High School

What happens if you take 2 years of a foreign language, skip a year, and then take a foreign language in your senior year of high school?

Answer :

Final answer:

Resuming foreign language study in senior year after a gap can be challenging but is beneficial for higher education opportunities and maintaining language skills. The continuity of study is critical but with effort, progress is achievable.

Explanation:

Taking two years of a foreign language, skipping a year, and then resuming study in the senior year can have mixed effects on a student's language proficiency. The critical period hypothesis suggests that learning a language after puberty can be challenging, and proficiency, especially in pronunciation, can be hard to achieve. Continuity is important in learning a language to reach competence beyond that of a two-year-old child. However, returning to language study after a break may require extra effort to regain and build upon previously acquired skills. Moreover, some colleges and universities might have specific requirements about continuous years of foreign language study, affecting admission or placement in advanced courses.

By re-engaging with the language in their senior year, students keep open opportunities for higher education that may require foreign language credits. It is important for students intending to apply to such institutions to understand their policies. Furthermore, reinstating language study can be beneficial in maintaining and enhancing grammatical knowledge, vocabulary, and cultural understanding. It is possible to make progress with diligent study and practice, even if there has been a gap in language education.