How to support your child in learning English?

English is an (almost) universal passport to discovering the world and communicating: whether it's for travelling, studying, watching films in VO or later working, the language of Shakespeare is becoming almost indispensable. And to learn it easily, you have to start as soon as possible but also know how to go about it.

Whether at home or away, online or travelling, here is an overview of the possibilities we have identified atécole M. It is up to you to choose according to the age of your child and of course the budget and time available.

Playing in English (without moderation)

What could be better than learning English through play? Even if you're not perfectly bilingual, there are plenty of games you can play with your children. Here are four examples, described in detail on the Ribambel family activities website.

• James says: Very good game for learning action verbs. The rules are the same as for James says. First, say ten actions by miming them so that they can understand what each verb means in English. Then have fun!
• Crossword puzzle: On one sheet of paper, place words to create a crossword puzzle. On a second sheet of paper, make the same empty grid, assigning a number to each word location. Give a definition to each number, make two teams and the first team to find it wins the game.
• Imitator (mime): Write jobs (teacher), objects (book), etc. in French and English on fifteen pieces of paper; place the pieces of paper in a hat, form two teams, one of the members must find the word thanks to the mime of his teammate.
• What do you see? (Placea number of objects on a table; before you start, give your children the English name for each object. Then ask them what they see.

Listening to music (and singing)

It's a well-known fact that music is good for your mood and your health. It promotes learning and develops cognitive skills. There are many nursery rhymes for learning English. Some combine gesture and speech, and are written by English speakers. These should be encouraged. As Claude Hagège explains in his book L'enfant aux deux langues: "It's between the ages of 3-4 that the child's ability to learn languages is at its peak. That's when mimicry capacities, on which the essence of language learning is based, are at their peak."

• The Conseilseducatifs website lists a dozen nursery rhymes, including "Row your boat", which is the equivalent of "Bateau sur l'eau". Their tips indicate how to learn them, and emphasize one point: no translation, just gestures!

Visit (reference) websites

While there are countless English-language materials on the Internet, one tip is to focus on reference sites. These can include :

• The British Council offers a wide range of tools to help children learn English. These sites are welcoming, colorful, intuitive and fun. The child learns without realizing it.
• National Geographic has developed a "kids" version, featuring educational videos (e.g. "a dolphin is not a fish") and vocabulary quizzes ("Ice cream flavor"). You can also take out a subscription to their magazine and share these discoveries with your children.

Using (recognised) applications

Supporting children in learning English can also be done on the small screen. Applications are a great tool. Those that offer many activities, encourage speaking, sound recognition and whose instructions are in English should be preferred.

• Pilipop English combines all these features. To work on oral skills, children have to pronounce words correctly to earn points and advance in the game. Children can learn to count, identify clothes, colors and fruits and vegetables. Their motivation will be rewarded!
• Timmy's First English Words (3-6 years) and Timmy's Learning New Skills (3-6 years) are also top-quality applications created by the British English Council.

Hosting a babysitter (English speaking)

A new offer to learn English has been developing rapidly for a few years: English-speaking nannies. Some organisations offer the services of bilingual baby-sitters from the age of 9 months! The idea is simple: to accompany your child in learning English, in a familiar and caring environment and without having to learn French.

Doing activities (weekly)

Mini-schools are designed to introduce children to English from the age of three, in mini-groups. They generally run for one hour a week on Wednesdays. Their advantages are that they are affordable, in Paris and the Paris region, and offer a collective environment for children. Elle magazine has listed a number of proposals in this article.

Find out more about the activities offered by école m

And go on a language trip (later)

These stays offer a fantastic opportunity for total immersion in an English-speaking country, with English-speaking guides. From the age of 8-9 and right up to adulthood, this is a great option to keep for later.

Don't hesitate to give us other ideas, we have certainly forgotten some.

It's up to you now, let's go!

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