Hi everyone,
I’m a rising junior this year. I know that most universities require 3-4 years of a language in high school. I took Spanish 1 in 7th grade, Spanish 2 in 8th grade, Honors Spanish 3 freshman year, and IB Spanish SL I (Spanish 4 at my school) sophomore year. Does this still count as 4 years for colleges even though I took Spanish 1 and 2 in middle school? I have heard many mixed responses for this question at my school, so I wanted to get some input from CC.
Thanks!
For the vast majority of colleges, yes.
What is your objective? Are you concerned about meeting the entrance requirement for getting into a certain school or are you trying to “test out” of the foreign language requirement required at most colleges? Spanish 4 probably meets the entrance requirement for most colleges - except for the most elite schools.
If you are trying to “test out” of the foreign language proficiency requirement at most universities, you probably need to take the Spanish AP test (with or without the accompanying class) to document your level of proficiency. The IB Spanish (SL) test won’t hold the same weight as the AP Spanish test. The other alternative would be to take a Spanish placement test as a Freshmen in college. Could you pass one if you didn’t take Spanish as a junior and/or senior?
If you are planning to continue Spanish in college, why take two years off in between? How are you going to use the open slots in your schedule? Elite colleges will want to see that you take a rigorous course load, not study hall or easy elective. You might need to be able to answer the question “Why didn’t you take the highest level(s) of Spanish available at your school?” On the other hand, less selective colleges will probably give you more latitude and consider that you have fulfilled the entrance requirements. You will still have to take a placement test to find out what level Spanish class you should enroll in.
Sounds like you attend an IB school. If you aren’t doing full Diploma Program, you don’t need to test in Language B and are probably okay. If you are full DP, you need to take the IB class to take the IB exam.
BTW, Spanish 4 is NOT the same as IB Spanish (SL) because they use a different grading rubric and require other assignments (like IA’s) that Spanish 4 does not. Even if Spanish 4 and IB Spanish are taught the in same period/classroom and share the same list of vocabulary, they are not the same. If your transcript says “Spanish 4,” it may count as a fourth year of a language but you can’t say its IB Spanish and take the IB test (at least at our high school).
At my school, there is no class called Spanish 4. We only have Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Honors Spanish 3, AP Spanish Language & Culture, and IB Spanish SL 1 & 2. Our teachers told us that IB Spanish SL 1 would be equivalent to a Spanish 4 course in terms of workload, at least. We also did not have assignments called IA’s, so maybe my school teaches IB Spanish differently.
Also, I do not plan on continuing Spanish in college unless I am required to; instead of foreign languages I am focusing on science- and math-related classes (AP Physics 1, AP Chemistry, AP Calc BC, and AP Computer Science are my electives) because I plan to major in a science. There really is no open slot in my schedule @PolarMama.
Thanks for your responses!
Sorry if I misunderstood @rachael12. I wish you success in your upcoming classes. You seem like a very determined and hardworking student. I would like to suggest that you look at the general education requirements at some of the colleges you would like to attend and how they handle AP/IB credits. Many school require 2 years (or equivalent) of a foreign language that you could knock out in high school by taking the AP Test. This would allow you to avoid the very time-intensive language courses at the college level - especially since this isn’t your area of interest. Just a thought… Good luck!