To add to this previous post about sequencing, we are just past college applications and the trends we've heard for competitive VA schools are that they want to see the SAME world language all 4 years in HS. So no switching part way to another language, and no stopping in 11th grade just because you've reached what should be an acceptable level like French 4 or whatever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some college apps want to see it more recent in HS. Better to wait until HS.

Are you saying colleges prefer to see students taking a lower-level language course in high school rather than the highest possible level? This isn’t a one-and-done, it’s the first course in a long sequence, and if you start earlier you advance further in the sequence prior to college applications.

Some colleges place a higher value on "4 years of language in HS". Meaning....you could do either of these to satisfy this college applications trend (it's not explicit but it is a known desirable parameter for admissions at schools like UVA).

9th Spanish 1
10th Spanish 2
11th Spanish 3
12th Spanish 4

OR you could do the following:
7/8th Spanish 1
9th Spanish 2
10th Spanish 3
11th Spanish 4
12th Spanish 5 or AP Spanish

My junior in HS took this second route and is having a hard time in Spanish 4 HN and is dreading taking another level as a senior next year. I wish she had not started Spanish 1 until 9th grade. Basically, she could have taking something fun in MS like another theater class or art and saved the world languages for HS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this has me even more confused! Sounds like you leave middle school with Spanish 1 credit for high school either route, so no matter what you are at Spanish 2 in high school. So it sounds like it’s just do you want to get there slower or faster based on your child? Nothing changes as far as entry point at high school language?

There’s nothing to be confused about. What a weird response. Your child either takes Spanish 1 in 7th, Spanish 2 in 8th, and then Spanish 3 in 9th OR Spanish 1 in 8th and Spanish 2 in 9th. Duh.

There is no Spanish 2 option at any grade at Thoreau middle school. They only offer Spanish one either split slowly over seventh and eighth or just taken in eighth. You are the one who is misunderstanding.

It’s still not confusing. Pick Spanish 1 in 8th and be done with it. Take 7th grade off. Would not split Spanish 1 into two years.

Anonymous wrote:Some college apps want to see it more recent in HS. Better to wait until HS.

Are you saying colleges prefer to see students taking a lower-level language course in high school rather than the highest possible level? This isn’t a one-and-done, it’s the first course in a long sequence, and if you start earlier you advance further in the sequence prior to college applications.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this has me even more confused! Sounds like you leave middle school with Spanish 1 credit for high school either route, so no matter what you are at Spanish 2 in high school. So it sounds like it’s just do you want to get there slower or faster based on your child? Nothing changes as far as entry point at high school language?

There’s nothing to be confused about. What a weird response. Your child either takes Spanish 1 in 7th, Spanish 2 in 8th, and then Spanish 3 in 9th OR Spanish 1 in 8th and Spanish 2 in 9th. Duh.

There is no Spanish 2 option at any grade at Thoreau middle school. They only offer Spanish one either split slowly over seventh and eighth or just taken in eighth. You are the one who is misunderstanding.

Anonymous wrote:Reading this has me even more confused! Sounds like you leave middle school with Spanish 1 credit for high school either route, so no matter what you are at Spanish 2 in high school. So it sounds like it’s just do you want to get there slower or faster based on your child? Nothing changes as far as entry point at high school language?

There’s nothing to be confused about. What a weird response. Your child either takes Spanish 1 in 7th, Spanish 2 in 8th, and then Spanish 3 in 9th OR Spanish 1 in 8th and Spanish 2 in 9th. Duh.

Anonymous wrote:Reading this has me even more confused! Sounds like you leave middle school with Spanish 1 credit for high school either route, so no matter what you are at Spanish 2 in high school. So it sounds like it’s just do you want to get there slower or faster based on your child? Nothing changes as far as entry point at high school language?

Some MS offer Spanish 1 and 2, the regular HS classes taken in 7th and 8th grade. Some offer it as a slower class split between 7th and 8th grade for one HS class. Some MS offer both.

It depends on your kid. We are hoping DS takes his AP Language as a Sophomore, maybe a Junior, I don’t know if AP languiage is year 4 or 5, and then have an extra year or two to take other electives.

Reading this has me even more confused! Sounds like you leave middle school with Spanish 1 credit for high school either route, so no matter what you are at Spanish 2 in high school. So it sounds like it’s just do you want to get there slower or faster based on your child? Nothing changes as far as entry point at high school language?

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. If your kid is coming from an elementary school where they did Spanish once or twice a week. Do you think they need the slower pace?

Does Spanish 1 work as if a child is coming from zero exposure to Spanish? That might help me make the decision. I was thinking of it as a continuation of their elementary school elective Spanish, but it sounds like maybe it is a brand new from zero course?

They do not need the slower pace at all. In fact, most middle schools have eliminated the slower class that is spread over two years. They are now offering Spanish/French 1 and 2. Kids can begin in 7th. I would definitely start by 8th and that way your child can go all the way up to level 5 AP if they want by senior year. I actually wish my child started in 7th but it wasn’t an option then. They plan to do 4 years so they will be done with language after junior year. Being done by sophomore year would be a huge advantage and leave more room in my child’s schedule for other electives. However, it is considered a high school course so they do have to put effort into it. It was nice starting in 8th because it gave my child time to adjust in 7th without worry of grades on transcripts.

Some college apps want to see it more recent in HS. Better to wait until HS.

Thank you. If your kid is coming from an elementary school where they did Spanish once or twice a week. Do you think they need the slower pace?

Does Spanish 1 work as if a child is coming from zero exposure to Spanish? That might help me make the decision. I was thinking of it as a continuation of their elementary school elective Spanish, but it sounds like maybe it is a brand new from zero course?

The school provides an option to spread Spanish 1 or French 1 over two years (1A in 7th + 1B in 8th) to make it easier, especially for students who have not been exposed to the language before.

Anonymous wrote:I’m registering my child for 7th and am confused on world language. What is benefit of taking it in 7th and 8th versus just 8th? It greatly eliminates other elective options since it is full year. Average student.

Kids in language immersion normally take that language in 7th grade. For some kids, they take language in MS so they have more elective space in HS where there are more interesting electives.

No benefit. Just wait until 8th or 9th grade.

I’m registering my child for 7th and am confused on world language. What is benefit of taking it in 7th and 8th versus just 8th? It greatly eliminates other elective options since it is full year. Average student.