopping early does your student no favors.

People keep saying this but it isn’t necessarily true.

Some students would *gasp* prefer to study the language in college than in high school where the classroom experience involves a lot of disciplining and chaos management in English.

Some students do well in the language and drop it to focus on preferred electives and do just fine with college admissions and meeting the college requirements for language.

There isn’t One Path.

Lol bullshit. There’s not a single kid in college who didn’t take four years of language in high school who put it off because they really really wanted to take it in college. What a joke.

Mine hated language. He did complete a total of three years (1+2) and stopped. Had no issues getting into a T20. Guess what he did? He started a completely new language in college (completely unnecessary for his major and his college) and is now at Level 4 proficiency. Kids do crazy things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the question is whether you need to take three years of French in high school or just get the level of French 3 which you can usually do with two years of college and one middle school.

I think we have said it may depend on the college, but several of us have posted experience with successful college applications with only two years of language in HS.

This question about language is asked every couple of months, people show up to categorically state that you need 4 years of language, parents of kids (like us) who had good college outcomes with 2 -3 years of language pipe in to say, "mm..not really", and more 4-yearsers show up to drown us out..

YOU DON'T NEED 4 YEARS OF LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL

I hope this is true. My son has been studying Latin for 3 years in middle school and 2 years in high school, making it a total of 5 years, and he is currently taking AP Latin. He's considering skipping the language next year because the other courses are too rigorous, and I've been really worried about it.

Don't worry. He will be fine skipping. If you still have some doubts despite all the the parents posting here but would rather believe some abstract requirement, have him join the Latin Club or some such at school and become an officer or otherwise stay engaged through 12th grade. that should show commitment to Latin.

Well, sure -- but this kid took LATIN all the way through AP. That's pretty weighty. Of course, one wonders why he didn't choose a language that 21st century humans actually speak, but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind many colleges and universities (especially LACs!) have a requirement for foreign language while you're in college. So stopping early does your student no favors.

People keep saying this but it isn’t necessarily true.

Some students would *gasp* prefer to study the language in college than in high school where the classroom experience involves a lot of disciplining and chaos management in English.

Some students do well in the language and drop it to focus on preferred electives and do just fine with college admissions and meeting the college requirements for language.

There isn’t One Path.

Lol bullshit. There’s not a single kid in college who didn’t take four years of language in high school who put it off because they really really wanted to take it in college. What a joke.

Mine hated language. He did complete a total of three years (1+2) and stopped. Had no issues getting into a T20. Guess what he did? He started a completely new language in college (completely unnecessary for his major and his college) and is now at Level 4 proficiency. Kids do crazy things.

LOL, how do you know he "had no issue" getting into a T20? Did you sit in on the AdCom meetings? Or are you assuming that just because he wasn't waitlisted he had no issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really don't understand the anti-language folks. I can't remember a lick of algebra or chemistry and thought they both were a waste of time. What's the difference?

I don't think most of us are anti-language. I'm multi-lingual and can speak/read/write 4 and speak 5 languages. I'd much rather they teach kids how to speak..just speak. Don't waste time on the fancy stuff. The vast majority of kids are not going to ever read/write so why bother?

Chemistry and Algebra are gateway courses to higher level education, unless you want to become a mover or do my lawn for a living (not that there's anything wrong with it). I'd say more important than a language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't understand the anti-language folks. I can't remember a lick of algebra or chemistry and thought they both were a waste of time. What's the difference?

I don't think most of us are anti-language. I'm multi-lingual and can speak/read/write 4 and speak 5 languages. I'd much rather they teach kids how to speak..just speak. Don't waste time on the fancy stuff. The vast majority of kids are not going to ever read/write so why bother?

Chemistry and Algebra are gateway courses to higher level education, unless you want to become a mover or do my lawn for a living (not that there's anything wrong with it). I'd say more important than a language.

By your logic high schools shouldn't teach English either.

Just because you can speak a language at home doesn't mean you have any education in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, not the OP but I have an actual question related to the topic, as opposed to a criticism for another poster:

My DC is a sophomore and takes Spanish. They have the option to skip a year of Spanish and take Spanish AP next year, which would leave them without an option for a language as a senior. Is it better to do this or to not skip Spanish and save Spanish AP for senior year.

DC is a good student and likes Spanish (but isn't amazing at it). I assume if the school says they can skip a year then they will be able to handle AP next year (and it will leave space for another AP senior year)...on the flip side, maybe actually taking all Spanish all four years will be better for both language learning and college admissions?

If they're not "amazing" at it, why skip a year? Sounds like a set up to struggle in AP Spanish.

Because they will be good enough at it and it would mean they could take a different elective senior year...the question is, is it worth it/is it better to take Spanish all four years?

[Anonymous]

DC will have had six years of Japanese come graduation (started in Middle School) and doesn't intend to drop after the minimum. I'll let you know in two years when college acceptances have come in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't understand the anti-language folks. I can't remember a lick of algebra or chemistry and thought they both were a waste of time. What's the difference?

I don't think most of us are anti-language. I'm multi-lingual and can speak/read/write 4 and speak 5 languages. I'd much rather they teach kids how to speak..just speak. Don't waste time on the fancy stuff. The vast majority of kids are not going to ever read/write so why bother?

Chemistry and Algebra are gateway courses to higher level education, unless you want to become a mover or do my lawn for a living (not that there's anything wrong with it). I'd say more important than a language.

By your logic high schools shouldn't teach English either.

Just because you can speak a language at home doesn't mean you have any education in it.

Fine.. Don't learn English, Chemistry or Math but learn Spanish. I have a job waiting for you..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, not the OP but I have an actual question related to the topic, as opposed to a criticism for another poster:

My DC is a sophomore and takes Spanish. They have the option to skip a year of Spanish and take Spanish AP next year, which would leave them without an option for a language as a senior. Is it better to do this or to not skip Spanish and save Spanish AP for senior year.

DC is a good student and likes Spanish (but isn't amazing at it). I assume if the school says they can skip a year then they will be able to handle AP next year (and it will leave space for another AP senior year)...on the flip side, maybe actually taking all Spanish all four years will be better for both language learning and college admissions?

If they're not "amazing" at it, why skip a year? Sounds like a set up to struggle in AP Spanish.

Because they will be good enough at it and it would mean they could take a different elective senior year...the question is, is it worth it/is it better to take Spanish all four years?

I really don't think it matters. If you are giving up AP for another language, I'd say that doesn't make sense, but if AP is covered then do what you want. I don't think colleges will care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind many colleges and universities (especially LACs!) have a requirement for foreign language while you're in college. So stopping early does your student no favors.

People keep saying this but it isn’t necessarily true.

Some students would *gasp* prefer to study the language in college than in high school where the classroom experience involves a lot of disciplining and chaos management in English.

Some students do well in the language and drop it to focus on preferred electives and do just fine with college admissions and meeting the college requirements for language.

There isn’t One Path.

Lol bullshit. There’s not a single kid in college who didn’t take four years of language in high school who put it off because they really really wanted to take it in college. What a joke.

Mine hated language. He did complete a total of three years (1+2) and stopped. Had no issues getting into a T20. Guess what he did? He started a completely new language in college (completely unnecessary for his major and his college) and is now at Level 4 proficiency. Kids do crazy things.

LOL, how do you know he "had no issue" getting into a T20? Did you sit in on the AdCom meetings? Or are you assuming that just because he wasn't waitlisted he had no issue?

DP. Do people like you just drink some a-hole tonic and show up here to practice a-holery? Seriously?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really don't understand the anti-language folks. I can't remember a lick of algebra or chemistry and thought they both were a waste of time. What's the difference?

I don't think most of us are anti-language. I'm multi-lingual and can speak/read/write 4 and speak 5 languages. I'd much rather they teach kids how to speak..just speak. Don't waste time on the fancy stuff. The vast majority of kids are not going to ever read/write so why bother?

Chemistry and Algebra are gateway courses to higher level education, unless you want to become a mover or do my lawn for a living (not that there's anything wrong with it). I'd say more important than a language.

By your logic high schools shouldn't teach English either.

Just because you can speak a language at home doesn't mean you have any education in it.

Fine.. Don't learn English, Chemistry or Math but learn Spanish. I have a job waiting for you..

Racist much?

I majored in Spanish in college, became an international lawyer, made millions and retired at 15 years early. My literacy in Spanish - yes, literacy, not just ability to speak it - has enriched my life and the life of my family in ways that math and chemistry ever did or could.

By, hey, go ahead and disparage the language spoken and the culture lived spoken by more than any human beings on the planet outside of China if it makes you feel good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind many colleges and universities (especially LACs!) have a requirement for foreign language while you're in college. So stopping early does your student no favors.

People keep saying this but it isn’t necessarily true.

Some students would *gasp* prefer to study the language in college than in high school where the classroom experience involves a lot of disciplining and chaos management in English.

Some students do well in the language and drop it to focus on preferred electives and do just fine with college admissions and meeting the college requirements for language.

There isn’t One Path.

Lol bullshit. There’s not a single kid in college who didn’t take four years of language in high school who put it off because they really really wanted to take it in college. What a joke.

Mine hated language. He did complete a total of three years (1+2) and stopped. Had no issues getting into a T20. Guess what he did? He started a completely new language in college (completely unnecessary for his major and his college) and is now at Level 4 proficiency. Kids do crazy things.

LOL, how do you know he "had no issue" getting into a T20? Did you sit in on the AdCom meetings? Or are you assuming that just because he wasn't waitlisted he had no issue?

DP. Do people like you just drink some a-hole tonic and show up here to practice a-holery? Seriously?

Sorry for calling out hyperbole. But that’s what it is. With no basis in fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the question is whether you need to take three years of French in high school or just get the level of French 3 which you can usually do with two years of college and one middle school.

I think we have said it may depend on the college, but several of us have posted experience with successful college applications with only two years of language in HS.

This question about language is asked every couple of months, people show up to categorically state that you need 4 years of language, parents of kids (like us) who had good college outcomes with 2 -3 years of language pipe in to say, "mm..not really", and more 4-yearsers show up to drown us out..

YOU DON'T NEED 4 YEARS OF LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL

But what about what Dean J wrote on a blog once? I follow her like a God and do everything she says. I am so in awe of her I can’t even say her entire name.

We love Dean J and treated every word of hers like gospel. I'm the parent that posted about college outcomes for 2 of my kids with different profiles. DC1 applied and got into UVA with 3 years of language (1+2). He loved UVA but eventually chose to go elsewhere.

DC2 did not have the profile for UVA. He did 4 years of language (1+3). No AP. Got into several colleges without issues.

BTW, Dean J also doesn't say that UVA protects yield (or manages yield) ..or maybe she says they don't). They do. Tons of posts on here and we also know several kids with great profiles that are not admitted. So take what people in the business say with a grain of salt.

She def. is still one of the best in the business..