<p>Hi everyone. I'm from another country and my first language is NOT English. I can speak, read and write my first language since it's my first language. I speak English well too and will be taking AP English next year. I also have good scores on SAT reading and writing. I have been reading information on competitive colleges. They say they prefer students who can speak a foreign language well. I did take a foreign language, Italian, here in the U.S., but I can't speak or read it well as my first language, but I'm already a bilingual. Would the fact that I can speak two languages (my first language and English )well help my college applications?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>It might. Just be sure to find a way to document that you are fully fluent in your first language.</p>
<p>Would taking the SAT II in my first language prove that I’m really fluent?</p>
<p>Yes it would. However, colleges will know that it was your first language and you will probably get a perfect score on it. They will just dismiss that since you didn’t really learn the language in school. It wouldn’t matter as much as if you could show proficiency in your second/third language. So if you got really good scores on the SAT english/writing or the SAT II Italian, then that would weigh in more. So just show that you know English really well and it will help.</p>
<p>If you plan to use your first language for your college language requirement (most places will let you do that), an AP or CLEP exam would be more likely to help you place into courses that are at your level. Most foreign language departments will offer placement exams as well, but you have to check with each college/university to find out what the situation is. The SAT II is a shorter exam, and is generally considered to be less difficult. However, SAT II exams are available for more languages so it might be the only one that is readily available.</p>
<p>I know that for German, French, and Spanish there are other internationally recognized exams offered by various foreign governments and/or language schools. You might contact the education officer at the consulate of a country where your first language is used to find out if they can recommend an exam for you.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to find out what the TOEFL/IELTS/other English placement exam requirements are for each of the colleges/universities you apply to you. Some may require it even if you have had seven years or more of English-language instruction.</p>