What language did you take in high school/college? (middle school, grade, requirement)

[Matthew Duck]

In high school, I took two years of Spanish. It was all the small town offered.

For my major in college, I have to take four semesters of a foreign language. This semester, I started my first French course. I have to say, it has been easier to learn than Spanish. Or maybe the professors are better in college than in high school. But still...

[Arianator]

I took four years of Spanish in my school days.

First year was a high school credit course offered in middle school. The next three I took were in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade (I got bumped from the it in 9th grade, it filled up too fast.) My last year of Spanish was a waste; even though I passed I didn't feel like I learned anything. In that class we were expected to read, interpret, and analyze whole stories in Spanish. The teacher, who was actually one of my least favorites, said the course was harder than even the AP Spanish course she taught.

[Linda_d]

I took 3 years of French in HS. I took 4 semesters of French and 2 semesters of Spanish in college.

[kevxu]

A one year Spanish course in Jr. high just to do it, and then a year (or maybe it was two) of French to satisfy a language requirement. Only a smattering of each lasted, but that was helpful enough later on.

I took two other languages by choice in adult life.

[AnotherTouchOfWhimsy]

Two years of Latin, then two years of Italian. The Latin was infinitely more useful and I wish I'd continued with it!

[Tia 914]

I took one year of French in my first high school, but when I transferred to a different school I took Latin.
Latin was more useful, but the first school didn't offer it.

[Unsettomati]

I attended high school in the 1980s in southern Minnesota and I took French.

My high school offered French, German and Spanish. French was about as popular as German and Spanish combined. My three children now attend the same high school and my understanding is that Spanish is the most popular language. When I attended, there was not a single Hispanic student that I can recall in my graduating class of 200+ students. The wave of Hispanic migration to southern Minnesota (excluding the Twin Cities) began around 1990. Now, the enrollment appears to be about 10% Hispanic. So clearly, that demographic trend corresponds to shifting class preferences.

I don't recall than any of the three languages offered in the 1980s were considered more or less practical than the others, but French did have a certain cachet. Now it seems that the popular choice of Spanish is considered useful, as use of that language has risen. Also, the curriculum at my high school now includes Chinese (Mandarin, I presume), which I am guessing stems from reasons of practicality as China has since I was in school developed into a global economic power.

[UKWildcat1981]

I took Spanish and German... terrible at speaking both. I can speak Arabic and Hebrew thou for the most part.

[joe from dayton]

I took German. I also failed a Spanish class.

[jtab4994]

High school: 3 years of Spanish
1 year of Italian (easy A after 3 years of Spanish!)
College: 1 semester of French