When students ask, “Do I really have to take Spanish all four years of high school?” our response is, “It depends.” Here are some questions to consider when deciding how much foreign language to study in high school. 

What are your high school’s language requirements? 

High schools across the country have varying graduation requirements by subject. Many public schools in Texas only require two years of language study. On the other hand, some private high schools expect a minimum of three years. Check with your high school counselor to ensure you’re on track to graduate before adjusting your course selection plans. 

What colleges are you planning to apply to? 

Before ditching a foreign language from your schedule, be sure to confirm the colleges you intend to apply to don’t expect applicants to have four years of language. For example, highly selective colleges like Princeton University require four years of high school language study, while others like Yale University, Amherst College, and Wellesley College recommend four years of language study. 
 

What major(s) are you hoping to pursue?

Students interested in studying the humanities in college will benefit from having an intensive language study on their transcript.  In fact, many Bachelor of Arts  (B.A.) degrees require at least two years of college-level language study, so having high school experience (or AP language credit!) can work toward fulfilling these requirements. 

What if my student can’t fit a foreign language into their schedule? 

If your student is committed to language learning but can’t carve out the space in their high school schedule, they might consider a few alternatives: 

• Enrolling in classes in person or online at your local community college 
• Online Language Platforms like Language Bird

Do you enjoy learning a foreign language? 

Last but not least, your student should consider if they enjoy learning a foreign language. Studies show that engaging in language learning exercises the brain and can ultimately become an impressive asset in their future educations and careers.