Do I really have to study a second language?

nurz2be · Nov 16, 2007

There are requirements on some nursing colleges that I must have 2 credits / 2 years of a foreign language. Well I already know Spanish, considering I am of Hispanic heritage, do I still have to take a language class in my high school. I already know Spanish and I don't think I would want to learn French or German.
Also a quick question on nursing school, is it possible to take an extra class of my choice? Like another foreign language (Portuguese) or WSG (Women, Sexuality, Gender Studies).
Well thanks a lot guys!

This might seem a little simple but why not take Spanish class. It is an easy A for you.

CHATSDALE · Nov 16, 2007

anything you learn is to your benefit...take french, you never know who you'll meet down the road

Crocuta, RN · Nov 16, 2007

...do I still have to take a language class in my high school. I already know Spanish and I don't think I would want to learn French or German.
Also a quick question on nursing school, is it possible to take an extra class of my choice? Like another foreign language (Portuguese) or WSG (Women, Sexuality, Gender Studies).

The correct answer to both of these questions will only come from the nursing school itself. It's never too early to contact two or three schools that you will be considering and talking to the admissions folks. Each school will have different policies.

Oh, and don't talk about important issues like this with the work study student manning the desk. They really don't have a clue. Don't ask me how I know this. Speak to one of the counselors and get something in writing.

Agnus · Nov 16, 2007

There are requirements on some nursing colleges that I must have 2 credits / 2 years of a foreign language. Well I already know Spanish, considering I am of Hispanic heritage, do I still have to take a language class in my high school. I already know Spanish and I don't think I would want to learn French or German.
Also a quick question on nursing school, is it possible to take an extra class of my choice? Like another foreign language (Portuguese) or WSG (Women, Sexuality, Gender Studies).
Well thanks a lot guys!

You will find most 4 year degrees in anything, Not just nursing, will look for 2 years of language study in high school. So if you plan to go to college at all I would take a language.

It is not always required and is seldom required in a 2 year college. However, once you enroll it is often a required college course. Play it safe take a language. In college you are free to take extra courses of your choice. The problem becomes fitting it into your schedule. Nursing schedules are usually pretty full. However, if you do not mind spending an extra semester or two it might be well worth it.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Nov 16, 2007

I'd call the schools directly and see what they say.

Mexarican · Nov 16, 2007

You don't have to take a second language if you already know one. But you do need to formalize it into credits. The way to do this is to CLEP your Spanish at the community college/university. You can get your two years of spanish out of the way in one afternoon this way. plus it's cheaper than actually taking the classes and paying per credit hour. Many universities even if they do not accept many CLEP credits will accept CLEP credits for foreign languages because it is usually the case the person does know that foreign language really well in order to CLEP it. Plus Spanish is the main second language to learn in the US overall...there are few places in the US where you would actually be better off knowing another foreign language before knowing Spanish, unless you plan on working in one of those areas then don't worry. If you don't have money to be spending on classes that are considered "extra" especially if you already know the language then just CLEP your Spanish and turn into credit hours...they will transfer 99% of the time because it is a foreign language. I did this and all my CLEP credits in Spanish transfered to the private university where i currently go to nursing school. I CLEPed it and satisfied my foreign language requirement for my BSN in about two hours, that's the time it took me to take all the tests.

Mex

celery · Nov 16, 2007

I used to be the manager of the Foreign Languages Department at a major university. I can tell you for sure that to meet many college and university requirements for foreign language, you may test out. In some cases you may have to test as well as interview with a professor. I administered the test myself. It was about 40 questions long, took about 30 minutes to complete, and was completely free.

leslie :-D · Nov 16, 2007

oui.

non.

ooh-la-la.

voulez-vous couchez avec moi, c'est soir?

(did i pass???)

leslie:)

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2007

I have several friends who are bilingual..some even speak 3-4 languages and they STILL had to take a formal foreign language course in high school and college.

American children are brought up speaking, reading and writing English, but it doesn't mean they can pass the course in school.

A friend of mine is from Spain, fluent written and spoken, but she did poorly in her college Spanish class. Also, my daughter is in high school and it is manditory that students take and pass 1 year of a foreign language, several of her friends are of Hispanic decent (some were born in a Spanish speaking country, others learned Spanish from their families), who speak Spanish, some of them didn't do very well in class, they can speak Spanish but they aren't educated in writing and reading it. Others did relatively well, since they were taught by their families to read, write and speak it.

In our high school, those kids weren't able to test out of taking the course. In college some of my friends did CLEP it and passed so they didn't have to take a foreign language, others didn't pass and had to take the class.

Best thing to do is ask your high school directly if you have to take it or not. and if you're looking into colleges now, that should be a question you ask of them. chances are you can CLEP out.

Good luck.

Valanda · Nov 17, 2007

You don't have to take a second language if you already know one. But you do need to formalize it into credits. The way to do this is to CLEP your Spanish at the community college/university. You can get your two years of spanish out of the way in one afternoon this way. plus it's cheaper than actually taking the classes and paying per credit hour. Many universities even if they do not accept many CLEP credits will accept CLEP credits for foreign languages because it is usually the case the person does know that foreign language really well in order to CLEP it. Plus Spanish is the main second language to learn in the US overall...there are few places in the US where you would actually be better off knowing another foreign language before knowing Spanish, unless you plan on working in one of those areas then don't worry. If you don't have money to be spending on classes that are considered "extra" especially if you already know the language then just CLEP your Spanish and turn into credit hours...they will transfer 99% of the time because it is a foreign language. I did this and all my CLEP credits in Spanish transfered to the private university where i currently go to nursing school. I CLEPed it and satisfied my foreign language requirement for my BSN in about two hours, that's the time it took me to take all the tests.
Mex

Yeah, that!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2007

The high schools around here require that Spanish speaking students take a Spanish class for Spanish speakers. It is a very difficult class to get an A in because you have to be perfect in punctuation and everything. Then ALL students, no matter how many languages they speak, are required to take one year of a foreign language to graduate. French is closest to Spanish so most take that. But also American sign language is accepted :) But required for entrance into SDSU a student needs 3 semesters of the same foreign language. Cal State San Marcos is now requiring that all nursing school candidates take Spanish.

Check with your school and see what the requirement is because it is different everywhere.