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How to help your child learn English?
English is an (almost) universal passport today to discover the world and communicate: whether to travel, study, watch movies in VO or later work, Shakespeare's language becomes almost indispensable. And to learn it easily, you have to start as soon as possible, but you also have to know how to do it.
At home or abroad, online or on a trip, here is an overview of the possibilities we have identified at the M school. It is up to you to choose according to your child's age and of course the budget and time available.
Play in English (without moderation)
What better way to learn English than by playing? Even if you are not perfectly bilingual, there are many games (of which you certainly know the French equivalent) that can be played with your children. Here are four examples, fully detailed on the Ribambel family activities site.
James says (as "Jacques said"): Very good game to learn action verbs. The rules are the same as for James said. First, enunciate ten actions by mimicking them so that they can understand what each verb corresponds to in English. Then have fun!
Crossword puzzle: On a sheet of paper, place words so that you can create crosswords. On a second sheet, make the same empty grid by assigning a number to each word location. Give a definition to each number, make two teams and the first team to find wins the game.
Imitator (mime): Write in French and English on fifteen pieces of paper of trades (teacher / mistress), objects (book / book), etc.; place the pieces of paper in a hat, form two teams, one of the members must find the word through the mime of his teammate.
What do you see? (What do you see?): place several objects on a table; before you start, give your children the English name of each object. Then ask them what they see.
Listening to music (and singing)
It is well known that music has benefits on mood and health. It promotes learning and also develops cognitive skills. There are many nursery rhymes to learn English. Some of them combine gestures with speech and are carried out by Anglophones. They are to be preferred. Indeed, at this age, the child is a sponge and acts by mimicry, as Claude Hagège explains in his book L'enfant aux deux langues: "It is between 3-4 years old that the ability to learn languages is maximum. This is where the ability to mimic, on which most language learning is based, is at its peak."
The Educational Tips site lists about ten nursery rhymes, including "Row your boat" which is the equivalent of "Boat on the Water". Their advice indicates how to learn them and insists on one point: no translation, only gestures!
Visit websites
While there are countless English-language media on the Internet, one trick is to focus on reference sites. This may include, but is not limited to:
The British Council offers many tools for learning English for children. These sites are welcoming, colourful, intuitive and fun. The child, while having fun, learns without realizing it.
National Geographic has developed a "kids" version: it includes educational videos (for example: "a dolphin is not a fish" "a dolphin is not a fish") or quizzes to learn vocabulary ("Ice cream flavor" "parfum des glaces"). It is also possible to subscribe to their magazine and share these discoveries with the children.
Use (recognized) applications
The child's support in learning English can also be done on a small screen. Applications are a great tool. Those that offer many activities, encourage speaking, sound recognition and instructions in English are preferred.
Pilipop English combines these characteristics. To work on the oral language, children must pronounce the words correctly to earn points and progress in the game. This way, the child will be able to learn to count, identify clothes, colours or fruits and vegetables. His motivation will be rewarded!
Timmy's First English Words (3-6 years old) and Timmy's Learning New Skills (3-6 years old) are applications created by the British English Council which are also very qualitative.
Host a babysitter (English-speaking)
A new offer to learn English has been developing rapidly in recent years: English-speaking nannies. Organizations offer bilingual babysitters 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 going through French.
Do activities (weekly)
The aim of the mini-schools is to introduce children to English from the age of three and in small groups. Their format is usually one hour per week on Wednesdays. Their advantages are that they are affordable, in Paris and the Paris region, and offer a collective framework for children. Elle magazine has listed some of the proposals in this article.
And go on a language stay (later)
These stays are a great opportunity for total immersion in an English-speaking country, with English-speaking guides. From 8-9 years old until adulthood, this option will therefore be kept for later.
Feel free to give us more ideas, we have certainly forgotten some.
It's up to you now, let's go!