<p>Does it mean up to Level 4 of that language, or does it mean 4 credits on your HS transcript (sometimes you can skip a year, or not want to put your middle school credits in/ not be able to), or does it mean taking that language every single year in high school?</p>
<p>yeah i am wondering the same thing, i took and completed spanish 1 in 8th grade, does that count as a year of spanish or do they only count if they were taken in hs?</p>
<p>My interpretation of that is at least 4 years total. If you didn't have in middle school then you need 4 years in high school reaching the 4th year at the senior year(the latest). I guess it's the same as math as long as you reach Calculus by Senior(the latest).</p>
<p>What if it's not possible to take 4 years?</p>
<p>I started in Spanish 1 and after a semester by teacher moved me to Spanish 3 because I'm a native speaker. So now I can only take AP Spanish next year, and that will make 2 years, just enough to graduate.</p>
<p>If you take the language up to the highest level your HS offers (which is level 4 at most HSs), you have nothing to worry about. If another year of language is available, it is probably better to take it, though it is unlikely that it will make or break an otherwise strong application.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to call the school in question. I took Spanish I in 8th grade and finished Spanish IV junior year. A private school I applied to wanted 4 high school years; the public I now attend just wanted 4 levels. They should be able to tell you very easily. Your best bet would be to ask for an undergraduate academic advisor in your prospective department.</p>
<p>Parent's forum. Fair game.</p>
<p>Basically 5, Can you: Eat and Drink at a restaurant. Find a room and toilet. Get a date. Get out of town. And either swear or recognize that you are being sweared at.</p>
<p>Re #4: If you are a native speaker of Spanish, I don't see why you would be taking Spanish classes in high school. The point is to learn a language that is new to you. (I could see taking Spanish if you can speak it to some degree but didn't know how to read and write it well, or if English is a struggle for you and essentially is your "foreign language" experience.)</p>
<p>You could start another language--French, for example--or arrange to take the AP Spanish Literature course as an independent study (I'm assuming that your school's standard AP Spanish class is aimed at the language test, not the literature test.), or you could take a couple of more advanced Spanish literature classes at a local college, if available.</p>
<p>Consolation has it basically right. Start another language if you have maxed out on the one offered to you very early. I teach foreign language in a HS. Our department's policy is "three years and three consecutive levels." And, we highly encourage our students to finish the fourth year, at whatever level is appropriate. Almost all of them do language for all four years. Doesn't really matter the level that you reach (IV or V, IB or AP). It's not your fault that you started or didn't start in middle school; what matters is your "stick-to-it-ive-ness." And the particular program that i right for you.</p>
<p>At some schools, Spanish is the only language offered. Armando could be facing that situation.</p>
<p>Consolation,
Many native speakers, especially those whose own parents may be illiterate in their native language, do not have the academic vocabulary and grammar skills that formal study imparts.</p>
<p>How many years of a language do you need in your school district to be able to get a 4 or 5 on the AP foreign language exams? (I know this probably varies quite a bit, but I'm looking for some general information).</p>
<p>
[quote]
What does "four years of a language" mean?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My question would be - does it say/ask as a requirement - or recommended - there is a difference in how that can be handled.</p>
<p>Two of my kids had 3 years of HS language, ending at level 4 (one did not take FL senior year, the other one graduated a year early), and it had absolutely no effect on admissions to the very top schools.</p>
<p>I think sometimes the state schools are more stringent with their requirements, but I don't think that any of them require 4 years of FL.</p>
<p>My daughter has the same issue - she completed Spanish I in 8th grade and has taken Spanish II-IV in HS. Given scheduling issues, she may not be able to fit AP Spanish V in next year. She has emailed several schools directly to ask the 4 levels vs. 4 years question and has received a variety of answers. My advice to the OP: pose the question directly to the schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>Call the colleges you are interested in and ask THEM. Both of my kids took Honors Spanish 4 as 10th graders and never took a foreign language again. Both were accepted at colleges that REQUIRED three years of foreign language and RECOMMENDED four. One school was ranked 60 or so...large private university. One school ranked number 1 in its region as a masters university. But the policy most likely varies by school.</p>
<p>Some schools/colleges even have a language skills test - for placement into college classes - both of my kids did this and were placed in higher classes as freshman - one at an elite LAC - the other at a big state U - some will take the test score in lieu of a 3rd - or even 4th year of that language. It is rare for schools to 'require' 4 years of a language - tho some do/may.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Re #4: If you are a native speaker of Spanish, I don't see why you would be taking Spanish classes in high school. The point is to learn a language that is new to you. (I could see taking Spanish if you can speak it to some degree but didn't know how to read and write it well, or if English is a struggle for you and essentially is your "foreign language" experience.)</p>
<p>You could start another language--French, for example--or arrange to take the AP Spanish Literature course as an independent study (I'm assuming that your school's standard AP Spanish class is aimed at the language test, not the literature test.), or you could take a couple of more advanced Spanish literature classes at a local college, if available.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
Consolation,
Many native speakers, especially those whose own parents may be illiterate in their native language, do not have the academic vocabulary and grammar skills that formal study imparts.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Wow, this is the first time I won't have to explain myself for choosing to take Spanish. </p>
<p>Many Americans seem to believe literacy and true fluency is a gene. </p>
<p>I could already read and write decently, but nowhere near to the level of English. I've been educated all my life in English, but never in Spanish or my other native language, Portuguese. </p>
<p>And most of us US born Latinos haven't. </p>
<p>So instead of us continuing our family and seeing our future generations speaking poor Spanish or - even worse - losing the language, I'd rather start getting the education that will be far more useful to me than Calculus, the sciences, and French (if I had elected to take it) ever will be to me.</p>
<p>Besides, why should people be punished for already being bilingual (or trilingual in my case)? It's the monolingual Americans that are lagging behind in language fluency.</p>
<p>Well said Armando :D</p>
<p>And will add that there are many English speaking Americans who have a very poor grasp of the language/skills - and it is their primary language ;)</p>
<p>AP Language (any of 'em) is considered a fifth year in the typical HS curriculum. So, if you take AP Lang as a Frosh (or any other year) you will fulfill the 4-year requirement. It's no different than AP Calc, which is typically considered a 5th year of math.</p>
<p>Touche, Armando.</p>