Raising requires great patience and dedication under any circumstances, but it can be particularly tough for parents who are growing their families in a foreign country or whose first language isn’t English.
English is an important global language that’s often known as the world’s lingua franca (free language). If you live in the UK or another English-speaking country, then it’s vital that your child learns to speak English fluently.
Even if you don’t, or aren’t sure where you and your child will live in the future, learning English is a valuable skill, and one that you should try to foster where possible.
For kids whose first language isn’t English, it can be a challenging language to learn, but it’s important that parents support their kids and help them to improve their communication skills.
To find out more about how you can help your child to embrace English and speak with confidence, read on.
Make Learning Fun With Games
When your child is learning at home, it’s important that you don’t make English lessons feel like a chore. If you do, then your child will come to resent them and you. Instead, try to find ways to make learning fun by using games and fun activities. For example, you could try playing your child’s favourite board game speaking exclusively in English using word games to help them to learn new words and phrases. You and your child can have fun while they learn, which will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Send Them To An Immersive Learning Programme
Getting your child to enjoy learning English and understand the importance of improving their language skills can be challenging. One fun way to immerse them in the English language and culture is to send them to a dedicated learning programme. For example, SKOLA offers a dedicated summer school in London for kids that will be fun and educational, allowing your child to learn and make new friends at the same time. Summer schools like these can be a unique and unforgettable experience for your child and help them to improve their communication skills.
Learn With Them
Studying alongside your child can be a great exercise for anyone who wants to learn more about English and support their kid. If English isn’t your first language either, or you just want to find an innovative way to bond with your kid, then you could consider learning to improve your English skills alongside them. Consider testing them and then getting them to quiz you, to bolster your bond with your child and improve your English comprehension. Learning alongside your child also helps them to see that they’re not alone and become empathetic and supportive adults.
Hire An English Tutor
It’s not always easy to teach your child English yourself, particularly if it’s not your first language either. Thankfully, there are many English tutors out there who specialise in teaching non-native speakers to improve their English. Consider finding a local tutor who can work closely with your child and help them to practice their English. Many tutors will offer in-person or digital services and can come to your home or teach your child in a classroom setting. So, whatever your preference and requirements, you’ll be able to find a tutor who can help.
Buy English Versions Of Their Favourite Books
As well as spoken English, your child needs to learn to read the language, as this will help them to navigate the world and enjoy the arts. So, as well as talking to them in English, you should help your child to learn to read the language. A great way to do that, especially if your child can already read in another language, is to buy them two copies of their favourite books: one in English and one in their native language. You can then read the books with them in tandem so that they can pick up new words and improve their English comprehension. This approach will also help you to foster a love of reading in your child, which can be valuable for later in their lives.
Keep Trying And Exploring New Learning Methods
Struggling to learn a language can be incredibly frustrating, and it’s easy to want to give up. However, this teaches your child a bad lesson and won’t help them in the long run. Remember that every child learns differently, so if one technique doesn’t work, try a different approach. Keep exploring new ways to teach your child English and monitor their progress closely so that you can see which approaches work and which ones don’t. You’ll then be able to help them improve their English comprehension and achieve fluency in this challenging yet vitally important language. You’ll then be able to help your child to learn English in a fun way that improves their comprehension and their general understanding.