<p>I took Latin for several years in middle school, did well, and will get credit for Latin 1 on my high school transcript. I could continue in Latin for high school and complete 5 years. However, I was thinking of switching to Spanish- either begin in Spanish 1 and complete 4 years, or study over the summer, place into Spanish 2 my freshman year and complete 5 years. I am undecided and would like input from those familiar with the pros and cons of each language. Thanks!</p>
<p>How much did you like Latin?</p>
<p>Spanish is more useful in terms of speaking, Latin might be more useful in terms of better understanding English words and grammar.</p>
<p>I never liked the actual class, because the majority of students were mainly obnoxious guys not in my grade. But, the teachers I've had and met from the high school have been/seem wonderful, very knowledgeble and easygoing. The language itself I'm basically indifferent to- lots of memorization, fairly easy A. I was thinking it might be fun to start a spoken language which I've never had any experience with, unless the benefits of intermediate Latin are great or Spanish isn't as useful/enjoyable as it sounds.</p>
<p>I'd look into how Spanish is taught at your HS - if the teachers are terrible, I'd stick with Latin...my experience is that the teacher really does make the class. I take Spanish and I really wish I chose French instead...mainly because of the absolutely amazing French teacher at my school who teaches real French (several of her students have actually went on to major in French), unlike the horrific Spanish faculty. I am looking forward to dropping Spanish on graduation day (:</p>
<p>Latin will also help you with your grammar. Languages, when started from scratch, are all basically memory work, and there's very few speaking in the first couple years of spoken languages beyond "going to the park", "meeting up with friends" and eating "fried chicken with plantains".</p>
<p>I would definitely stick with the Latin because if you ever do decide to go on with Spanish or French later on then you have a very solid base with the Latin.</p>
<p>I'd go with spanish, 10000x more useful IMHO
but then again, i do live in Florida.
you already have a solid latin foundation, right?</p>
<p>I'd stick with Latin. At least in my school, the people taking Spanish I in high school are mostly idiots who couldn't pass a language in middle school. You don't want to be in a class with those people - you won't learn anything. However, if you absolutely love Spanish, go for it.</p>