Finding a new language to learn can be a fun, rewarding experience as you enter new cultures, meet new friends, and discover new academic opportunities. For high school students, learning a new language is not only a valuable skill to learn, but it also encompasses a graduation requirement. Digital learning has made it easier than ever for students since they have the option of participating in flexible and interactive online language classes. Students have access to great online options across an array of learning options. Whether you're looking for accredited courses for school credit, intensive language programs, or app-based learning for fun, there are courses for everyone's learning style. In this blog, we'll highlight ten of the top online language courses for high school students, each with unique features to help you achieve your language learning goals.
1. LanguageBird: Accredited and Self-Paced Language Learning
LanguageBird works great for high school students who need an accredited online class to take online in order to work around busy schedules, or for students looking to fulfill the language requirement for graduation or enhance college applications with a language learning class. They are accredited by WASC, Cognia, NCAA, and the UC. The self-directed pace allows students to dedicate as much or as little time to learning a language as they want, while still working towards graduation protocols and extra-curricular activities. Students have three programs to select from - Excel, Achieve, and Core - and can find the right fit for their learning style and objectives.
2. The American Academy: Diverse and Accredited Language Offerings
The American Academy has an extensive number of accredited online language courses, with offerings in many of the most taught languages, such as Spanish, along with more esoteric languages, such as Latin and Navajo. Students can take the courses individually or as part of a complete diploma program, which provides flexibility for students whose school systems do not offer certain languages. Moreover, students will be able to use the American Academy online language course credits towards credit transfer to colleges and universities. The platform was developed specifically for flexibility, where students will be able to study from just about any location, complete the courses at their own pace, and earn flexible credits.
3. Excel High School: Immersive and Flexible Language Education
Excel High School offers online courses in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language that incorporate aspects of grammar, vocabulary, and culture for a complete language experience. Whether students are just beginning their studies in a language or are advanced learners, they can learn at their own pace, completing an interesting and interactive curriculum that meets both academic and real-world expectations of language learning. The program is designed to engage students and is aligned to the college admissions process while also preparing each student to communicate effectively in our multicultural society.
4. Duolingo: Gamified Learning for All Ages
Duolingo is a popular language learning app that provides users with interesting and gamified language learning content in languages such as Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. Students could use the app to practice their daily vocabulary and grammar through short lessons that are engaging. The Duolingo Stories feature provides users with work on improving their reading and comprehension skills. Duolingo also does not have any formal credentials, so students would have to use it with other tools that offer recognized credentials and measurement of their progress. Duolingo is a great tool for helping students learn the language skills they need to build a base. The app does offer users motivation so that learning a language is fun with daily practice.
5. Babbel: Focused on Real-Life Conversation Skills
Babbel provides organized courses that use real-life scenarios and practical vocabulary in 14 languages. Babbel provides course material, specifically designed to provide language learners with the ability to speak with confidence. Babbel focuses on everyday conversations, and the Review Manager tool helps the learner recall vocabulary they have learned from lessons. Babbel is appropriate for students at the beginner and intermediate stages, and with the use of repetition, contextualized learning, and interactive exercises, learners will achieve fluency. These features make Babbel a great supplement to formal language learning.
6. Rosetta Stone: Immersive and Structured Language Learning
Rosetta Stone is a well-established platform that offers immersive instruction in 24 languages. This means that it does not teach with translation but uses a full-value approach, reading, listening, speaking, and writing concurrently. TruAccent is a speech recognition feature that ensures learners can practice how they pronounce sounds in conjunction with how native speakers pronounce sounds. Rosetta Stone is very structured, which mimics a classroom environment, yet allows you to build a solid foundation with the language and pursue long-term fluency goals with the guidance of a digital tutor at your own pace!
7. Memrise: Vocabulary Building with Spaced Repetition
Memrise is a vocabulary-based app designed to hold students more accountable for learning new vocabulary more efficiently by utilizing spaced repetition and unique memory techniques. The Memrise app uses content created by real experts and native speakers, featuring video and audio for pronunciation and context. Memrise has a gamified interface and provides a great representation of progress, which engages students, while also focusing on vocabulary and the use of real-world vocabulary makes it suitable for both beginner and more advanced learners who want to expand their word bank.
8. Busuu: Comprehensive Learning with Native Speaker Interaction
With language courses available in 12 major languages, Busuu provides a holistic educational experience of self-directed learning, covering vocabulary, grammar, language learning journeys, daily interactions, and accent. Busuu's way of life is practice, and a highlight of Busuu is the opportunity for students to practice speaking with native speakers via chat, voice, and video exchanges. In combination with structured weekly lessons, Busuu's interactive features provide opportunities for conversational fluency, cultural awareness, many forms of written practice, and much experience to become a more confident language speaker and user. For high school students, Busuu is a comprehensive resource to support practical language communication skills.
9. LingQ: Intermediate and Advanced Language Learning
LingQ is for language learners who would like to improve their skills in one of the 37 languages offered, with intermediate and advanced learners being the target audience. It was founded by polyglot Steve Kaufman and offers authentic reading and listening materials as well as vocabulary tools, writing feedback, and live speaking opportunities. Students approach learning a language through immersion and real-world application using LingQ. Students learn through exposure to real, natural content while differentiating their learning and tracking their progress within a community of learners.
10. Mango Languages: Practical Conversations and Cultural Nuances
Mango Languages provides courses covering over 70 languages and focuses on real conversations in the context of culture. These are courses where one's learning is taken into account, and the app adapts to how speedily, or unhurriedly, the student prefers the learning to take place. Each lesson focuses on multiple aspects of a language in consideration of formal grammar, informal everyday slang, multiple concepts, grammatical structures, language exchanges, and more. With a focus searchlight on cultural context and communications, Mango Languages can be used by learners of all abilities and learners who want to learn the language through an active, well-rounded, and immersive language learning experience, so that practical situations for communication can be prepared for.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE Research helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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