6 ways to teach young children English
Hi, Mom and Dad!
I am sure you are well aware of the importance of teaching English to your kids.
Teaching your children English will ensure that you’re prepping your kids for academic and professional success!
But doing it might feel overwhelming!
Where do you even start? What can you do to teach your children English? What resources can you utilize?
Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll discuss practical things ways you can do to teach your children English, starting today!
Without further ado, let’s start!
1. Start with the basics
Slow and steady is the way when it comes to learning new languages!
Assess your children’s English level. Don’t worry if they are entirely unfamiliar with the English language. After all, that’s what learning is for!
Start with the building blocks of any language – the letters! or, as they’re known in English, the alphabet!
Then, start introducing basic words, such as adjectives (big, small, tall, short, happy, sad, angry etc) verbs (eating, drinking, sleeping, etc) and subject (I, you, we, they, etc). Choose words that they are ’ll likely to use in their daily conversations.
Then, start encouraging your children to make basic sentences. Such as “I am eating a burger”, “I feel happy”, etc).
Starting with the basics will make it easier for your children to learn more complex concepts later on.
2. Use visuals
Young children learn best when they can see what they are learning.
They haven’t grasped absurd concepts yet. For example, they might not understand the concept of numbers. So, what you can do is use pictures or flashcards, for example by showing a picture of an apple to learn about the number one, picture of two stars to learn about the number two, and so on.
Picture books, flashcards, videos, or even just pointing at the things around them are a great way to teach your children new vocabulary words. With the use of visuals, your children will memorize new words faster.
3. Make it fun
Let’s face it, children aren’t exactly known for their ability to sit still and stay focused.
So, let’s incorporate some things to make it fun!
You can incorporate games, songs, and even role plays to help your children learn English!
Nursery rhymes are good for teaching children basic vocabulary.
Some games you can play are simon says, bingo, and memory matching using flashcards, I spy with my little eyes, and many more!
And role play is virtually limitless! You can play any role you want! You can role play different professions, such as teachers, doctors, astronauts, and so much more! You can even role play as a dinosaur for all I care! We all know children’s imaginations are limitless.
4. Use repetition
Repetition is key when it comes to learning.
A wise person once said, repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishments.
That’s basically a fancy way to say that nothing gets done without at least some repetition!
When it comes to learning English, repeating words and phrases several times will make your children remember them better.
5. Speak slowly and clearly
Speaking slowly can be helpful for children who are learning English as a second language.
When children are learning a new language, they may have difficulty understanding and processing spoken language quickly.
Speaking more slowly can help them to understand the words and sentences more easily, and to learn the correct pronunciation.
Follow these tips to help your child learn to pronounce English words easily:
- Speak clearly: When you speak, make sure to enunciate your words clearly. This will make it easier for children to understand what you are saying.
- Use short sentences: When teaching English to young children who are not familiar with English, it’s better to use short and simple sentences. Referring to point number 1, starting with the basics is the way to go!
- Repeat yourself: There’s nothing wrong with repeating yourself! You can also try using different words and phrases to convey the same meaning to help your child understand it better.
- Give your child time to process: When you’re teaching your child English, give them time to process what you are saying! Pause between sentences and ask if they understand before moving on to the next topic.
6. Utilize technology
Technology is becoming increasingly more advanced day by day and there’s no shortage of resources you can use to help your child learn English!
From mobile applications, language learning websites, educational videos on YouTube, and language learning games, the possibilities are endless!
Technology is definitely a very valuable tool and can be extremely helpful to help your child learn English. But remember, you can’t rely entirely on technology!
Use it with conjunction of traditional teaching methods to make the best learning experience for your child!
Summary
In conclusion, teaching your children English is not as daunting as it seems!
With patience, creativity, and fun-loving attitude, you can help your children learn English in a fun and enjoyable way!
By giving children a supportive environment and building on their interests and strengths, they can learn to speak English with confidence and skill, which will open up new doors and opportunities for them in the future.
And you are not alone! We are here to help!
Check out our young learner course to see how we can help your children learn English the right way!
Do you want your child to speak with confidence and fluency?
So many children in Indonesia lack confidence when they speak English. They are worried about making mistakes and are embarrassed to speak in front of others. This is because they have been taught English the wrong way!
At IELC, we teach English the right way so your child can express themselves with confidence and fluency. Whether it’s online or on campus, we create positive learning environment where your child will feel warm and welcome, where they can learn and have fun at the same time.
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With so many courses available, it can be confusing to know which course to choose.
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We teach English the right way so that your child gain confidence and fluency.
With these skills, they can unlock their potential and fulfill their dreams!
Our experienced teachers will guide your child along every step of the learning process to ensure the best learning outcome.
As Indonesia’s #1 English Campus, we offer great courses for kids, teens, and adults:
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Whether it’s online or on campus, we will help your child gain the skills they need for their future. Contact us to start your child’s journey towards confidence and fluency today!
Sincerely,
Anthony McCormick
IELC Managing Director