Graduating from high school or college often requires demonstrating proficiency in certain subjects, like math, science, and language arts. When it comes to learning languages, requirements vary between schools and programs. Quickly answering some key questions can provide insight into typical language requirements for graduation.
How many years of language study are required in high school?
Most U.S. high schools have a 2-year minimum foreign language requirement for graduation. This involves studying one language for two consecutive years, such as Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. Some high schools only require 1 year of foreign language study. Less commonly, certain high schools may require 3-4 years of language study to graduate.
What are the most commonly studied languages in high school?
The most popular languages studied in U.S. high schools are Spanish, French, German, Latin, and American Sign Language. Spanish is by far the most common, with over 70% of high school foreign language students studying it. Here is a table showing the percentage of U.S. high school students enrolled in the most popular language courses:
| Language | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 77% |
| French | 8% |
| German | 5% |
| Latin | 4% |
| American Sign Language | 3% |
Spanish is popular due to its widespread use in the U.S. French and German have long been common options for high school language programs. Latin provides a foundation in an ancient language that influences English vocabulary. ASL meets requirements through a visual, non-verbal mode of communication.
What are typical language requirements for college admission?
Most four-year colleges and universities have a 2-year minimum foreign language requirement for admission. This means completing two years or levels of the same language in high school, like Spanish 1 and 2. More competitive colleges often recommend 3-4 years of language study. However, requirements vary – some schools only require 1 year, while others have no language requirement for admission.
Do all bachelor’s degrees require foreign language credits?
No, not all bachelor’s degrees have language requirements. However, studying a foreign language is a common general education or distribution requirement included in many liberal arts and science degree programs. Typical requirements are 1-2 years of a foreign language at the college level, or demonstrating proficiency through placement testing.
Which college majors typically have a language requirement?
Here are some bachelor’s degrees that often require 1-2 years of college-level foreign language study:
- English
- History
- International Studies
- Political Science
- Business
- Communications
- Any language major, e.g. Spanish, French
Scientific and technical degrees like engineering, computer science, and biology less commonly require language study. Review degree and program requirements at specific colleges to see their language policies.
What are the most commonly studied languages in college?
The most commonly studied foreign languages in U.S. colleges and universities are Spanish, French, American Sign Language, German, Latin, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Arabic. Here is a table showing the percentage of U.S. college students enrolled in the top languages:
| Language | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 51% |
| French | 6% |
| American Sign Language | 6% |
| German | 5% |
| Latin | 4% |
| Chinese | 4% |
| Italian | 4% |
| Japanese | 2% |
| Arabic | 2% |
The popularity of Spanish and other European languages echoes their prevalence in high school. Ancient languages like Latin and Greek also remain common choices. Asian languages like Chinese and Japanese have seen growth, reflecting global economic trends.
Do all associate’s degrees have language requirements?
No, language requirements are less common for associate’s degrees compared to bachelor’s programs. Associate’s degrees are typically 2-year degrees that focus on core or introductory courses. Some schools have language requirements for associate’s degrees in areas like arts or global studies. But many technical or career-oriented associates degrees, like IT or nursing, do not require foreign language credits.
Can language requirements be fulfilled through testing?
Yes, many colleges and universities allow language requirements to be met through placement testing or AP exam scores, instead of requiring course credits. Common standardized tests used include:
- AP Spanish, French, etc. exams (score 3+ meets requirement)
- CLEP exams in Spanish, French, German
- Placement/proficiency tests like STAMP or OPI
Policies vary – some schools only exempt the 100-level course, not the full 1-2 year requirement. Check with individual institutions on their testing and placement score policies to see if it fulfills the language requirement.
Can I substitute computer coding for a language?
In rare cases, some colleges allow computer coding languages like Java or Python to substitute for a foreign language requirement. But this is not widely accepted. Over 20 US states have proposed coding as language substitution bills, but most have not passed legislation. Only a handful of colleges allow coding in place of their language requirements. Most consider computer coding important, but not equivalent to human languages that provide cultural knowledge.
Conclusion
While language requirements vary, one or two years of foreign language study is typical for high school graduation and college admission or bachelor’s degrees. Certain associate’s degrees and technical majors often don’t require language credits. Spanish, French, and ASL are the most commonly studied languages, but many others are gaining popularity as student interests expand globally. Fulfilling requirements through placement testing is an option at many schools. But substituting computer coding remains uncommon. In today’s multilingual world, studying languages beyond English continues to be important for most academic paths.
