How to Learn A New Language in Online School

August 15, 2024 byJulie Hersum

5 min to read

middle school girl giving thumbs up to computer

Learning a new language can be a transformative experience for students, with benefits extending far beyond simply fulfilling a language requirement for school. Online schools like Connections Academy are at the forefront of instructing students on how to learn a new language and preparing students for success in an increasingly globalized world.

How Online Schools Support Learning Foreign Languages

Online schools like Connections Academy are revolutionizing language education with comprehensive, accessible, and technologically advanced learning experiences, such as:

Expanded offerings. Many school districts are facing financial pressures today, forcing them to reallocate resources and even scale back on courses taught at brick-and-mortar schools. In contrast, online schools like Connections Academy are increasingly expanding their offerings of online language courses for credit, empowering virtual students with a wider range of foreign language options. For example, in addition to the typical French and Spanish language courses, the Connections Academy curriculum offers courses in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, German, Latin, and more.

Virtual school students can even begin taking language electives as early as elementary school, allowing for extended exposure and practice.
The power of technology. Many online schools, including Connections Academy, make harnessing the power of technology to help students reach their full potential a priority. For instance, Connections Academy uses technology to create immersive language learning experiences. While attending class in online classrooms, students listen to their teacher speak and watch presentations. They can ask and answer questions over chat interfaces, or teachers can invite them to use the microphone. Students can also work with other students in small groups. Because these live classroom sessions are usually recorded, students can watch lessons over again to help them master pronunciation or challenging concepts.

One innovative program at Connections, Time to Talk, pairs students with native-speaking tutors for virtual, one-on-one, or small-group practice sessions to help students improve their fluency. Working with the tutor, students also review specific lessons, show their understanding of course concepts and vocabulary, and practice communication skills.

So far, parents and students have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the program, saying that the additional practice during Time to Talk makes a huge difference to their learning.
Cultural education. Connections Academy’s online language curriculum also integrates cultural education, including traditions, history, and practices of native-language speakers. Teachers often integrate geography, history, diet, beliefs, cooking, and other practices into lessons. This gives students a window into another culture and provides learners opportunities to view the world from a different perspective and hear language in the correct context.

This cultural context helps improve students’ comprehension of language, opens their minds to foster a broader worldview, and promotes understanding and positive attitudes toward diverse people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Do You Have to Take a Language in High School?

Foreign language requirements vary by state and school district. Some states (including Alaska, Kansas, and Colorado) don’t require high school students to fulfill any foreign language credits at all to graduate. Other states may require a certain number of years or semesters. Among states with foreign language requirements, the number of credits needed can vary significantly. For example, in New York, students must earn at least one unit of foreign language credit to graduate, while in California, high school students must study at least one year of either a foreign language or a visual/performing arts course.

For the most accurate information in your area, check with your school district or state Department of Education.

Regardless of high school requirements at the state level, many colleges and universities expect applicants to have completed at least two years of high school foreign language. However, the benefits of learning a second language extend far beyond meeting specific academic requirements.

Benefits of Learning a Second Language

Students who study languages different from their native tongue can realize many benefits, including:

Elevated cognitive abilities, including memory, intelligence, and problem-solving. This is true especially for those who learn another language early in life, according to The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Gains in word-study, reading skills (in English) and verbal expressions of math and science.
Higher performance on standardized tests used for college admissions, such as the SAT and ACT.
A competitive edge in many career paths later in life. Demand for multilingual employees who can communicate effectively across borders is on the rise.
Awareness about different cultures and enhanced global understanding in general—increasingly important in today’s interconnected world.

With all of these benefits in mind, it’s no surprise many young people today are exploring different options for how to learn a new language.

Whether students take online language courses for credit or embrace language learning opportunities for the myriad of other benefits, developing foreign language skills can help broaden their understanding of the world and their future career options and ultimately lead to more enriching academic, professional, and personal lives.

Today, virtual schools are offering a wider variety of online foreign language courses than ever before. They’re also making efficient use of technology and other methods for practicing and gaining fluency in world languages, helping more students from around the world prepare for a successful future in the global economy.

Interested in rounding out your student’s K-12 education by exposing them to world language learning? Find a school near you to check out Connections Academy’s foreign language curriculum options.