Looks like this forum is getting a lot of foreign language questions. Here are some frequently asked ones:
Q1: I took only [Language] 2 and 3 in high school, does that count as 2 or 3 years?
A1: At most colleges, the highest level completed is what counts. If level N is the Nth year course starting from the beginner course, than completing level N counts as N years (some high schools number the courses by semester; in this case, divide by 2 to get the level in terms of years). However, it has been reported that a few colleges prefer to see N actual courses in high school, even if you started at a level higher than 1 and your Nth course will be level N+1 or N+2.
Going the other way, taking beginner level courses in several languages tends to be less impressive. Taking level 1 of four different languages is generally not seen as anything close to completing level 3 or 4 of any one language.
If you are unsure about what a specific college wants, ask it directly if its web site is not clear.
Q2: I am a native or heritage speaker of a non-English language, and my skill in that language is higher than what the highest level course in my high school teaches. Do I need to take another language in high school?
A2: Some colleges look at it in terms of proficiency level. If you can prove a proficiency level at least as high as that which they require or recommend (often through an SAT subject or AP test score in a language), then they will accept that in lieu of high school language courses.
However, some other colleges, particularly more selective ones, expect students in English-speaking high schools to take a foreign language in high school even if they already have native or heritage knowledge of some other language. Taking another foreign language in high school can keep options to apply to those colleges more open.
If you are unsure about what a specific college wants, ask it directly if its web site is not clear.
Q3: [College X] wants some SAT subject tests. Can I submit the one for my native or heritage language?
A3: Some of those colleges who want SAT subject tests prefer that the SAT subject tests that they require or recommend do not include your native or heritage language. You can still submit such a score as an extra one (e.g. the third subject test to a college that requires two, as long as your two other subject tests fulfill the college’s requirements).
Q4: Do middle school language courses count?
A4: Middle school language courses may not be equivalent year for year to high school language courses, but they may place you into high school language courses higher than level 1. See Q1.
Q5: Do college language courses taken while in high school count?
A5: College language courses often cover material at a faster pace than high school language courses. A year of college language courses may be equivalent to two or even three years of high school language courses, depending on the high school or college. You need to check the high school and college for their equivalencies. If you take some high school language courses, then want to take college language courses, you may have to take a placement test before enrolling.
Q6: How do AP foreign language scores relate to placement in college foreign language courses?
A6: It depends on the college and the relevant department. Some use AP scores to recommend placement into various levels. Unlike most other AP scores, which tend to have passed versus not-passed threshold scores for advanced placement, it is possible for every different AP score to give a different placement (even a score of 2 may give placement higher than the beginner course in some cases, though higher scores may give higher placement). But some require or recommend their own placement tests before enrolling in foreign language courses, regardless of whether you have AP scores, since many students have some foreign language knowledge without AP scores.
You can check the college and department web sites to see what their placement guidelines are. If there is no information, ask the department directly.