<p>My primary language is english. Currently I am taking Spanish in school and plan on taking it all for years; however, I am also learning another language on the side that is not usually taught or learned that often in the US. If I can read, speak, and write as well as I can in Spanish, would it be good to add to my application? How much could it help with me with my chances to do this?</p>
<p>It certainly couldn’t hurt you. Schools generally like to see you study a foreign language (or languages) up to the level in which you are proficient at speaking and reading in the language. I mean, if you’re taking a different language a year and emerge knowing a little bit about each language but being proficient in none, that would reflect poorly on an application.</p>
<p>Colleges will be impressed by self-study. But to prove mastery you’ll need to take the SAT2 or AP test - check out the dates, some languages are only offered in November or December (SATSubject). If your language is not offered as a test, you’ll need some other way to certify your level of proficiency.</p>