How to Teach a Child English

Fortunately, children’s brains are hard-wired to learn languages, especially before the age of 6. But children can acquire language skills at any age with encouragement and support. English has particular challenges since there are so many words that sound the same but have different meanings; there are many irregular verbs, too.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• TV, DVD and CD player
• <br>Music CDs
• <br>Children’s DVDs
• <br>Picture books
• <br>Art supplies
• <br>English-speaking children the age of your child
• <br>English children's songs

1. It’s helpful for children to associate English with an important person like a parent, grandparent or care giver. Have that person speak to the child mostly in English. Enunciate the words carefully. When the child gets frustrated or doesn’t understand, take a break.

2. Get a collection of music and DVDs that are appropriate for the child’s age. Play them (and children’s TV shows) for the child, but use caution, as children tend to watch too much TV.

3. When you are helping the child with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, getting into the car and taking a walk, use the opportunity to ask how things are said in English. Say something like “This is your shoe. Can you say ‘shoe’?” Make a game of it so that it’s fun.

4. Arrange for your child to play with English-speaking children around the same age. Explain to them that your child is just learning English but can speak another language. Have your child bring a toy that’s not hard to share. Keep an eye out to make sure your child is comfortable.

5. Read English picture books and let the child repeat words. After a while, she will remember the story so she can “read” it to you.

6. With a child who can read, use the art supplies to make labels together to mark things in the house like “door,” “bed” and “chair.” It’s best if the child already knows the words for these things before you make the labels because the spelling can be confusing.

7. Sing easy songs in English together.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise him for his progress but don’t go overboard.
• <br>If you don’t speak English, find a trusted English-speaking person who can visit your home to play with the child on a regular basis.
• Don’t correct every mistake the child makes.
• <br>Be relaxed about learning English. If it becomes a power struggle, you will lose the battle.
• <br>If there are more than two languages in the home, try to attach each language to a person or to some part of the child’s life so she doesn’t get confused.