Hi, is it ok to skip my foreign language for a year? I would still complete up to class IV of my foreign language, instead of V. Does anyone have experience with skipping a year, and would I forget most things having a year off? Also, is it fine to colleges as long as I complete through IV? Last question: Does completing 5 years of foreign language save you more credits of language that you would have to take in college, than taking 4 years?
Sorry for so many questions, thanks!
This is a very very broad answer and will vary by college, but many colleges like to see students commit to taking four years of a language. That being said, some colleges probably don’t even care if you take a foreign language. As far as credits go, you need to do some research on the AP tests, and whether or not your college accepts them. Also, depending on your major, you might not even need to take a foreign language in college.
You should look at the schools you want to apply to. Some universities strongly recommend their students to take four years of one foreign language, while others don’t mind. However, if you believe that your classes would better reflect your application if you skipped, it shouldn’t be detrimental to your application (although you should talk about it with your counselor first).
As for credit, have you considered taking the AP course/test for your language?
If you have scheduling conflicts, then taking a year off seems fine.There are ways to keep from losing what you know. Not everything has to happen in a formal class. Returning to it senior years shows some character and you will be better at the language if you return to it so I think it is a good plan if you can do that even tho schools don’t necessarily expect more than 4 years.
My D2 did it for scheduling reasons. She explained it in her additional info section, and still got in everyplace she applied.
My son skipped a year between Spanish 1 and 2, and it was a huge mistake. But he is in a unique situation (long story) and you are further along in your language studies, it sounds like.
During the year not taking a course, will you have opportunities to practice the language to maintain your skill?
@ccu2019 Regarding the 5th year course, it depends on whether that is a college accredited course and whether your college requires foreign language credit for graduation. My D’s engineering school does not require foreign language for graduation at all.
Yes. Although you may have a bit of a learning curve if you go into IV after a year off unless you have opportunities to practice outside of the classroom.
Doubtful, but it will depend on the college. You won’t get any credit just by virtue of taking 4 years or 5; you’d need to take a placement test and/or submit AP or SAT Subject Test scores. However, taking 5 years in HS increases the probability of being placed into a higher class in college or being exempted from the foreign language requirement all together.
The vast majority of colleges that require 4 years of language mean learning up to level 4. You should be fine.