SECOND LANGUAGES FAQ |
|
Is there a Foreign Language requirement for high school
graduation?
Yes. If the student is on the College Prep Pathway,
two consecutive levels of the same language are required for graduation.
In addition, many colleges and universities are now looking for a
third consecutive course of the same language.
|
|
Do colleges/universities accept Latin for their foreign
language requirement?
Yes, most definitely. Latin has been making a huge
comeback in the past 10-15 years and is now taught throughout the
world.
|
|
At what time during high school should a student begin
studying a foreign language?
This is a difficult question because the answer depends
very much on the student. However, there are some guidelines:
Most students can begin during their sophomore or junior
year. They should NOT wait until the senior year.
If possible, students should begin studying a foreign language in middle school.
If you earned A's or B's in middle school English and are enrolled in 9th grade
Honors English, you should begin studying a foreign language in the 9th grade.
|
|
Where should a student be placed if he/she has studied
a foreign language in middle school?
The person best qualified to answer this question is
the middle school teacher. Wakefield offers a placement test at the
end of the school year to help determine an appropriate placement.
If you have concerns, you can also speak to either the department
chair of the high school or one of the teachers of the language.
They will be able to assess the student's level of comprehension
and assist you in making an educated decision on where the student
should be placed.
|
|
What is needed to be successful in a foreign language?
Students must complete homework to reinforce skills
learned in the classroom. A student may expect 20-30 minutes a night
of homework. This includes the time devoted to memorization, which
is crucial because a new language entails learning new vocabulary,
as well as active studying. Many students "look over" their
notes - a strategy that is not the most sufficient - students should
utilize various active strategies to practice language skills outside
of the classroom.
|
|
Do you think my son/daughter should take Spanish (French,
German, Latin) since I took it in high school (college) and I could
help him/her?
The choice should be left to the student. Requiring
a student to study a language in which they have little interest
can often lead to poor performance. There are many resources available
online that can help students. Participation in class, taking notes,
and keeping a dialogue open with the teacher is an effective way
to keep up with class.
|
|
If I want to take more than one foreign language in
high school, when should I begin studying the second language?
Many students begin the first level of another foreign
language when they are enrolled in the third year of the first foreign
language.
|
|
Will I be able to speak fluently after 2 years of study?
No. You will have a usable "survival vocabulary".
It takes a minimum of 3-4 years in a foreign language before a student
begins to really speak with some fluency. You must have internalized
enough vocabulary and have enough familiarity with the construction
and concepts of a language before you can begin to speak with ease.
|
|
Can I test out of a language on the placement exams
at a college after 2 years of study?
Testing out usually requires 3-4 years of intensive
high school preparation, but the answer to this question depends
on the individual student and the college/university program.
|
|
Does studying a foreign language help students score
higher on the verbal portion of the SAT?
Published SAT verbal scores from 1991- 2000 show that
students taking any foreign language scored higher overall than those
not taking one.
|
