Five Ways to Support Your Child’s English Learning at Home
For parents who are seeking to support their child’s English learning at home, it can be a challenge to know where to start. However, with a few simple strategies and a commitment to making English a part of your child’s daily routine, you can help your child improve their English skills and develop a love for the language !
1- Reading
Reading is a really powerful way to encourage English learning. In particular, reading illustrated stories allows children to engage more fully — the visual cues providing a support to the narrative, helping children understand what’s being read. The simplified language, which often employs techniques like repetition, rhyme, and alliteration, helps to develop children’s vocabulary and comprehension in an engaging way.
Our favourite English book writers include Julia Donaldson (of the ‘Gruffalfo’) and Eric Carle (famous for ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’). There are plenty of lovely bookshops that sell English reading books in Paris:
- WHSmith on Rue de Rivoli
- The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore near the Luxembourg Gardens
- The Abbey Bookshop in the 5e arrondissement
2- Cooking
We’re all about hands-on learning at Little British Schools. Centring language learning around children’s interests and dynamic activities is a sure-fire way to get them immersed in the language. The BBC Good Food Website is home to a number of child-friendly recipes, many of which include traditional British dishes! Through cooking together, everyone will learn lots of new vocabulary, practice verb tenses, and a bit of information about British culture — all whilst having lots of fun.
Some great traditional British recipes include their classic Victoria Sponge Cake, and Scotch Pancakes.
3- Listening to english podcasts
Listening to podcasts in English is an effective way to improve language skills for several reasons. They provide an immersive experience, allowing children to hear the language being used in real-life scenarios and, given that they cover a wide range of topics, podcasts also expose children to lots of new vocabulary. By listening to native English speakers, learners can develop their ear for the rhythm, and for intonation patterns of the language.
They are also accessible anywhere and anytime, making it easy to fit language learning into a busy schedule. Some of our favourite podcasts in English that are perfect for children are:
4- Games
Games are a fantastic way for children to learn English because they provide a fun and engaging environment for language acquisition. Games naturally motivate children to participate and practise using the language, while allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them without feeling judged. Additionally, games often involve a variety of learning activities, such as listening, speaking, reading and writing, helping to develop different language skills simultaneously. The best games to play at home are ones that are designed to be interactive, making it easy for children to track their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment. Scavenger hunts, Pictionary, and Scrabble are just a few ideas!
5- Singing
Most of our classes at Little British Schools include singing — they are a fun and engaging way for children to learn and practise English. Songs help to build vocabulary, and they also help with pronunciation and memory improvement. Singing is also great for confidence-building! Once children are comfortable with songs, it’s likely that they will feel more confident speaking and using English in other contexts too.
