<p>Not really sure where to put this...
Basically, my school offers no AP French, and not even a true French 5. French 5 students are lumped into the same class as French 4 students, and the same grammar is taught. The cultural lessons are different from year to year, but nothing else is. Would not taking French 4 (as French 5) penalize me in the eyes of adcoms of schools which require four years of high school language?</p>
<p>That's tough. Could you look into taking a French class at your local community college or something? The whole point of learning a language is to get better at it. If you're relearning everything, it's a waste of time.</p>
<p>You have four years under your belt if you've already taken French 4. Really I don't think it would penalize you, but you should look at your options. What would you take instead? Maybe a class you really like? An Honors? Maybe AP?</p>
<p>I shared sort of the same case, as I'm in a German 3 Class thats Honors and lumped with German 2 Students. I went my whole Freshmen year of High School without language (My Credits come from Middle School). Next year I will be the only Non-IB student in German 4. Because they are all taking their IB Language Exams, I worked out an agreement with my Teacher to help me study for the AP German Test and SAT2s, so I don't feel left out in that class. (My School doesn't offer AP German). </p>
<p>So, if you don't want to do it, take another class that you enjoy. If you do want to take it however, you could perhaps self-study for AP French? Depending on how comfortable you are with the Language. There's always the option of taking a Community College Class in French too if that's avaliable.</p>
<p>If French 5 appears on your transcript, then take "French 5" even if the material is the same as French 4. It looks good.</p>
<p>Otherwise, do what the above people say OR self study AP French and if possible have your GC put independent study- AP French on your transcript. Maybe you can have a French teacher at your school monitor and grade your progress.</p>
<p>Self studying, I believe, looks better than class work to colleges if that is what you are worried about.</p>
<p>I think that taking French classes at a CC would be comparable to AP French. So you could take a couple classes and then maybe try the AP Exam?</p>