Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the consensus (or lack thereof) is regarding the acquisition of foreign lanaguages before college. I don't mean just for the sake of college applications but for the purpose of a well-rounded education, particularly in today's global economy/village.
Even in my day (back in the 80's), you needed a minimum of two years in a second language but most applications to top colleges probably had three to four years of at least one language. I was actually borderline with just two years in one language on my high school transcript, but I was also bilingual in another language as well as studied yet another language in middle school.
With my oldest, I started his first foreign language as a preschooler and continued through his elementary years. He did not start another foreign language until high school. With my younger two, I started their first foreign language as kindergarteners and stopped by 2nd grade due to their concerted rebellious efforts. This summer (as rising 5th graders), they are each tackling a different foreign lanaguge on their own. Of course, I am available to provide assistance as needed although I have not been called upon much.
What do you all think? What have you or your children done?
