I am a polyglot and self-proclaimed language nerd. I am proficient in Spanish, can communicate in German and Brazilian Portuguese, am familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), and know a few words and phrases in Mandarin Chinese and French. My interest in foreign languages started at age ten when my mother took me to an elementary-level Spanish class. I studied Spanish and German in high school and proceeded to major in Spanish Education and minor in German in college.

There are many reasons to learn a foreign language. It can make traveling easier, allow you to communicate with people who do not speak English, and open more job opportunities. Learning new things is healthy for your brain, so you could also think of learning a foreign language as a brain workout.

Many different methods exist for teaching a foreign language, and countless programs for learning a foreign language are available. In this article, I am going to share with you what I do when teaching myself a new language and some free online resources to get your highschooler started on his or her own language-learning journey.

There are five elements to learning a second language:

  1. Listening
  2. Reading
  3. Speaking
  4. Writing
  5. Culture

The resources I am sharing deal with the first four areas. For culture, you can find information about the countries and communities where the target language is spoken, their history and legends, important figures, customs, holidays, and more via online searches, checking out materials at your local library, and maybe even going on a trip to experience the culture firsthand.

One thing that I have allowed to hold me back in my own language-learning journey was the lie that I was not fluent in a language unless I knew every single word in that language. English is my first language, and there are thousands if not millions of words that I do not know. More recently, I have shifted my focus from fluency to proficiency and made effective communication rather than perfection my goal. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has proficiency guidelines that define what someone can do at each level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. ACTLF lists five levels of proficiency: novice, intermediate, advanced, superior, and distinguished. The novice, intermediate, and advanced levels are further divided into three sublevels: low, mid, and high. I find ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines useful for setting realistic expectations for myself in terms of what I am and am not yet able to do in a language. (Hint: If it is your first day learning a language, you will be at the novice low level in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.)

My approach to learning a new language is traditional in that I focus on the grammar and, in the beginning, translate what I hear, read, write, and say from the target language into English and vice versa. (This type of translation was discouraged by several of my college professors, but it works for me.) I also embrace the idea that hearing the target language is essential and that new vocabulary should be introduced and heard in context. For this reason, I watch children’s videos, including preschool through kindergarten-level songs, in the target language to get my ear accustomed to the flow and rhythm of the language, build my vocabulary, and improve my pronunciation. I also repeat the new words and sentences I hear to practice the pronunciation and get my mouth accustomed to forming the new words and sounds.

When learning verbs, I sometimes use a language-learning method called Total Physical Response (TPR). TPR has the learner assign a movement to each new vocabulary word so that whenever he or she says or hears that word, he or she also does that word’s movement. For example, if I say any form of the verb “to jump” in the language I am learning, I jump or act like two of my fingers are legs and make them jump. I like to hear, see, and say a new word, and I will write, move, and sing it, too, because the more ways you engage with new vocabulary, the better you recall it.

Comprehension always proceeds production (i.e., you will advance in listening and reading more quickly than you do in speaking and writing). To improve speaking, I talk to myself in the target language. At the beginning, I might have textbook-style dialogues with myself (e.g., Good morning. How are you? I’m fine, and you? Fine, thanks. Bye. Goodbye.) or just create sentences using the same sentence structure or verb (e.g., I love my mom. My mom loves me. My mom loves my dad.). The same strategy applies for writing. Create shopping and to-do lists in the target language, label the furniture in your house, and write repetitive sentences in the target language (e.g., I like apples. I like dogs. I like to run.) to master the spelling and grammar structures. Once your proficiency in the target language reaches the intermediate level, try to talk or journal about your day, tell or write a short story, or write a letter. The more you use the language, the more automatic and natural using it becomes.

The main thing is to make sure that you are regularly working on the four areas of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. If you practice a language for 15 to 30 minutes a day, your proficiency will improve.

When teaching yourself a foreign language, the hardest part is getting no outside input on your pronunciation, grammar, etc. I recommend finding a good language app and/or YouTube channel that focusses on vocabulary acquisition and grammar and using that as your base. Then, find something you enjoy to make engaging with the language fun. I love movies, so I switch the audio on DVDs and streaming services to the target language and re-watch favorite movies in the target language. (Not all movies have different language tracks available.) I also listen to music in the target language on YouTube while I am doing tasks that are more mindless. (I got that idea from my grandmother. When she emigrated to the United States, she kept the radio in the house on all day long so that she became accustomed to the rhythm, sounds, and speed of English.)

Tips for gaining proficiency in a second language:

  1. Always repeat aloud what you hear.
  2. Find ways to make learning the language fun.
  3. Use what you know. (Start speaking and writing in the target language right away.)
  4. Embrace feeling silly and view mistakes as learning opportunities.
  5. Try to communicate with people in the target language whenever you get the chance.

Now, for the free online resources I promised you. Below are resources which I consider good for language instruction and acquisition in ASL, French, German, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Disclosure: I am recommending these resources because of their value as language-learning tools, not because of their religious or political stances. (For example, I recommend Duolingo because it is a very well-designed language-learning app, and it takes a lot for a language app to impress me. However, they clearly do not come from a Christian worldview, and I do not agree with some of the ideas expressed in some of their family-related practice sentences and stories.) Please preview the resources before having your child use them.

Have a great school year, and good luck to your student on his or her language-learning journey!

Free Online Language-Learning Resources by Language:

ASL

Dictionaries:

Lessons and Practice:

French

Dictionaries:

  • wordreference.com – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English.
  • Collins French Dictionary – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English. This dictionary also has articles on grammar and a verb conjugator.
  • List of the 100 most common words in French – For each word, there is a picture, the French word, the English translation, and an example sentence. All words and phrases can be listened to by clicking the megaphone icon.

Lessons and Practice:

  • Duolingo – This program can be accessed as an app on your phone or online. Duolingo provides language learners with grammar explanations and practice reading, typing, listening, and speaking the target language. For some languages, podcasts and stories are also available.
  • YouVersion – This Bible app can be accessed on your phone or computer and has multiple translations of the Bible. Many of the Bible versions come equipped with a listening option. If you download a version of the Bible in the language you want to learn that comes equipped with an audio option, you can listen to the Bible in the target language and follow along. This app can be used to work on listening and reading comprehension.
  • Songs and Stories for Learning Beginner French:
    • Rhythmic Chanting – French – Real Language Right Away provides chants of common questions and answers in French. The questions and answers are written out so the child can read along.
    • Early Elementary Chants in French – Real Language Right Away provides chants of common questions and answers in French. The questions and answers are written out so the child can read along.
    • French Verb Songs – Each video focusses on one verb. In a song or chant, the verb is conjugated and then a sample sentence is provided for each conjugation. The conjugations and sentences are written out so the child can read along.
    • Les Chansons – This playlist has vocabulary songs. For most of the songs, the lyrics are written out so the child can read along.
    • French Basics with Basho & Friends – This playlist has vocabulary songs. The lyrics are written in French, but most of the videos do not have images to aid comprehension.
    • French Fairy Tales – Animated fairy tales are told in French. The videos have English subtitles. (Preview these before showing them to your child. I have not watched all of them, but as they are fairy tales, some of them might not align with your family’s values.)
  • Learn French With Alexa – This channel contains vocabulary and grammar lessons for beginner and intermediate learners. It also contains videos to help prepare for French proficiency tests.
  • lingoni FRENCH – This channel contains French lessons for beginner through intermediate students and playlists specific to pronunciation, vocabulary, and listening comprehension.
  • Learn French with Vincent – This channel contains French grammar lesson playlists for beginner through intermediate learners and other playlists that focus on individual phrases, French speeches, and dictation exercises.
  • Learn French with Elsa – This channel contains French lessons for beginner through advanced students. There are also playlists specific to French dialogues, pronunciation, and verb conjugation.
  • Learn French with FrenchPod101.com – This channel contains vocabulary videos, listening comprehension exercises, and reading practice for different levels of French proficiency ranging from beginner to advanced.
  • Easy French – This channel contains videos of native French speakers asking people on the street different questions. The videos are subtitled in French and the English translation. They are good for listening comprehension, vocabulary building, and to learn about French culture. Warning, these videos are unscripted, and some of the people interviewed may swear.
  • French Grammar Exercises – This website has verb conjugation practice and grammar exercises.
  • one – This website has grammar exercises and language-learning tips.
  • Lingolia Français – This website has vocabulary lists and exercises and grammar explanations and exercises.

German

Dictionaries:

  • wordreference.com – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English.
  • Collins German Dictionary – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English. This dictionary also has articles on grammar and a verb conjugator.
  • List of the 100 most common words in German – For each word, there is a picture, the German word, the English translation, and an example sentence. All words and phrases can be listened to by clicking the megaphone icon.

Lessons and Practice:

  • Duolingo – This program can be accessed as an app on your phone or online. Duolingo provides language learners with grammar explanations and practice reading, typing, listening, and speaking the target language. For some languages, podcasts and stories are also available.
  • YouVersion – This Bible app can be accessed on your phone or computer and has multiple translations of the Bible. Many of the Bible versions come equipped with a listening option. If you download a version of the Bible in the language you want to learn that comes equipped with an audio option, you can listen to the Bible in the target language and follow along. This app can be used to work on listening and reading comprehension.
  • Songs and Stories for Learning Beginner German:
    • Learn German Through Music – This channel has songs in German geared towards toddlers and preschoolers that teach basic vocabulary and conjugation of some common verbs.
    • Lern mit mir – ABC 123 – This channel has songs in German geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. These songs are good for learning basic German vocabulary.
    • Sing mit mir – Kinderlieder – This channel has songs in German geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. These songs are designed for native speakers’ entertainment and are a good way to naturally hear simple vocabulary.
    • Lichterkinder – This channel has songs in German geared towards Kindergarteners. Many are dance videos.
    • German Fairy Tales – Animated fairy tales are told in German. The videos have English subtitles. (This is a good way for children to hear German in context at a natural, but still slower than normal, pace.) (Preview these before showing them to your child. I have not watched all of them, but as they are fairy tales, some of them might not align with your family’s values.)
  • Pennolino Playlist – This playlist contains videos that teach the colors, the alphabet, and the numbers from zero to a billion in German.
  • Learn German with Anja – This channel is geared for beginner and intermediate German learners. Anja, a native German speaker, posts lessons about German vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation videos. She also includes some videos about German culture.
  • Learn German – This channel is geared for beginner and intermediate German learners. Each video teaches German vocabulary and/or grammar. There is also a “Get to Know Germany” playlist which provides some German culture.
  • Deutsch verstehen – This channel contains animated videos for beginner- to intermediate-level German learners in which the viewer can listen to and read along with slow German dialogue. Click “CC” in the lower right of the video screen to turn on English subtitles.
  • Learn German with GermanPod101.com – This channel contains vocabulary videos, listening comprehension exercises, and reading practice for different levels of German proficiency ranging from beginner to advanced.
  • Easy German – This channel contains videos of native German speakers asking people on the street different questions. The videos are subtitled in German and the English translation. The videos on this channel are good for listening comprehension, vocabulary building, and to learn about German culture. Warning, these videos are unscripted, and some of the people interviewed may swear.
  • de – In the Grammar section are grammar explanations and videos about Germany (hosted by kids). The written sections have a megaphone icon that will read the German, and an English translation is available for all the videos. In the Literature section are portions of different stories in German that can be listed to by clicking the megaphone icon. The English translation of the story section is to the right of the German.
  • Lingolia Deutsch – This website has vocabulary lists and exercises, grammar explanations and exercises, writing tips, and cultural information.
  • german.net – This resource allows students to expand and practice vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension through short explanations in English and multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank exercises.

Mandarin

Dictionaries: (To search from Chinese into English, either copy and paste the character from a website or document or begin typing the pinyin in the search field and select the word you are looking for from the dropdown options.)

  • wordreference.com – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English.
  • Collins Mandarin Chinese Dictionary – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English.
  • List of the 100 most common words in Mandarin – For each word, there is a picture, the character, the pinyin, the English translation, and an example sentence. All words and phrases can be listened to by clicking the megaphone icon.

Lessons and Practice:

Writing Chinese Characters:

Spanish

Dictionaries:

  • wordreference.com – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English.
  • Collins Spanish Dictionary – An online, bilingual dictionary that can go from English to many other languages and from many other languages into English. This dictionary also has articles on grammar and a verb conjugator.
  • List of the 100 most common words in Spanish – For each word, there is a picture, the Spanish word, the English translation, and an example sentence. All words and phrases can be listened to by clicking the megaphone icon.

Lessons and Practice:

  • Duolingo – This program can be accessed as an app on your phone or online. Duolingo provides language learners with grammar explanations and practice reading, typing, listening, and speaking the target language. For some languages, podcasts and stories are also available.
  • YouVersion – This Bible app can be accessed on your phone or computer and has multiple translations of the Bible. Many of the Bible versions come equipped with a listening option. If you download a version of the Bible in the language you want to learn that comes equipped with an audio option, you can listen to the Bible in the target language and follow along. This app can be used to work on listening and reading comprehension.
  • Songs and Stories for Learning Beginner Spanish:
    • Calico Spanish for Kids – Calico Spanish is a Spanish curriculum designed for kids. Some of their songs and stories are listed for free on YouTube.
    • Rhythmic Chanting – Spanish – Real Language Right Away provides chants of common questions and answers in Spanish. The questions and answers are written out so the child can read along.
    • Early Elementary Chants in Spanish – Real Language Right Away provides chants of common questions and answers in Spanish. The questions and answers are written out so the child can read along.
    • BASHO & FRIENDS – This playlist has vocabulary songs. The lyrics are written in Spanish, but most of the videos do not have images to aid comprehension.
    • Spanish Fairy Tales – Animated fairy tales are told in Spanish. The videos have English subtitles. (Preview these before showing them to your child. I have not watched all of them, but as they are fairy tales, some of them might not align with your family’s values. Also, using the Lord’s name in vain to express surprise or fear is not uncommon in Spanish.)
  • Beginner Spanish – This playlist contains concise, clear videos that teach the most essential grammar concepts for beginner and intermediate Spanish learners.
  • Teacher Catalina – Learn Spanish & Baking – This channel contains vocabulary and grammar lessons, comprehensive input videos (they are completely in Spanish, but a beginner can understand what is going on because of the visual cues), and videos about culture.
  • Professor Jason Spanish and Portuguese – This channel contains pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar lessons. (The videos in the playlists are not in sequential order.)
  • Learn Spanish with SpanishPod101.com – This channel contains vocabulary videos, listening comprehension exercises, and reading practice for different levels of Spanish proficiency ranging from beginner to advanced.
  • Señor Jordan – This channel contains videos that teach vocabulary and grammar through lessons and songs and also animated videos that use a method called TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) to help students acquire vocabulary and grammar structures in Spanish.
  • How Do You Say It in Spanish – Each video focusses on one word or phrase and then gives several scenarios and/or example sentences to demonstrate how it is used.
  • Spanish with Alma – This channel has easy Spanish videos for beginners. Alma speaks slowly and uses images to aid listening comprehension.
  • Spanish Proficiency Exercises – Native Spanish speakers from different countries talk on a specific theme for a minute or two. The listening comprehension exercises range in difficulty from beginner through superior. For each video, you can choose to hide the transcript or view it in Spanish or English.
  • Easy Spanish – This channel contains videos of native Spanish speakers asking people on the street different questions. The videos are subtitled in Spanish and the English translation. They are good for listening comprehension, vocabulary building, and to learn about Spanish culture. Warning, these videos are unscripted, and some of the people interviewed may swear.
  • Lingolia Español – This website has vocabulary lists and exercises and grammar explanations and exercises.
  • studyspanish.com – The material covered ranges from beginner through advanced. The verb drills and many of the pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary lessons and quizzes can be accessed for free.

Katie Merkel is a former homeschooler, certified K-12 Spanish teacher in the state of Pennsylvania, and writer. In addition to being a language nerd, Katie is also a secondary-level home school evaluator and combines her love of teaching and reading by combining themed book lists with crafts and educational activities targeted to children in preschool through elementary on her blog. You can visit Katie on her website (katiemerkelwriter.wordpress.com/) or Facebook page (facebook.com/pennsylvaniahomeschoolevaluator).