America (South Florida), late 1990s-early aughts at a college prep school: We had a choice of French, Spanish or German, with Latin being added in after 2000. The requirement was 2 years of 2 languages or 3 years of 1 language. I elected to split the difference and took 2.5 years of French and 2 years of German. Having both in my arsenal still help me today in my job, but I’m a librarian, so it’s mostly reading knowledge issues for me.
When I was in (public) high school in the 80s, the choices were Spanish, French, German (which I took), and Latin. I think they still are, but I could be wrong.
I grew up in a Chicago suburb
Late 60s - German, French, Spanish, Latin
Today - Same plus Russian and Chinese
The small town in which I now live - Spanish and French, and they’re proud they have two.
Graduated in 1991. Languages weren’t required but they offered French, Spanish and German. Latin was available as an honors class. There were two years available of each, as I recall, which combined equaled one semester of college level. When I went to college, I was required to take French II instead of French I because of my two years in high school.
Canadian, currently in high school in Ontario. Our school teaches english (obviously), french, german, spanish, and a view native languages. Ojibwe and something else, I think.
Better than mine.
1980s, rural Nebraska. French only. Second-year French was taught in the same period as trigonometry, so one couldn’t take both.
They did switch to Spanish shortly after I graduated.
Damn, that school sucked.
Graduated HS 1980. Spanish and German offered,not required. Same toungues offered in 7 and 8 grade. Spanish compulsory in 6th grade.
Mid-1970s, Toronto:
At my high school, French was mandatory for the first two years (grades 9 and 10), though students could continue to study the language in subsequent years, if they wished.
German and Latin were offered also, but were not mandatory.
Mid 70s, western US: Spanish, French, German, and Latin.
Northern California in the mid-80’s: Spanish and French
The language of Love.
A whole lot of Barry White albums were played in class.
Christian Brothers School '94-'99: Irish, French, German
Public magnet school in the South, late 1980s, early 1990s:
French, German, Spanish, Russian and I think Latin
Massachusetts, 2007-2011: At least 3 years of French/Spanish required, Latin could be taken as an elective in addition to that.
Pennsylvania All-Girls Catholic HS 1985 - 87: French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. If your schedule could manage it, it was possible to take German or Russian at the all-boys school a couple of blocks away, but almost no one did. No foreign language requirement but all advanced academic track girls took one, and most general academic track girls did as well.
Co-Ed Protestant High 1987 - 89: French or, in 88-89 Spanish. Not at all required, perhaps 1/4th of the students bothered.
Mid-80’s: Middle school: Russian or German
Late 80’s: High school: (Russian or German) AND English
Scotland 1984-1990. French was compulsory for 2 years then you could choose to continue that or learn German, Latin or (Scots) Gaelic instead.
Mid to late 70’s: French, Spanish, Latin, Russian (got dropped from program). They might have had German too.
Mid to late 70’s: French, Spanish, Latin
The honors students usually took Latin. The high school at that time didn’t require students to take any Foreign Languages. I took Business Office machines and a typing class instead.
Private school, suburban Detroit, early '80s: Spanish, French, Latin, German, in order of popularity. There were always several Spanish and French teachers, but never more than two teaching Latin and one German. I took 4 years of Latin.