6 Tips to teach pre-schooler children English as a second language

6 Tips to teach pre-schooler children English as a second language

Teaching your children English as a second language can help create a wealth of opportunities for them in the future. The key to your child mastering a second language is to teach them at the same time as they are learning the first one! Experts argue that a child’s ability to learn new languages diminishes as they get older, so the sooner you start the better. But how can you start teaching a foreign language to your pre-schooler kid?

With pre-schoolers it is all about engaging your child and making learning fun, children learn better when they are enjoying themselves. Here are a few ideas for you to try:

1. Playing English nursery rhymes

Play nursery rhymes in the background while your child is carrying out other activities at home or while they are in the car. Just by hearing these rhymes, they will naturally gain an ear for the structure of the English language. After a while, you will find your child will be bopping along singing the words to you.

2. Read books together

Reading very simple bilingual books together can be fun for your child and helps them expand their vocabulary and awareness of different cultures. There are lots of lovely books to choose from.

3. Encourage your child to be the teacher

Young children love pretending to be teachers, who are in charge of a class. One of the best ways for a child to truly learn something is to teach it back to someone else. Ask your little ones to give you and their toys a lesson based on words they have learned.

4. Creating a journal together

Create journals of the new language your child is learning, the more fun and colourful the better. This will help them absorb and remember the language by seeing the pictures and recognising the words they have been taught.

5. Label things around the house

Put fun labels on objects around the house to practice identifying words. Regular repetition of words helps little ones remember them and sticking them on the corresponding objects can help jog their memory. They can also enjoy a game of hide and seek finding new labels around the house.

6. Use free language resources

Research online for websites that have online language books, games and activities. You can also use screen time to your advantage, by allowing your child to watch their favourite cartoon or TV program in English.

If you need any support in teaching your child English, then feel free to contact us. Learning a language is not always easy and does not happen overnight, but teaching your child English is a gift that can last them a lifetime.

Written by: Lisa Butterworth 

Book your child's English lessons with Lisa here