Years of Foreign Language in High School

[Anonymous]

Would colleges prefer to see five years of French versus three years of French and two years of Latin?

[Anonymous]

Yes, 5 yrs of one language is better.

[Anonymous]

The same language is generally preferred. However, my DC switched after three in one and did two in another after talking it over with his GC. He's a senior now and it doesn't appeared have hurt his college chances. (Note: he's applied to some pretty competitive schools, but not HYPS.)

[Anonymous]

I've always heard at least level 4 of one language with three of those levels being in high school.

[Anonymous]

Have your eye as much on what your student will need to take in college as you do on might look good/best for college admissions.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the school. The most competitive schools want to see at least 4 years. Other schools are okay with 3. Most state schools require 2.

[Anonymous]

But what they really want is good grades. If French is bringing misery, and your child would be happier switching, this choice isn't going to be what gets your kid rejected to Harvard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But what they really want is good grades. If French is bringing misery, and your child would be happier switching, this choice isn't going to be what gets your kid rejected to Harvard.

Yes, this.

[Anonymous]

5 years. Plus 3 years may not be enough to pass the college language test or requirement.

[Anonymous]

Can latin and ancient greek count as foreign languages, even though they are dead languages?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Can latin and ancient greek count as foreign languages, even though they are dead languages?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Can latin and ancient greek count as foreign languages, even though they are dead languages?

Yes.

Good news, thanks PP. My son does much better with those than ones for which verbal fluency is more important.

[Anonymous]

My DC is on pace to complete the 4th year as a Sophomore and take the AP (was in an IBMYP school and started in the language at age 2). OK to add a second language after that? Seems like it should be.

[Anonymous]

Check specific college requirements for target schools, especially if your DC doesn't want to take any more language and you are only making them do it because DCUM told you that no one can go to college with only French 3.

I know a parent who is forcing their student to take language through AP specifically so he can "test out of it" at the school he hopes to go to (VA Tech). VA Tech requires two years of high school foreign language, and if you don't have that, you need to take one year there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Can latin and ancient greek count as foreign languages, even though they are dead languages?

Greek is not a dead language, only ancient Greek.