How Families Homeschool High School and Teach World Languages
Are you a parent questioning whether to homeschool high school? When you homeschool high school, students are more mature and often have better study habits. They are more independent and capable of taking greater responsibility for their own learning.
Loads of foreign language resources exist online, but finding a foreign language curriculum for high school can be a challenge. Many videos and apps are aimed at younger children, which makes teenagers resistant to use them.
To help you create order out of chaos, I’ve gathered tips, information, and experiences from homeschool families who teach foreign language for high school.
In this blog post, I’ll share the benefits of homeschool high school—and of learning Spanish— and share the best of the collective knowledge I’ve gathered!
Watch Our Video on Homeschool Highschool and World Languages!
Why Homeschool High School?
Homeschooling high school is exciting and liberating because it is truly individualized. It is a process that you tailor to fit your teen’s dreams and goals for their future.
According to some homeschooling experts, homeschooling high school isn’t radically different from homeschooling younger children.
The main concern during the high school years is preparation for a career or college, record keeping, meeting state requirements, and engaging in an appropriately challenging curriculum. Many states require at least two credits of a foreign or world language for high school graduation. Colleges often require 3 or 4 credits in the same language, depending on the degree plan your undergraduate chooses. (We’ll get back to these requirements later in this post.)
Our children’s high school years are the last moments we have as homeschool parents to provide them with meaningful experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. World language studies opens doors to countless opportunities!
World Languages vs Foreign Languages
The term “foreign language” implies something alien, difficult, and unlikable, meanwhile “world languages” is a more appropriate term that carries the connotation of global communication. Thus, many colleges and institutions prefer this term today. The core idea is that “world languages” may be different from English, but they are certainly not alien or unlikable.
Because of this distinction, I’ll be using the term “world languages” in this article.
Homeschool High School Benefits
While younger children absorb world languages more naturally, older students have the advantage of understanding grammar and learning more quickly.
Learning a new language spurs a lifelong journey for your children. Once they begin studying another language, they’ll be drawn to learn about geography, art, history, culture, food, and more.
Learning a second language doesn’t impede the development of your child’s first language—it actually enables their brain to function faster. Students of world languages improve their processing speed for all subjects.
Speaking another language helps teens to develop perspective taking skills and expand their critical thinking abilities. Learning the grammar structures of another language even helps teens to better understand English grammar!
Learning a new language teaches the importance of habits. Regular practice is the foundation of language learning, just as the practice of a musical instrument is essential to music learning. Habit formation serves students well across the board.
Check out 10 benefits of learning a second language from the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages.
Homeschool High School Tips and Strategies
Some homeschool parents opt to teach a foreign language themselves, while others outsource to a tutor. It depends on each individual family’s needs and goals, the languages the parents speak, and many other variables.
Check out this handful of helpful ideas on teaching world languages from experienced high school homeschoolers:
1. Think Outside the Classroom
One of the best parts of homeschooling (and one of its greatest advantages) is the flexibility to learn outside a traditional classroom setting.
Be creative about finding opportunities to connect your teen with native Spanish speakers. It could be anything from volunteering at places where Spanish is spoken to joining a Whatsapp group to speak with native speakers with your supervision.
Here are a few other learning opportunities beyond the textbooks:
- Play Spanish games (See vocabulary activities for high school!)
- Practice baking and cooking using Spanish recipes
- Write emails to a Spanish penpal
- Go to the farmer’s market
- Go to the library
Create time and space for these opportunities in your schedule. Exploring new skills, meeting people, and playing are all important ways we learn and grow. Incorporate those experiences into your homeschool environment for a well-rounded curriculum.
2. Help Your Teen See the Bigger Picture
Because learning Spanish requires a great deal of focused practice, it may be a challenge to see the end goal. Help your student make the connection between what they’re doing and a greater goal.
Provide real-life scenarios in which they can use the language. Again, interacting in a community activity where the language is motivating. Or connect language learning to a future career plan or international trip.
3. Create a Designated Learning Space
Homeschooling is fun and often messy. The same goes for children of all ages. Encourage your teen to keep their study materials organized. Designate a specific learning hub—a space where they keep supplies and books.
4. Map Out a Spanish Learning Plan
Map out your Spanish studies for the school year to track progress on your goals and plan projects. Dividing major goals and projects into smaller steps makes them more manageable. Visualizing your plans can help you stay organized and see your progress at a glance.
Work together to set learning goals broken down by school year, semester, and month. This is also a splendid opportunity to teach your child goal-setting skills and best practices.
5. Collaborate with Other Homeschoolers
Just because you’re in charge of your child’s education doesn’t mean you’re in this alone. Especially now, due to the pandemic, rich and diverse homeschool communities have sprouted up all around the world.
Connect with other homeschoolers in your area or online to collaborate and share resources. This not only simplifies the process, but also enriches your child’s experience and expands their educational opportunities.
Homeschool High School with HSA
Homeschool Spanish Academy is an ideal option for families looking to homeschool a foreign language!
Our high school Spanish curriculum at Homeschool Spanish Academy (HSA) includes eight courses, from Spanish 1A to Spanish 4B. This program enables you to make your own schedule, choose your instructor, and reschedule or cancel a session if needed. As a student, you can choose your session frequency.
The High School Spanish Program at HSA is one of the most competitive online Spanish classes for high school credit options available. The program exceeds the expectations of any public high school curriculum in the United States. It complies with grammar requirements while it heavily promotes your development of strong conversational skills.
Do you want to learn more?
- Preview our High School Curriculum (FREE download)
- Read an interview with a high school student
- Learn 25 Common Spanish Verbs for High School Students
- Explore other Spanish class options
Are You a Parent?
As you’ve seen, your high schooler can earn high school Spanish credit with HSA’s online Spanish classes. At this level, each lesson is 50 minutes long and integrates grammar and vocabulary with crucial conversation practice.
Individual and paired sessions are available, with the latter being a more economical option (perfect for siblings or friends). You also have flexibility when it comes to payment options. Learn more by contacting our Care Team (info@spanish.academy).
Get Official Transcripts for Your Student
HSA students can earn high school credits through an independent accreditation agency, North Atlantic Regional High School (NARHS). NARHS validates the quality of HSA curricula and holds it accountable. This means your student will receive official transcripts after each completed course..
Get the details on how a mother of one of our current students supports her child in her Spanish studies with us to see whether HSA would be a good fit for you and your child!
Read: 10 Crucial Ways to Support Your Child’s Homeschool Spanish Classes
What Others Are Saying About HSA
“My son is completing his first year with Homeschool Spanish Academy. We have been extremely pleased with the model of instruction and the progress he has made. When you login to your account you can see the syllabus, all grades, and credits earned. I like that he is accountable, conversing a lot in Spanish, and then telling ME everything he has learned! You can take a preview class, which is what sold us on Homeschool Spanish Academy. I highly recommend you do this if you are interested.” (Read more.) – Mary
“The customer service with this company is top notch!” – Rebecca, TN
“There’s just something about hearing someone speak Spanish as their first language that you don’t get with teachers whose first language is English.” – Josh Bernam, NY
“I think you’ll find the quality of Homeschool Spanish Academy to be excellent and the cost reasonable.” (Read more.) – Marcy, KY
Get Started with Homeschool High School
For over 10 years, Homeschool Spanish Academy has been offering online Spanish classes with certified, native-speaking Spanish teachers. It’s an affordable, interactive option to consider if you’re looking for a high-quality curriculum and guaranteed Spanish fluency. We pride ourselves in giving students the opportunity to advance in their studies by learning at their own pace. If you decide to complete an HSA course, it will transfer easily to a high school credit. No matter your Spanish level, join us and dive right in to the high school program!
If you’re ready to see what it’s like to learn Spanish from day one, try a free trial class today!
Want more free Spanish resources? Check these out!
- Our Homeschool Spanish Learning Experience in Rural America
- Top Cost-Effective Spanish Class Options for Kids
- How We Bring Native Spanish Home with Homeschool Spanish Academy
- My Stepson’s Experience Learning Spanish with HSA
- Why Learning Spanish Builds A Better Future For Your Child
- Babbel vs Rosetta Stone: Which Is Better?
- Get Spanish on Your Child’s Homeschool High School Transcript
- How Families Homeschool High School and Teach World Languages
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