<p>I'm a rising sophomore in the IB program, and for my sixth subject area I took Pre-IB Visual Arts I SL. I was planning on switching to the SL Art Research track, thus taking AP Art History next year, but I've developed a strong interest in taking French. There's no way to fit it into my schedule except by getting out of Art. My language is Spanish HL, which I don't like but have to take because I don't have any other classes in which I can HL and I want to get my Spanish over with. I'm a 1st generation American, with both my parents being Nicaraguan immigrants, but my Spanish is horrible. When choosing my classes as a rising freshman, I figured that I should take Spanish as a last chance to improve on my 'native' language. I regret that decision, but it's too late now.</p>
<p>To SL in French at my school, one takes Pre-IB French I and II freshman year, Pre-IB French III sophomore year, AP French junior year, and IB French senior year. If I were to switch out to French now, I would have to somehow convince the counselor to let me in the French program though most kids take it for four years. I would have to skip a class to do this, despite the fact that I have no previous experience in the language. Besides that, when taking the IB test I would be a definite disadvantage, having taken one less year. Also, I maneuvered my schedule in such a way that I would be able to take the SL Biology exam in junior year, so I can focus on just that test and get a good score in a subject I'm not very good at. If I take French...I won't be able to take Bio SL in junior year, because I would need to move it up in order to fit in TOK. </p>
<p>Also, in my community we have a prestigious award called "Silver Knight", and my project right now (which can be changed, because I haven't started yet) is to organize an art auction at a local gallery to raise money for landmine victims. I would be competed in the Art category. This project would obviously have to be changed if I were to switch to French. It would look out of place...I would have one year of Art on my transcript and yet a huge project competing in the art catergory. </p>
<p>There seems to be a lot of cons to taking French. To just stay in Art would be easier. And yet--I have a huge interest in taking this course! Since I plan to major in International Relations and then study International Law, knowing an extra language would come in handy. Then again, wouldn't French look like a "harder" class than Art...in the long run, I mean? I missed out in the experiance of taking a foreign language, because although my Spanish is horrible, it isn't foreign, having been part of my heritage.</p>
<p>So...any thoughts? Should I do what I want or follow my common sense? French or Art?</p>