I’m currently a Junior in High School, and this is how my Foreign Language competion looks:
9th Grade: Spanish I A/B
10th Grade: Spanish II A/B
Summer School: Spanish III A/B
I got As in all 6 semesters. I’m pretty good at the Grammar and Vocab. I can understand when the teacher talks in Spanish. My only problem is that I can’t talk as well in Spanish. I can’t talk as fast.
My teachers recommended me for AP Spanish Language, and that is what I am thinking of taking. But I’ve seen the class, and teh way some people talk almost fluently in there makes me think that I’m not ready for that class.
Now I’m not planning to be a major or minor in any foreign language. I’m aiming for a UC school. Something along the lines of UCLA or USC. I’ve finished the 3 years. Should I continue on with AP Spanish as a 4th year? If I pass the test with a 4 or a 5, what does that do for me in College? I’ve heard that you only need one year of foreign language in college if you are going to be a Engineer Major or something. If I pass this AP test, am I done with Spanish? Or will I just be bumped up to a higher level of Spanish in College?
<p>It depends on whether or not you place out of the foreign language requirement at your college. The better you get at Spanish, the more likely you are to place out of the requirement completely.</p>
<p>Many colleges require a level of proficiency which can be satisfied by taking SATII or other exam. If you meet their requirement you do NOT have to take college level language courses.</p>
<p>Look at your possible colleges' requirements. If they say you can opt out of it with three years of high school language (like my school), then you don't have to take Spanish again.</p>
<p>However, occasionally, when you take a placement exam in the future (and not having taken the AP), you might be bumped down to elementary level- which you don't really want to do. Your goal is to place out or at least get placed in the intermediate level (200) so you're safe of any requirements.</p>
<p>It's okay not to be comfortable speaking in AP- it takes practice! Give yourself a chance and if you still fluster after a few weeks, just get some oral practice with your teachers in private. I'm sure it's scary but remember, most of the kids who will be in AP with you are the same students who started Spanish with you- they wouldn't care and they know what you can/can not do at this point.</p>
<p>A year-long AP class in high school is only a semester-long college course. It is likely that you only have to have one year of a FL in college, but that would be both Spanish 101 and Spanish 102. If you place out of Spanish 101, you would still have to take Spanish 102. If you feel weak, you might not want to place out of Span 101, but just take it to get ready for Span 102. The main reason to take AP Spanish in hs is probably for difficulty of curriculum on your application, and to get ready to take Span 101 in college.</p>