When high school student Riley Chan set out to fulfill her world language requirement, she didn’t expect to find a passion that would shape her future. After completing her third Japanese course through BYU Independent Study, Riley reflected on how much she enjoyed the experience and how accessible it made learning a language not offered at her school.
“I really liked that the courses were self-paced,” she shared. “It made it possible to fit Japanese into my schedule, even with everything else going on.”
Riley’s experience highlights a growing trend among high school students: using online learning to expand opportunities beyond what traditional schools can provide.
Expanding Access to Language Learning
For many students, language classes represent more than just a graduation requirement—they’re a gateway to understanding new cultures, perspectives, and opportunities. Whether students are interested in travel, international careers, or simply personal growth, studying another language enriches their world.
However, not all high schools have the resources to offer multiple language tracks or advanced levels. Schedules, staffing, and class size limitations can prevent students from pursuing the subjects that interest them most. That’s where online education fills the gap.
Through programs like BYU Independent Study, students can access accredited, high-quality courses in 11 different world languages, including Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, and more. Each course is designed to align with ACTFL standards and offers a full year to complete, allowing students to learn at their own pace—whether they’re catching up, getting ahead, or exploring something new.
A Bridge to the Future
For students like Riley, taking an online Japanese course was about more than meeting a requirement—it was about unlocking new possibilities. She now plans to continue studying Japanese in college and hopes to travel to Japan one day.
“It’s cool that I could learn something so different from what’s usually available,” she said. “Now I want to keep going.”
BYU Independent Study continues to empower students like Riley to explore their interests, achieve their goals, and prepare for a global future—one course at a time.