English as a Second Language Confusion.

Applying to College
1

<p>What does english as a second language mean? I mean, my parents were born in China, but I was born and raised in NYC. I learned english starting in pre-k. I only speak Chinese at home, but English everywhere else. I have no idea how I learned to speak Chinese... maybe it's from listening to my parents speak, but I can't write/read or speak a lot of it though.</p>

<p>I will be applying to BU, and if english is NOT my first language, then I MUST take the TOEFL, unless I scored a 600+ on the CR section of the SAT. Unfortunately my SATs aren't looking so good for a Junior: 750M, 360CR, 510W.</p>

<p>So is english my second language or not? What do I mark on my Application?</p>

2

<p>no, english is your first language. It's possible to learn 2 languages simutanously</p>

3

<p>Thanks for clarrifying that up.</p>

4

<p>ok i'm english as a second language.
I came to the US last year from Korea. I was placed in ESL as a result. That is english as a second language.</p>

5

<p>i've had the same question. </p>

<p>what if I learned chinese first in China, moved when I was like 6, and then studied English for 10 years in America. which would be considered my first language?</p>

6

<p>Chinese................</p>