I have a dilemma. I didn’t realize how important taking a foreign language was and didn’t start a language, German, until this year (I’m a sophomore). At this point, I have a few options:
Take German II next year and stop taking a language after that and concentrate on other fields. My school only requires two years of language
Take German II and III in junior and senior year. (I don’t know the point of doing that, though)
Try to somehow pass German II over the summer and get into German III. (This is highly unlikely not because I’m not willing to do it, but because my school will not allow it because they don’t think that it’s a wise decision. The only way they would probably let me do this is if so go IB, which I have to decide in the next week.)
My point is, should I just get my language credit over with because I already started to late and focus on other studies, or should I try to catch up (but then go IB, which I’m not opposed to, but I’m a little hesitant because of it’s strict schedule—I want to major in STEM and there are more science options for AP)
If only I knew how important a foreign language was…sigh…
If none of your target colleges suggest more than 2 years, then you can stop after 2. If any require more, then continue to 3.
@rappapon - Perhaps a third option might be to take a dual enrollment college course over the summer at a local university or community college (assuming they offer German classes during the summer). That would allow you to skip a year and take German III next year.
There are a number of online programs that could offer flexibility in terms of scheduling. A few possibilities for online language learning would include Oregon State; Univ. of Wisconsin, U Maryland, and Arizona State.
I don’t understand what correlation there is with skipping a year of language study and being in the IB program. The IB program would give you a really solid education, but it’s quite demanding (in a good way) and is very writing-intensive.
What STEM are you interested in? If math, and you may want to go on to PhD study, a reading knowledge of German (or French or Russian) is generally considered useful, and may be required in PhD programs.
@LoveTheBard I want to use an online program, but the school won’t let me unless I have a reason that’s not “I want to graduate with four language courses” because they think doing that it is too hard on the student.
The thing with IB is that it’s something my school offers IB as a junior and senior. To get the full IB diploma, you have to finish school with four language credits, which is why they would let you skip a year of language study; otherwise, the counselors at my school would not allow you to skip a year because they don’t see a point in doing so.
@skieurope @ucbalumnus I’m not really sure where I want to go or what I want to do, which is a problem. Only that I think I want to do science or math… and like @ucbalumnus said, language will probably be important so…
I don’t know whether I should just give up or not ?
Your reason shouldn’t be “I want to graduate with four language courses” but that you “would like to be able to become proficient in the language more quickly.”
If you take an online course, you are not “skipping a year;” or taking few years of study – you are accelerating your studies by taking summer classes to get to a more advanced level more quickly. Might you continue German into your senior year? Can you get through the AP level? (that might help later on with GE requirements in college).
I’d advise you take German II+III as having only level 2 will lose off many selective universities.
Sorry for the late reply, but just for an update, I decided to go IB anyways because I think I like IB’s system a little more than AP. Thus, I am doing German II online right now. Thanks for all you help!