At our school, we’re required to take two years of a foreign language. Now, I am not a big fan of taking foreign language classes as I’m already bilingual and honestly, I don’t really feel like I’ll have any use for Spanish in the future. My goal is to take two years and get it over with so that I can take more math, science, and English classes.
Will only taking two years reduce my chances of getting into high-end colleges? It’s just a rumor I’ve heard so I thought I might as well ask it here.
I think that you should take more than two as a means to learn a really good skill for employment. Furthermore, I think that there is something to be said about the validity of taking tough foreign language courses than easier electives. My biggest regret in my high school career was being so sophomoric in my sophomore year that I refused to do more than the bare minimum of foreign languages. However, if you were to replace the foreign languages with something equally or more rigorous (like math, science, or English), then I feel as if the sacrifice would be worth it. It may be best to put it on your schedule at first and changing it when you figure out what English/Science/Math course that you’d want to take in its stead.
It is not about how many years of a foriegn language you take, but what level you get to.
What language are you blingual in?
Could you take an AP test/class in that language?
What level of Spanish did you get to?
I thought that universities required at least some level of proficiency in a second language. However, if you are already bilingual, how many languages are they are going to expect? You might want to double check but I suspect that being fluent in two languages is enough.
The value of Spanish will depend upon what you do. If you are a software engineer it probably won’t be useful at all. If you go into nursing in the US then Spanish is quite useful (medicine in general is probably the same).
Taking more math and science sounds like a win to me.
But they might need “proof” that you are bilingual…be it via a test or course
Can you take an external test to prove what language you’re bilingual in, and what level have you reached in Spanish?
I’m taking Spanish I currently and I am bilingual in Urdu/Hindi (Very similar language(s) with few differences).
I honestly think that taking other math & science classes will help me MUCH more than two extra years of Spanish. Although, that’s just my personal opinion. If someone can convince me otherwise I think I’ll stick to my gut and continue down this path.
Yes, but not just for colleges.
Obviously, 2 years are required for most upper-level colleges – most colleges in general. However, colleges like seeing you go above and beyond. They generally don’t want students who will only do the bare minimum, they want students who will exceed the expectations.
Also, you will be able to communicate with so much more people! Spanish is the 2nd most spoken language in the US and in the world! However, it’s even more useful than Mandarin because if you’re not in China… who speaks Mandarin honestly?
You don’t need to take 4 years. But as long as you don’t hate Spanish and do pretty good in it (B+ or better I’d say) then I highly recommend 3 years!
Can you take a test (IGCSE???) in Hindi/Urdu? Some kind of heritage language test delivered by a cultural center or Embassy?
Since you’re bilingual, you don’t need to take more Spanish.
Selective colleges want level 4 or AP but being bilingual is so much better, especially if you’ve taken 2 years in yet another language! However they consider it more seriously if you’ve got it certified somehow. So, can you take the Spanish subject test and produce a certification for Urdu/Hindi?