Getting Started with a New Language: FAQs Every High School Student Should Know

Nervous about learning a second language? You’re not alone! It’s totally normal to feel anxious, but here’s the secret: you’re already capable of way more than you think! Whether you’re worried about tricky grammar rules, memorizing new words, or speaking in front of others, this FAQ list is here to show you that learning a new language doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be fun, rewarding, and easier than you expect. Ready to turn those nerves into confidence? Let’s tackle your biggest questions and help you feel excited about learning a new language and all of the opportunities it brings!

1. Why should I learn a second or third language?

Being bilingual isn’t just cool—it opens doors! From acing job interviews to traveling the world, speaking another language gives you a major edge in both your personal life and future career. Studies show that bilinguals are 50% more likely to be hired and 45% more likely to be promoted in their first five years in a career. Many jobs offer extra pay to bilinguals, including careers in the medical, legal, government, business, and IT fields. When you learn another language you also acquire the soft skills that employers want most. Plus, the brain science shows that bilinguals have more gray matter, improved focus, problem-solving, and multitasking skills, and even delays dementia and memory loss. In other words, it gives you a mental edge that lasts a lifetime!  

2. Which language should I study?

When deciding what language to study, pick one that connects to your interests or personal life. If you're into K-pop, maybe Korean is for you. Love Anime? Japanese might be a fun challenge. Play soccer? Spanish could help you connect with teammates from different cultures. You might do a little research and discover that there’s a language which compliments your career goals like engineering and German or business and Chinese. Or maybe a family heritage language, like French or Polish, could give you a way to understand your heritage better. Choosing a language that you feel excited about will make learning it more enjoyable—and you'll be more likely to stick with it!


3. How can you stop doubting yourself and thinking, "I’m just not good at learning languages"?

It's easy to doubt yourself, but the truth is, you’ve already learned at least one language. Everyone can learn a new language with the right mindset and practice! Start by identifying some real ways that you’d like to be able to use the language (career, travel, interacting with gamers, understand music you like, etc.) Studies show that consistent effort, not talent, is what makes the biggest difference in language learning success. To help build confidence, start with small, manageable goals—like learning 5 new words a day, watching a video in the language (with or without subtitles), or practicing speaking for 5 minutes. Celebrate those wins, no matter how small! Remember, your brain is designed to learn new things, and the more you practice, the better you'll get. Mistakes are part of the process, so don’t be afraid to try!

4. What are some effective ways to remember and learn new vocabulary?

There are lots of easy vocabulary learning tools. Try an App like Duolingo that turns vocabulary learning into a game, with fun challenges, flashcards, and rewards that keep you motivated while helping you memorize new words. Consider a “Word of the Day” by sharing a new word every day with your friends via social media or text, and challenge each other to use it in conversations, memes, or captions for a fun way to practice together! Watch Netflix in the language you’re learning and use an extension like Lingopie to create vocabulary lists and flashcards. If you’re really brave, try switching your phone's language to the one you're learning. You’ll pick up everyday vocabulary just by navigating through your phone, texting, and using your apps!

If you keep track of all of the words you know, you’ll even have a basic idea of what language level you’re at. Keep your list on an App or go “old school” with a notebook. When you hit 1,000 words, you’re no longer a beginner. When you know 2,000 to 3,000 words, and can use them in sentences, you’re likely at a level where you can earn the first “Functional Fluency” level of Global Seal of Biliteracy certification.      

5. How can I improve my pronunciation? I want to sound more like a native speaker.  

Don’t worry too much about pronouncing words perfectly. Think about people you know who are native speakers of your language but speak with a variety of accents and even pronounce words differently. As long as a person can understand your message, you’re a success! 

There are, however, things you can do to improve your pronunciation. Start by listening and speaking as often as you can.  Watch movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos in the language and try to imitate how the characters speak. You can even sing along to songs! Try a “Shadowing” technique. Listen to a native speaker and repeat what they say at the same time. It’s like being their echo! You can do this with podcasts, news clips, or language-learning videos. It helps with both pronunciation and fluency.  you’ll get a feel for the rhythm and tone of natural speech. 

6. How can I overcome my fear of speaking a new language in front of others?

If speaking in front of others makes you nervous, know you aren’t alone. Studies show that speaking is the scariest part of learning a new language for most people. There’s even a name for it: Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA). People might be afraid of making mistakes or forgetting a word, but hey, we do that in our own language.  The important thing to remember is that people know you’re learning and they admire your effort.

Start small and build your confidence. Begin by practicing with a friend, a family member, or even in front of a mirror. Small wins—like nailing a few sentences—will give you the confidence to gradually speak in front of larger groups. Record yourself on your phone, gradually increasing the time you speak. You’ll want to save the recordings to listen to later – you’ll be so amazed by how much you’ve improved over time. 

7. How am I supposed to remember all the grammar rules, accents, and word order stuff without my brain exploding?

First, it’s important to know that mistakes are normal, in fact, they’re a sign of progress. When you begin a new language, you memorize lots of frequently used phrases, like greetings, numbers, how to introduce yourself, or ask basic questions. It’s easy to get phrases like “Hello!” or “How are you?” right because you use them so often. It’s not until you move past those repetitive canned phrases and begin to mix and match your own words that mistakes happen. So, celebrate them because now you’re creating your own messages and that means progress. 

Secondly, language proficiency (or how well you can use the new language) is not measured by how many mistakes you make. Instead, it’s measured by what you “CAN DO.”  For example, can you give directions, ask and answer a simple question, or describe something or someone. If others can understand you, you’ve passed the first test. Once you can do those things at a basic level, you want to level-up your game by using more vocabulary and making it more complex by using transitions, longer sentences, give more detail, etc. Your first goal is to be understood, to get your message across, then, you can work on making your speaking and writing more organized and accurate.

8. What can I do to get more chances to practice the new language outside of class?

  • Look around. Do you have friends, family members, or people in your community that speak the language you’re learning? If the answer is yes, find ways to connect with them and let them know you’re learning and just want to practice. If you do, you’ll discover that they may speak the language differently and use different words than you do in class, and that’s normal. Just like people from the U.S. east coast speak differently than people from the Midwest or the south.       

  • Think about using free language apps such as Duolingo to learn more vocabulary more quickly, text your classmates in the language, join an online or gaming group that communicates in the language you’re learning, or interact on social media with people from countries that speak your new language.     

  • Check out some of the free language practice apps like Hello Talk, Tandem, or Speaky are language exchange platforms that connect you with native speakers of the language you’re learning. Here’s how they work:  the apps can match you with people who are fluent in the language you want to learn, and in return, you help them with the language you speak. For example, if you're learning Spanish and a native Spanish speaker is learning English, you both teach and learn from each other. You can practice writing, speaking, and listening by texting, voice messaging, or even doing video calls with your language partners. This helps you learn real-life conversation skills, slang, and accents.

  • If you’d like additional ideas on how to “Level-Up” on your own, check out our free video content for “Language Learners” hosted on our website. 

9. How can I mix my hobbies and interests into learning a language so it’s actually fun and not boring?

You can totally mix your hobbies and interests into language learning to make it more fun and practical! We’ve listed a few ideas below, but you’ll find more ways to “Level-Up” your language skills in free video content launched from the Global Seal website.

  • Watch Shows or Listen to Music in the Language: If you’re into K-pop, Anime, or Netflix shows in another language, use them to help you learn. Watch with subtitles and repeat phrases out loud to practice pronunciation and pick up new vocabulary. It’s a fun way to hear how the language is spoken in real life.

  • Follow Social Media or YouTubers in the Language: Love fashion, sports, or gaming? Follow influencers or content creators from other countries who speak the language you’re learning. You’ll get language practice while keeping up with trends in something you actually care about. 

  • Combine It with a Skill You Already Love: If you like cooking, try following recipes in the language. Love soccer? Watch post-game interviews or sports commentary from Spanish or French-speaking countries. You’ll see how the language is used in real-life, everyday situations, and it won’t feel like studying!

10. How many years do I need to take a language?

How many years you need to take a language really depends on how much you want to use it and how fluent you want to be. Some students take a couple of years just to get the basics down, while others stick with it longer to feel more confident speaking, writing, or using the language in real-life situations. It also depends on how much you practice outside of class. But here’s the thing—whether you take it for two years or five, the more you stick with it, the BIGGER the payoffs, like earning university credit, getting an easy second major or minor, travel opportunities, job offers, and connecting with people from other cultures! So, it’s worth the effort.

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