The earlier your child starts to learn a foreign language the easier it will be for them to pick it up. Helping your youngster is easy and you don’t need to be fluent to be able to boost their skills in a second language.
Here’s how you can help and support your child
Give them time to practice
Practice makes perfect so, just as your child would practice a musical instrument, they should practice their language. Make sure you schedule time in during the week to give them a chance to go over it. If possible, get them to recite poems or stories in the language they are learning, even on days they don’t have homework for it.
Have them teach you
The teacher often learns more than the student so get your child to teach you a few phrases and to explain a little of how the grammar works, if they can. As they explain it to you, their understanding for it will develop.
Take them to cultural events
For example, if they are learning french try to find a local festival that is being held in your area or take them to a foreign shop that has the products written in another language. Getting them to connect to the language, hearing other people speak it and using it in everyday situations will greatly help them.
Tools to use
If your child is really struggling, visual and sound aids are a great help. Videos, music and books will help your youngster get used to hearing the words and will help them to pick up the correct pronunciation. Picture books are great to help them associate the word with the image and to develop spelling.
Have a foreign language day at home
Even if you don't speak the languageit is important you encourage your child to use it. You can make a great game out of it by having your child say a word and you try to guess the meaning.
Learning a foreign language can be tough, if your youngster is really strugglin, talk to their teacher. Be patient with them and remember - practice makes perfect.
