French or Spanish?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Ehh, I posted in the wrong forum! So...here's the deal:</p>

<p>I'm in eighth grade (I know it's early to be thinking about college, but I just want to stay informed!) and this time of year, we're getting our freshman schedules together, choosing courses (pre-APs al the way with possibly one AP), and pretty much getting ready. My question is would it be better to do four years of Spanish or French? I'm taking Spanish I pre-AP this year, and getting credit, and at the moment am planning on taking Spanish II pre-AP. Would it be smarter however to take French if I'd like to go to a selective school? I'm from Texas, and in my town EVERYONE applies to state schools or Rice if they're "going for the gold." I want better than that.</p>

<p>What would you suggest? French or Spanish? For all four years...</p>

2

<p>If your ethnicity isnt a spanish-speaking one....i think spanish would be fine</p>

<p>although i admittedly don't know what colleges prefer.</p>

3

<p>Thank you novalord2. I'm not from a Spanish-speaking family, and thank you for taking the time to reply.</p>

<p>Another option is German. I'd love to hear more opinions!</p>

4

<p>German is an easier class because German and English are quite similar. </p>

<p>But since you're in SoCal (like me, woo hoo!), I would STRONGLY advise Spanish. I took two years, and even that was highly beneficial to me because I understand and can speak basic Spanish. Trust me, it comes in VERY handy. When are you going to use French?</p>

5

<p>how do you have Spanish I Pre-AP, if no one has spoken the language before</p>

6

<p>wait novalord
what does being hispanic have to do with taking a spanish class?</p>

7

<p>At some schools, especially in SoCal, if you're hispanic you have to take "Spanish for Spanish Speakers" instead of Spanish. To keep kids from taking Spanish for the easy A if they're already fluent.</p>

8

<p>ohh. i guess that makes sense</p>

<p>although my best friend is Mexican and can't speak Spanish to save her life.</p>

9

<p>Well..I don't know for sure, but I would assume they give you a test to see your abilities, because I know many kids in that situation as well.</p>

10

<p>That happens at my school too HisGrace. </p>

<p>Westside, I don't really understand your question.</p>

11

<p>Here in Georgia they test hispanics for Spanish fluency. There's a freshman in my Spanish 4H class, the rest of us are juniors and seniors.</p>

12

<p>It really doesn't matter. French is more popular internationally whereas Spanish is more useful domestically (especially in California and Florida and Texas).</p>

13

<p>It doesn't matter what language you take. Don't take something just because it'll look good, take something because you'll do well in it.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
When are you going to use French?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Fancy eateries. What's more embarrassing than not being able to understand the menu? LOL I'm just kidding.... you'd have to go out of my town to find a French menu.</p>

15

<p>I personally wish I had taken French instead of Spanish. Of course Spanish can come in handy, but French would be a greater asset for travel and studying European history (I guess), etc. Isn't there are also a larger French literature base than Spanish literature? </p>

<p>Then again, colleges like continuity and it's, judging from most of the posts, really useful down there. I chose Spanish for practicality in 6th grade, and I just wish I had done a bit more research.</p>

16

<p>French sounds cool and it is popular in the international arena. But I still like Spanish better sooo many countries speak it.</p>

17

<p>I LOVE FRENCH!!!!! The language is amazig! I'm so glad i didn't choose spanish! It is frustrating, but it's still amazing! However, I would stick w/ spanish in your case. You've already started with it and there is NOTHING wrong with spanish. Also, you'll be able to take AP in your senior year. :)</p>

18

<p>The</a> 50 Most Widely Spoken Languages in the World</p>

<p>French is #14, but Spanish is at #3.</p>

19

<p>Sorry to go off topic, but how come they have an SAT 2 for like French, German etc. but NOT Hindi. So many people in the US speak it and it's becoming famous. I think within the next decade they'll have one.</p>

20

<p>You have the option to take German? Then take German! It is far more interesting than Spanish or French because of the history and such behind it. With German, you have access to the greatest academic writings on science and history, where the Germans excel. The Germans are very prominent in business, as well. If you have any desire to get into upper-management business, German will serve you quite well. </p>

<p>On the difficulty scale for English speakers, it probably goes something like this:</p>

<p>Spanish -> German -> French</p>

<p>Although some would say, due to English being a low-Germanic tongue, it would go:</p>

<p>German -> Spanish -> French</p>

<p>Modern German is of the High-Germanic variety linguistically and it will only differ in some grammar. Spelling is pretty similar as well. </p>

<p>Don't take my word for it though. Find out which language you enjoy the most, because if you don't like to learn that language, you will do badly in the class and not actually learn anything.</p>

<p>If you decide to take German, feel free to PM with questions or comments!</p>

<p>Tschüß! (German for See ya!)</p>