In high school, you are required to take a second language. Most students take Spanish either because it is the only one offered, it looks easy, it's what everyone else takes, or whatever other reason. The question is, can you really learn Spanish while in high school?
If you took Spanish in high school years ago or know someone who has, it would probably be a big surprise if either of you knew much more than a few greetings, let alone could carry on a conversation. It's the sad truth that most people who took Spanish or another language, even if they took it all four years, can't speak a word of it after high school. What's the point of taking a language you will soon forget? There is no point in learning something you will never use.
It is actually possible to learn quite a bit of Spanish while in high school. It all depends on how you are taught and what you put into it. Your teacher also has a lot to do with it. If they only teach you a tiny bit and don't have you practice enough, you will learn very little. A teacher that forces you to always speak in the language and speak often, that gives you a lot of exercises to do, and drills in vocabulary will be much more effective.
If you really want to increase your learning while in high school Spanish class, there are several things you can do. First, learn everything you are taught. Don't just do your assignments and study for the tests and quizzes. Master the vocabulary and practice speaking, reading, and writing on a regular basis. Go above and beyond what you are learning in class. Add new vocabulary, practice your verbs, watch the Spanish channel, and just keep drilling the language into your head.
The other problem with learning a language in high school is that you often forget most or all of what you learned. There is only one way to avoid this when learning any language. Use it or lose it. If you stop using the language, you will forget it. Learning a second language is not like riding a bike. You will not remember it for life if you stop using it. The longer you go without hearing or using the language, the more and more of that language you will lose. So if you really want to take advantage of your high school Spanish classes, keep up your Spanish!
