Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With instantaneous translations software in the palms of children hands, world languages is one of the best examples of how universities and colleges have their heads in the sand regarding what this generation needs to be successful.

Obviously you don't regularly use translation software in a meaningful way.

Not really. Colleges are just looking for 3 years of a WL taken in HS. Only MCPS takes it to the extreme and offer WL classes as early as 6th grade. I respect the middle school principals that tell parents “don’t rush this because your kid has to do 3 years in HS anyway”.

WL is best learned young. First exposure in 6th grade is better than in 9th. Earlier than 6th would be better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're doing Spanish 5, but its strange there is no honors.

It’s not weird! WL can be a dumping ground just like any other elective.

No it’s not weird because it’s AL (advanced level) like a magnet class, instead of honors. That’s higher than honors.

Anonymous wrote:We're doing Spanish 5, but its strange there is no honors.

3+ is all honors level at least for calculating GPA

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With instantaneous translations software in the palms of children hands, world languages is one of the best examples of how universities and colleges have their heads in the sand regarding what this generation needs to be successful.

Obviously you don't regularly use translation software in a meaningful way.

Not really. Colleges are just looking for 3 years of a WL taken in HS. Only MCPS takes it to the extreme and offer WL classes as early as 6th grade. I respect the middle school principals that tell parents “don’t rush this because your kid has to do 3 years in HS anyway”.

Anonymous wrote:We're doing Spanish 5, but its strange there is no honors.

It’s not weird! WL can be a dumping ground just like any other elective.

The number of native and heritage speakers of Spanish taking the AP Spanish test nation-wide exceeds the number of native and heritage speakers in other AP language classes. It helps non-native and non-heritage learners of Spanish to have that extra year, particularly for the listening and speaking sections.

DD took Spanish 4 then switched to Virtual Academy the next year. They didn’t offer Spanish 5 so it was straight to AP. DD was in Spanish immersion since Kindergarten so it was pretty easy for her. I think it depends on the teacher and your child’s level of Spanish. She passed the AP test with a 5. The AP test is more about understanding the language than understanding content. A native speaker could probably take the test and ace it. Evaluate your child level of Spanish to see it they are ready for AP.

My older kid was an A student in honors Spanish until Spanish 5 which exposed gaps (granted, he took Spanish 4 honors during the 2020-21 online school year). He took Spanish 5 as a junior and got his first B, then took AP Spanish Lang as a senior and only scored a 4 on the AP exam, which confirmed for me it was a very good thing he took Spanish 5 before moving to AP. Younger child will take level 5 before moving to AP.

Anonymous wrote:With instantaneous translations software in the palms of children hands, world languages is one of the best examples of how universities and colleges have their heads in the sand regarding what this generation needs to be successful.

Obviously you don't regularly use translation software in a meaningful way.

With instantaneous translations software in the palms of children hands, world languages is one of the best examples of how universities and colleges have their heads in the sand regarding what this generation needs to be successful.

Anonymous wrote:At our school AP Spanish Language is taken after Spanish 3 Honors, so during the 4th year.

Those who don't want to take AP Spanish can take Spanish 4 instead.

Which school? I didn’t realize any MCPS high schools did that.

At our school AP Spanish Language is taken after Spanish 3 Honors, so during the 4th year.

Those who don't want to take AP Spanish can take Spanish 4 instead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school has Spanish 5, Spanish 6, and no AP is Spanish 7. Do kids really need to take 5 and 6 before AP? That seems especially long.

Are you sure you’re not confusing this with IB Spanish 5, 6, and 7? That’s different. Are you at an IB school like Bcc, Einstein, or RM?

You are right! Sorry for adding to the confusion. Our school offers both AP and IB classes.

So if my kid goes the AP route, he would do Spanish 5 sophomore year then AP Spanish junior year? Is there an option for senior year if you do that?

For IB, it sounds like it's Spanish 5 sophmore year and then a two-year IB sequence for junior and senior years.

Some schools have two AP Spanish classes: AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Spanish Literature and Culture.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school has Spanish 5, Spanish 6, and no AP is Spanish 7. Do kids really need to take 5 and 6 before AP? That seems especially long.

Are you sure you’re not confusing this with IB Spanish 5, 6, and 7? That’s different. Are you at an IB school like Bcc, Einstein, or RM?

You are right! Sorry for adding to the confusion. Our school offers both AP and IB classes.

So if my kid goes the AP route, he would do Spanish 5 sophomore year then AP Spanish junior year? Is there an option for senior year if you do that?

For IB, it sounds like it's Spanish 5 sophmore year and then a two-year IB sequence for junior and senior years.

Anonymous wrote:Our school has Spanish 5, Spanish 6, and no AP is Spanish 7. Do kids really need to take 5 and 6 before AP? That seems especially long.

Are you sure you’re not confusing this with IB Spanish 5, 6, and 7? That’s different. Are you at an IB school like Bcc, Einstein, or RM?