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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]High school teacher and mom.  Just a heads up.  Students now need to take two years of the same foreign language IN HIGH SCHOOL, so it is a disadvantage for may students to start a foreign language so early.  Many kids who don't love foreign language arrive as 9th graders already having taken 2-3 years of a language and only have the choice of continuing the same language at a pretty high level OR take an entirely different language for two years.  For a person who doesn't love world languages, neither is a great option.  My oldest child took three years of Spanish in middle school (hated it) and was then faced with the choice I am speaking of. It was not a pleasant experience.  If I had it to do over again, I would have had him put off foreign language entirely in middle school.  He could've still reached level four of a language if he loved it in high school.  Instead, I would've had him take the high school technology credit in 8th grade (needed for graduation) to check off that box before high school.

I am not putting down foreign language or denying its benefits.  Some kids love it and really excel at it.  But for kids who don't, this can be a real hardship.[/quote]

I want to second this.  Middle school languages count for graduation requirements but many college want four years of HS foreign language.  If your kids is interested in competitive college and doesn’t love foreign language it is in their best interest to do all of their foreign language study in HS.[/quote]

This is incorrect and I wish folks would stop quoting it incorrectly:
- MS languages count towards graduation. Graduation requirement is 2 years of the SAME foreign language.
- Most colleges require 2years of same foreign language, which the graduation requirement covers, regardless of whether taken in MS or HS.
- Many colleges want to see at least some language taken in HS.  Whether this is 1-4 years is up to the student.
- Some specific highly selective colleges want to see 3-4 years of a foreign language. 
-Several of the current MCPS Special HS programs require students to have taken or be currently enrolled in at least one year of a foriegn language.[/quote]

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