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How to make your Foreign Language work for you

Admission Considerations Academic preparation, and specifically the rigor of your high school course work, is the primary consideration for admission. Students who are most competitive for admission generally meet typical standards, including 5 academic courses each year and AP courses when appropriate and possible.

Academic Course Preparation Madison Class Minimum for Application Typical for Admission English 4 years 4+ years Math 3 4+ Social Studies Science 4 Single Foreign Language 2 Additional academic/Fine Arts 2+ Total Units 17 22+ In 2016: Only 12% of freshman at UW Madison had the minimum of 2 years of Foreign Language. 67% of freshman had at least 4 years of Foreign Language. http://www.admissions.wisc.edu/freshman/requirements.php

UW Schools Entrance/Graduation Requirements A student may need a Foreign language both to get in to a University and to graduate from a University. A high school Foreign Language may meet the University graduation requirement. UW Eau Claire and UW Madison have a Foreign Language admission requirement Most universities/colleges have a graduation requirement for BA degrees, and many for BS degrees. Colleges recommend that students take their high school Foreign Language as close as possible to their college entrance. This is beneficial to placement and the possibility of retroactive credits.

UW Schools Entrance/Graduation Requirements For students who do not take the language during their SENIOR year, not to advance is to fall well behind. Placement test results show that students who take 3 years of a language and then skip their senior year tend to test as if they had only taken 2 years of the language in the first place. This can cost 8-12 college credits! The message: once you’ve reached level 3, there is no staying in place—you either advance (and receive college credit), or you decline (and lose college credit).

Foreign Language is a plus in the following areas: College of Letters and Sciences Business Engineering Medicine Public Health Nursing Law/Legal Field Education Agriculture Dentistry Insurance WPS Many companies have found the need for their employees to learn a second language to better serve their overseas clients and are even offering monetary incentives for them to became proficient in the use of foreign language. Even the US Navy is offering such a program. http://hubpages.com/hub/Foreign-Language-Courses

What is a retroactive credit? A retroactive credit is a free college credit earned from courses that precede the level into which a student places. West graduates typically earn from 8 to 16 retro credits.

Let us explain it further College level language starts at the beginning Students with 4 to 5 years of language learning are typically well beyond the beginning So…colleges may give you credit for what you already know

For example: You test into 202 Your university offers the following courses 101 = 4 credits 102 = 4 credits 201 = 4 credits 202 = 4 credits 301 = 2 credits 302 = 2 credits You take 202, get a B or better, and they give you the 12 credits for 101-201 for free! Considered Beginnning Considered Intermediate Considered Advanced

Why are these credits important? How can they be of value? May fulfill graduation requirements ie… language requirements (most BA’s require language) global perspective requirements ethnic studies requirements humanity requirements world culture requirements Save time Economic gains Sophomore standing Early registration

Languages are not just for the college bound! Improves vocabulary Expands cross curricular knowledge Enhances writing and comprehension skills Creates global awareness Increases test scores Usable life skills

Employment Benefits Knowledge of another language is essential in over 60 occupations Even in Central Wisconsin there is a need and a market for employees who speak a second language Often this skill increases wages or offers monetary incentives Language ability gives one an advantage for job acquisition Local businesses that hire employees with language skills are: EastBay Aqua Finance Greenheck Paper Mills Siemens Aspirus and St. Clare’s Hospitals Social Services Area Law Enforcement and Judicial System

Personal Benefits Study of another language maintains and enhances critical listening skills Upgrades cognitive skills and fosters adaptability in new situations Heightens sensitivity towards ones own culture as well as toward other cultures Students who are learning another language score significantly higher on standardized tests The integrated curriculum of Foreign Language education reinforces content from Social Studies, Fine Arts, Math, Science, Language Arts, and Health It also enhances English skills All beginning students have the same opportunity to succeed in a Foreign Language Everyone is new to the subject