Hello, I am currently a sophomore in high school. We are registering for our Junior year classes now. I know that two years of foreign language is required while three is “recommended”. I am currently in Spanish 2 as a sophomore, but want to take Chinese 1 Junior year and Chinese 2 Senior year. (Our school previously has not offered Chinese, but will start teaching Chinese 1 next year). Is this any (dis)advantage? Because I am taking four years of foreign language, they are just not the same language… Surely this must be better than taking two years of Spanish alone. My reason for choosing Chinese is because it is much more useful and stands out more than Spanish. I really want to go to a UC or California school, and already 33% of California speaks Spanish, so I don’t think 3 years of Spanish is an advantage at all. Could I please get some thoughts ---- Spanish 1 & 2 followed by Chinese 1 & 2 or just Spanish 1, 2, 3 (and no foreign language senior year)? Thank you!! :)>-
Yes, it’s a disadvantage. Schools that want three years are looking for Level 3 proficiency, meaning taking Spanish 3 or Chinese 3.
In your plan, your highest level would be level 2, which is usually looked at as less than if you complete level 3.
Remember that colleges may have foreign language graduation requirements that are higher than their admission requirements. Completing a higher level in high school may allow you to complete those requirements in fewer courses in college, due to initially higher placement.
I think continuing with Spanish would stand out more and be more useful than having two years of two different languages.
@brandonmacd1 - I applaud your ambition in wanting to explore an additional language, but the other posters are correct. Colleges look for the highest level achieved in a single foreign language.
Chinese is the worst choice my DD made LOL, if you are not a heritage speaker it is slow, and difficult and you won't learn much in 2 yrs. I say take all 4 yrs of spanish. Not 3.