Is it better to take three years of a language or two years of two languages?

Applying to College
1

<p>For example, I already took two years of spanish. Should I take one more "year" this summer? or just take another introductory class that would count as two "years" of a language? Because I hear some colleges prefer four years of a language... and I would only have three if i took spanish this summer.</p>

<p>AHHH I'M SO CONFUSED. i don't know what to do. advice?</p>

2

<p>More is Usually Better.</p>

3

<p>Only switch languages if you can get an 800 or close on the SATII.</p>

4

<p>Or if you've finished the sequence. For example, I've finished AP Spanish, and there are no more Spanish courses for me to take. Thus, for my senior year, I'm taking German (in large part because I love learning languages).</p>

5

<p>With 3 years of a language you have a chance to become proficient (not fluent), but able to read and understand the language. You could take part in a semester abroad program, and after immersion you would be fluent or something near it. 2 years of 2 different languages doesn't provide the same benefits, at least not for most people.</p>

<p>Personally, I'd be pretty skeptical about a summer course providing the same benefits as a year of actual study. It takes time to digest a language, practice in using it. Exceptions would be things like a summer immersion program such as the one Middlebury has, or a summer in a country speaking that language.</p>