This is a collaborative post
Learning a new language is great for travel purposes of course, and adds skills to a CV. However, it can be difficult for children. There’s not only vocabulary to memorise but language rules to use correctly. To learn how you can help make the process easier for your child, below are some tips from an independent school in London.
Someone Who Speaks the Language
Having someone to talk to in the language they are learning can give children the chance to receive feedback and improve. Whether that’s you or a tutor, it can be highly beneficial as they will be able to learn correctly and not waste their time.
Speak In Your Language
Going back to the above, if you speak a language other than English, you have the advantage of being able to teach your child yourself. By dropping in a few words and phrases, they will slowly grow their speaking skills and develop a level of proficiency in the language.
A Trip Abroad
If you fancy a trip abroad, a holiday can be an excellent way for children to test their knowledge and improve on their skills. However, you shouldn’t pressure your child to learn for their holiday as learning a new language is a big task and can be overwhelming. Instead, perhaps encourage them to learn a few common phrases that they will need on their travels.
Foreign Music
Music is repetitive and catchy which is why we pick up on songs so easily. It can also be used for educational purposes. For MFL (modern foreign languages), foreign music can help children learn and remember new words.
Practise Little and Often
Revisiting topics is key for memorisation, so repeating what they’ve learned can help children to improve their MFL. Little and often works best as beyond an hour or so, it gets difficult for children to remember what they have learned.
Create Word Games
Things like written worksheets and looking over a dictionary likely won’t work. Children need interactive games as they have shorter attention spans, so make learning fun by creating word games. Using pieces of paper, write down the words for your child to learn and the English on the reverse. As you can imagine, learning a new language can be a slow process which is why it’s important to be patient and encourage your child to stay consistent in their efforts despite this. As highlighted earlier, the best approach is to practice little and often as children are more likely to memorise what they’ve learned and make progress.