Homeschoolers - Two Years of Foreign Language Required

Many parents and students are caught up and confused by the many requirements and technicalities involved in the college application and admission process. From the FAFSA to letters of recommendation, and everything in between, it seems there is no end to the obstacles that can make the college application process such a hassle.

One of the aspects of applying to college that often creates problems for applicants and their families is the aspect of required coursework. Most colleges, especially those that are particularly competitive, have specific requirements about the classes that they want their applicants to take. For the most part, parents are familiar with the required number of math and science classes, but they sometimes forget that colleges also have foreign language requirements. Generally, most colleges and universities require that applicants take and complete two years of a foreign language.

Although complying with this request is not a tremendous burden to carry, most parents often stress out over how they will help their student meet the requirement. In most cases, a parent’s biggest concern is a lack of knowledge or background in the specific language that their child has chosen to study. Although there is always the option of trying to convince a student to study a language that a parent is better prepared to teach, this can be very limiting and particularly unfair to the student.

What options do parents in this situation have? Most of the time, homeschooling parents make the decision to enroll their child in a distance learning program that contains a foreign language component. More than any other subject, foreign language requires constant practice, immediate feedback, and increased individual attention, especially from a teacher who is familiar with the subject matter. In the case of a distance learning school, their teachers and their program in general are able to provide students with an effective approach to learning a foreign language which will allow them to comply with the requirements for admission into a college or university.

For one part, a distance learning program, especially one in a foreign language, is taught by a credentialed teacher skilled and experienced in the area of foreign language. By having someone with experience, students can be sure that the instruction they will receive is aligned to specific standards. In addition to proper instruction, using an accredited instructor also guarantees that credit received for attending and completing the lesson will be in accordance with the requirements of any college or university.

A great deal of preparation can go into applying to college. From the actual application paperwork, to determining a major, the process can be daunting. One thing that does not have to cause problems is meeting the foreign language requirement. Whether it means completing two years or more, a distance learning program can definitely help. With the right distance learning school, about the only thing a student has to worry about in terms of a foreign language is making sure homework assignments are being completed on time.