Hey guys, I've been wondering whether most colleges have a foreign language requirement. I've always struggled a bit with languages and I'm curious as to whether this is a standard requirement at a lot of places.
Yes, many colleges do put an emphasis on foreign languages as part of their curriculum, but the requirement can vary markedly from one institution to another. Some colleges require you to attain a certain level of proficiency, often achieved through two to four semesters of study in a foreign language.
However, there are also many institutions where this is not a hard and fast requirement, especially at universities with a focus on technical or scientific fields. You can often fulfill their humanities distribution requirements with courses other than foreign language, such as history or philosophy. It's also not uncommon for these types of institutions to count computer programming coursework as a language.
Additionally, some institutions will allow you to test out of their language requirement if you have prior knowledge, either through taking an AP language test in high school, or by passing a proficiency exam once you're at college. So if you're worried about focusing on a foreign language in college, you might want to consider learning as much as you can now, or focusing on a language you've already studied.
In general, though, it's important to check the specific general education requirements at the colleges you're interested in, as each can have different requirements and ways to fulfill them. It's also worth considering that studying a language can provide valuable skills and experiences, even if it's challenging!
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