Which World Language Should I Take?
Read on to find out!
First of all...
We recommend that you take a World Language elective during 9th grade. Why?
Taking a language during your Freshman year has many benefits:
1. Do you want to become fluent in a language other than English?
If you love the language you take, you can continue for all 4 years of high school, which guarantees a level of fluency at the conclusion of your high school career.
2. Are you college-bound?
Many colleges/universities require at least 2 consecutive years of the same language for college entrance.
3. Do you enjoy rewarding challenges?
Level 4 languages are offered for AP (Advanced Placement). Students have the ability to take the AP exam at the conclusion of the course and earn college credits for free.
4. Do you want to earn up to 10 college credits before you even graduate high school?
French 3 and French 4 are offered for ACP (Advanced College Placement) through UMSL (the University of Missouri St. Louis), and students can earn ten (yes, 10!) college credits before they even graduate high school!
5. Do you want an advantage in the real world?
You will unlock a world of opportunities at your fingertips when you achieve a level of proficiency in another language. This helps you with scholarships, job applications, special accolades, and study-abroad opportunities.
We have fun!
We learn about other cultures!
We really know how to speak our languages!
So which language is for me?
The Wentzville School District offers three World Languages as electives: French, German, and Spanish.
French is for me if...
- I’m interested in beauty and/or fashion.
Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world. - I'm interested in food.
France sets the bar for culinary excellence. - I'm interested in travel.
French is spoken 53 countries (29 of which French is the official language) and 4 continents. - I enjoy art and literature.
Paris attracts artists and writers from all over the world, and France has more Nobel Prizes in literature than any other country. - I am interested in business or international affairs. French is the one of the official languages of UN, NATO, the Olympic Games, and the European Union.
- I am interested in dance.
French is used almost exclusively in the dance world, and if you've ever taken ballet, you already know a lot of French! - I am interested in technology.
French inventors have contributed significantly to the advancement of science. France is the leader in areas such as aero-space technology, high-speed transportation, automotive design, and medical research.
German is for me if...
- I want to connect with my heritage.
German is by far the most common ancestry in Missouri. - I want to get a leg up with German businesses.
There are more than 50 German owned firms in Missouri that need Americans that speak German! These include BMW, Bayer, Thyssenkrupp, Mercedes, BASF, ALDI, and many more! Missouri exports nearly a half a billion to Germany every year, and Germany exports nearly 1 and a half billion to Missouri every year. - I am interested in international affairs.
Trade with the EU is 5 times what it is with the whole spanish speaking world. Our businesses need German! - I am interested in travel.
A quarter of all Europeans speak German. Want to travel, work or live in Europe? German is the key! - I am interested in making money.
According to MIT, students who study a foreign language can make much more money. Spanish, on average, earned an additional $50,000 over a working career. German? Over $128,000! That’s a nice bonus!
Spanish is for me if...
- I want to stand out in a very competitive job market.
Spanish is the 2nd most spoken language in the US, and also the 2nd most spoken language in the WORLD. Knowing Spanish will help you stand out in a job interview, because of your ability to communicate with more people. - I have family and/or friends that speak Spanish (or are from a Hispanic culture).
Learning to speak Spanish, and learning about Hispanic cultures will help you to connect with those family members and friends. - I am interested in traveling (specifically to Central and South America).
Spanish is the second-most widely spoken language in the world (behind Mandarin Chinese). Spanish is the official language of 20 countries, with the majority of them in Central and South America. - I want the ability to use my language within my own community.
There are many Spanish-speaking people all around us every day!
Check out these videos for more information!
Will you join us on a language-learning adventure?
Your World Language Department Team
Madame Farrelly, Herr Stoll, Senor Hendricks,
Senora Greminger, Senora Tock, Madame Jennings, and Senora Rivas