3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Learn English

Is your child struggling with the English language? There are several reasons why this could be the case. For example, conditions such as autism and Down syndrome can affect how kids process language. If your child has one of these conditions, they may have difficulty reading, writing, and speaking. Or if English is your child’s second language, your child may experience difficulties learning entirely new grammar and syntax rules. And of course, every child has strengths and weaknesses. It could just be that English isn’t your child’s forte, and that’s OK.

Still, as a parent, you want your child to do well and succeed. The good news is that young kids are very adaptable and learn quickly in the right environments. Here are three ways you can help your child learn English.

Focus on Vocabulary First

Though grammar is important, it shouldn’t be your primary focus. Rather, you should focus on teaching your child vocabulary first.

Let’s say your child sees a pretty princess mansion or a giant monster truck at a toy store, and they really, really want it. To communicate this information to you, they need to know how to describe the item in question. If they don’t know the words “mansion” or “truck,” that’s a difficult task! But if they have that vocab, they can communicate effectively, even if it isn’t in the most flawless way. For example, “I want truck” isn’t grammatically correct, but it does get the point across.

Use Their Hobbies to Your Advantage

Textbooks aren’t the only medium through which your child can learn English. The next way you can help your child learn English is by using their hobbies to your advantage.

Does your child love to play video games? Many video games contain English text, and some even contain English voice acting. Therefore, they’re great for introducing your child to new vocabulary and teaching them how to have smooth-flowing conversations.

Or if your child likes music, you can teach them English through songs. Lyrics can show your child how to use the language creatively. There are also educational songs—such as the “36 Prepositions Song” and “Am Is Are Was Were”—that explain complex concepts in simple and memorable ways.

Hire a Tutor

If your child is having a hard time with English, it could be a sign they could benefit from an English tutor. School curriculums cover a lot of content, and there’s often not enough time to go into concepts in-depth. A tutor can help round out any gaps in this curriculum and assist your child with their problem areas. Furthermore, a tutor will provide their own perspective on the subject, and this fresh perspective can help your child view concepts in a new light.