A survey investigated why high school students in one small city school chose Spanish as their foreign language of choice over French or Latin. Respondents were 103 students currently enrolled in Spanish at four levels. The survey was a multiple-choice questionnaire that also included space for an open-ended response. Results indicate that: 89 percent of the students were studying a foreign language because it was required for college; 45 percent had a personal desire to learn a language; career plans were an important reason for language study for 27 percent of the students; Spanish was chosen primarily because it was spoken in the United States more than other foreign languages, it was perceived as easier to learn than other languages, or was seen as more useful than other languages for careers. The information gathered is seen as useful in understanding students' perceptions of and motivations in studying a foreign language, and for selecting appropriate teaching methods. (MSE)