It’s the Little Things: Languages and College

Today starts a new series called “It’s the Little Things” which is all about the small, but very important decisions that might separate one college from another when you’re selecting.

An example of these little things? Today at my school it is sunny, 70 degrees, and I’m wearing a sundress to class. In January. At my second choice school its windy, freezing cold, and I’d probably be wearing a parka.

Yes, when choosing schools, it’s all about the little things.

Today’s topic? The Language Requirement (or lack there of)

Many, if not most, schools have a required “Core Curriculum” of various types of classes students must take to have a well-rounded education. Generally speaking liberal arts colleges have more (as their educational goals are broader) and big universities have fewer. 

These generally include a math/science, some literature, some history, philosophy, etc.

But one big consideration is whether or not you will have to take a foreign language.

Generally speaking, most schools require 4 semesters of a single foreign language, which is generally equivalent to advanced or near-fluent speaking ability. That is two years of foreign language, which could either be an exciting prospect or a daunting one.

Personally, I was very wary to apply to any schools that would require me to take a foreign language, as I have little talent for it and I find it more frustrating than academically challenging. (Granted, I do attend a school that made me take physics so… take that as you will to estimate my abilities in that field).

But I know many people who jump at the chance to take more languages and were looking for strong programs at the schools they attended.  A difficult language requirement can indicate the strength of the department.

This is entirely a personal preference for what you wish to study and your academic abilities. Foreign language is much more important to an international relations major than a literature major.

But, once again, the little things. Something to consider is the amount of language you are required to take says quite a lot about the school you’re applying to.

If they have a no exceptions policy you will generally find that the school has a much more global focus in their practices. The departments are probably strong, and there are probably a lot of different language options.

If there is no requirement at all, it is probably a school where you’ll be free to make a lot of decisions about your educational path. There may be no core curriculum at all, or the core curriculum might be very tailored to the department you’re in.

The most common scenario I have found is that at most schools there is:

A: An option to forgo foreign language all together if a student has taken 4 years of the same language in high school ***

Or

B: An option to test out of a language if you have strong skills in it already

And

C: An option to skip a semester of language for every year you took in high school.

***You should, if the option is available to you, take 4 years of a language. Really. It indicates a strength in curriculum.

A small piece of advice I have about testing into levels of classes is to start in the lowest level they will allow. College is a lot more difficult than high school and even with AP level classes, you may not truly be at the 300/400 level classes they are about to place you in.

Nearly everyone I know who took advantage of the high school year=semester of language policies at their schools found that they ended up in a class that was way over their heads.

So something to ask about when you’re looking at schools is will I have to take a foreign language?  

It might just change your mind.