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At what age should my child start learning English?

Although many parents will recognise that leaning English is important, they may not realise that learning it from infancy is essential.

Many studies show that learning two languages simultaneously from a very early age, leads to an easier and seamless path to becoming bilingual. Learning any language is a complex and time-consuming endeavour so the earlier the start, the better. Where parents have a strong grasp of their native language, we know a child will more easily pick up both their native language and a second one.

Don’t think twice about starting your child’s English learning journey from as young as 3. Where children learn a second language from an early age, we know they are more receptive, more creative, and more able to problem solve.

When your child is young, they will learn English in a natural, innate manner. Studies show their learning abilities up to the year are 4 are at their strongest and they are able to soak up as much learning as you can give them. There is no better time to give your child this new stimulus.

Children learning English from an early age will give your child access to two different cultures and they will grow up with an understanding of other nationalities and their cultures. It sets an early standard, allowing them the ability to talk to people from the other side of the world. The world is getting smaller by the day, and the ability to connect across borders has never been more important.

We know being bilingual opens many doors to employability and the earlier you start this journey, the better! The return on investment is almost immeasurable.

With over twenty years of experience in teaching English to children, I would be happy to discuss your particular requirements and any queries you may have.

6 Tips to teach pre-schooler kids English as a second language

Teaching your children English as a second language, can help create a wealth of opportunities for them in the future. The key to your child mastering a second language, is to teach them at the same time as they are learning the first one! Experts argue that a child’s ability to learn new languages diminishes as they get older, so the sooner you start the better. But how can you start teaching a foreign language to your pre-schooler kid?

With pre-schoolers it is all about engaging your child and making learning fun, children learn better when they are enjoying themselves. Here are a few ideas for you to try:

1. Playing English nursery rhymes

Play nursery rhymes in the background while your child is carrying out other activities at home or while they are in the car. Just by hearing these rhymes they will naturally gain an ear for the structure of the English language. After a while you will find your child will be bopping along singing the words to you.

2. Read books together

Reading very simple bilingual books together can be fun for your child and helps them expand their vocabulary and awareness of different cultures. There are lots of lovely books to choose from.

3. Encourage your child to be the teacher

Young children love pretending to be teachers, who are in charge of a class. One of the best ways for a child to truly learn something is to teach it back to someone else. Ask your little one to give you and their toys a lesson based on words they have learned.

4. Creating a journal together

Create journals of the new language your child is learning, the more fun and colourful the better. This will help them absorb and remember the language by seeing the pictures and recognising the words they have been taught.

5. Label things around the house

Put fun labels on objects around the house to practice identifying words. Regular repetition of words helps little ones remember them and sticking them on the corresponding objects can help jog their memory. They can also enjoy a game of hide and seek finding new labels around the house.

6. Use free language resources

Research online for websites that have online language books, games and activities. You can also use screen time to your advantage, by allowing your child to watch their favourite cartoon or TV program in English.

If you need any support in teaching your child English, then feel free to contact us. Learning a language is not always easy and does not happen overnight, but teaching your child English is a gift that can last them a lifetime.

Kind Regards,

Lisa

Owner & Founder

English Lessons 4 Kids