How To Teach Your Child A New Language

Most schools incorporate modern foreign languages into the curriculum, but you may be wondering how you can help your child with this aspect of the learning whilst at home. Learning a new language will be great for your child and might even broaden their career options in the future. It will be easier for you to help your child learn a language if you speak it yourself, but you don’t have to be fluent in the language in order to help your child, as explored by a private school in Hitchin below.

Start by doing some research into the resources available, both online and in your local community. For example, there may be language classes that your child can attend after school or on weekends in your local town. You may have to invest in some books and cue cards to help your child learn at home. There are also lots of apps that they could download to their tablet or smartphone to help with their learning. These are accessible any time and in any place, allowing your child to practice their language skills whilst they’re waiting for the bus or sitting in the reception area before a doctor’s appointment.

Invest in some sticky labels and encourage your child to name the objects around your home, such as the front door, the fridge and their wardrobe. This will help them rehearse basic vocabulary that they can then incorporate into conversations when they become more proficient. You might find that this looks a little messy, but it will be very beneficial to your child’s pursuit to learn a new language.

You should also encourage your child to watch foreign films and TV programmes with English subtitles, to provide them with an opportunity to follow conversations and learn accurate pronunciation. Once they become more skilled in the language they will be able to switch off the subtitles. Reading foreign books is also another beneficial learning experience for those who are a little more advanced.

There are other, more immersive options when it comes to helping your child with their language learning, but these might not be accessible to everyone so don’t panic if it’s not possible. For instance, you could visit a country where the local people speak the language that your child is trying to learn, or you could encourage them to build a pen pal relationship with someone online. As long as you are encouraging them to practise frequently, you are on the right track!