Do colleges look at how many languages you speak?

Colleges look for depth of foreign language study, not breadth, so they want to see that you’ve studied one language for several years.

Does knowing three languages help you get into college?

According to data collected by the College Board, there is a positive correlation between the study of foreign languages and SAT scores. Not only do students who study a foreign language score higher than their counterparts who have not learned a second language, their SAT scores improved with each year of study.

Do colleges prefer 3 years of foreign language?

Yes. However, most colleges require a minimum of two years of a foreign language to be considered for admission. Many colleges recommend at least three years of the same world language in high school for a student to be competitive in the admissions pool. Four years makes a student more attractive.

Do colleges care about language classes?

In general, competitive colleges require at least two years of foreign language classes in high school. If you score a 4 or 5 on an AP language exam, most colleges will consider that evidence of adequate high school foreign language preparation (and you’re likely to get course credit in college).

Should colleges no longer require applicants to have studied a foreign language?

To summarize, foreign language classes should not be a requirement. Students rarely achieve proficiency even after several years of study, and the benefits of learning a foreign language in the US are limited. If taking a foreign language was not required, students would be able to pursue classes they want.

Do colleges care what language you study in college?

In general, colleges want to see foreign language proficiency, and they don’t really care which language you study. Most students, in fact, have few choices. Many schools offer just a couple of languages such as French and Spanish. That said, it can be a plus if your study of a foreign language aligns with your career goals.

How many American students take a foreign language before college?

Only 1 in 5 American students take a foreign language before college. Of all the skills that a person could have in today’s globalized world, few serve individuals – and the larger society – as well as knowing how to speak another language.

How many foreign language programs have colleges lost since 2013?

Researchers at the Modern Language Association recently found that colleges lost 651 foreign language programs from 2013 to 2016 – dramatically more than the one foreign language programs that higher education lost between 2009 and 2013.

What percentage of Americans speak more than one language?

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, more than 80 percent of Americans speak English only, including President Barack Obama. Of the less than 20 percent who do speak a second language, Spanish is the most popular, followed by Chinese, French, German, Tagalog (a language from the Philippines), Vietnamese, Italian and a handful of others.