Psychologists have proven that learning foreign languages is much easier for children than for adults. Some experts believe that the most successful age is from 4 to 8 years old, others are sure that from 1.5 to 7. Be that as it may, many parents think about how to teach their child English - one of the most common languages in the world.
The choice of teaching methods depends on the age of your child, on whether you (or someone in your family) knows enough English to speak it, and on how much time and effort you are willing to spend on classes.
What to choose: classes at home or in a group?
Many teachers agree that communicating in English is the ideal way to teach a child the language. For example, my mother constantly speaks English at home, and my father speaks Russian. The only condition is that until the child is four years old, do not change roles, otherwise you will confuse him. This is truly one of the most effective ways, if you do not speak English enough to be able to talk to your child at least about everyday topics - take English courses. The effort spent will pay off handsomely. As a result, a bilingual child (biling) will grow up who will be equally fluent in both languages, will be able to communicate in either language and easily switch between them.
If no one at home speaks the language, then you can hire a nanny or tutor who will communicate with the child exclusively in English. If we are talking about a child over four years old, then it is better to find a tutor who has lived for some time in an English-speaking country.
You can also prepare small activities yourself and conduct them regularly for your child. This method has a drawback: your son or daughter perceives you as a parent, a family member, and may simply refuse to study. Coping with this obstacle can be difficult; you need to prepare for lessons very carefully, find or invent games that will delight the child and will not get boring for a long time. Forcing a child will not work, and if it does, you may discourage any desire to study.
The third option is to take your child to a group. The effectiveness of this method depends almost entirely on the teacher. Moreover, it does not matter whether he graduated from a pedagogical university. His knowledge of English may be limited to the “children's program” - the main thing is that he loves children and knows how to interest them.
Whatever option you choose to educate your child (except for creating a language environment), classes should not last more than three hours a week.
Principles of teaching a child English
There are three principles that will help you achieve good results when learning English with your child:
1. Consistency.
Do not rush to teach your child the intricacies of grammar and spelling if you have even the slightest doubt that he is ready for this. If you don't use any teaching aids and create a program yourself, you should pay special attention to presenting the material sequentially. Although practice shows that it is still better to use good textbooks- a plan drawn up by a professional philologist will be more effective.
2. Naturalness.
Many parents are sure that there is no need to start classes with a child under five years old, they should wait until he goes to school, otherwise these lessons “take away the child’s childhood.” In fact, if classes are organized correctly, they will proceed naturally - and the child will not feel any learning pressure.
3. Persistence.
Perhaps not everything will go as smoothly as you would like. If your child doesn’t like a certain technique, put off the lessons for a while, and then try to interest him in the language in a different way.
Teaching methods for children
When choosing a method of learning English, pay attention to what age it is intended for.
1. Game technique Both children and teachers like it, it is interesting and effective. The idea is simple: the teacher conducts games during which children improve their language skills.
Advantages of the technique: it is adaptable for any age (from one year), with its help you can develop how oral speech, as well as knowledge of grammar, spelling, etc.
2. Zaitsev's technique Suitable for children from three years old. Recently it was adapted for learning English - you can now see English letters on the famous Zaitsev cubes.
3. Methodology Glen Doman designed for babies: they are designed for the child’s visual memory, so that pictures and words written on them will be remembered and will simplify learning to read and write in the future. These cards can be made yourself: Glen Doman gave clear recommendations in his books. You can use the cards not only with infants, but also with children up to middle age. school age.
4. Project methodology Suitable for children aged 4-5 years. The teacher chooses a topic and devotes a series of lessons to it. He offers different types of activities, with the help of which the children learn something interesting about the topic of the project, gives tasks for independent work(or with parents, depending on age). For the final lesson, children bring creative, large-scale works for their age on a given topic.
5. Mixed methodology- in it you, at your own discretion, combine other methods, play games with your child, learn songs, develop projects, etc. The main advantage of the technique is diversity. It will be easier for you to interest your baby; he will never know in advance what you will do today.
When should you start teaching your child a language?
If you decide to take your child’s education seriously and have agreed with your other half to speak two languages at home (or hire a nanny for this), you can start today. There are no age restrictions.
Have you decided to take your child to a group or study at home? Start no earlier than 4-5 years. By the time classes begin, the child should have developed a linguistic picture of his native language, he should have a sufficient vocabulary. If you start explaining to a child that “house” means “house”, and he does not know what “house” is, the effectiveness of the lesson will be zero.
Good luck to you and your children!
We, adults, learn English for a long time and painfully. We are looking for a suitable method, trying to wrap our heads around the rules of a different linguistic system, “re-educating” our articulatory apparatus for other sounds.
It is much easier for a child to learn English from scratch: children literally absorb it! Those grammatical structures that we diligently learn are instantly “absorbed” by them. Without analysis, which we are not yet capable of, but just like that.
The child can speak both two and three languages. The main thing is to constantly work with him. Therefore, dear adults (current and future parents), we are preparing to raise English-speaking children! And we will help you with this.
So, on the agenda (table of contents of the article):
How to start learning English with your child on your own: the “immersion” technique
Recently, our entire country was conquered by a baby named Bella Devyatkina. This girl, at just 4 years old, speaks 7 (in addition to her native) languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Arabic.
In fact, a child can master more languages, because, as Masaru Ibuka wrote in the acclaimed book “After Three It’s Too Late”:
“...a child’s brain can accommodate an unlimited amount of information...”
So, if in a family the mother is Russian, the father is English-speaking, and the nanny, say, is German, then the child will speak all three languages without any difficulties. And there will be no “mixing” of languages (as many skeptics say). Just the mother will be with the baby for “A Christmas tree was born in the forest”, and dad for ABC songs. 🙂
But Bella's parents are Russian! How then is this possible? It turns out that she Since childhood, her mother spoke only English to her(that is, the conditions for bilingualism were created artificially). After her parents noticed her interest in languages, they hired native-speaking tutors for her - and so the child turned out to be a polyglot.
And this example is far from alone. Masaru Ibuka in his work also talks about such bilingual children (by the way, read this book - it is amazing).
If you speak English perfectly and you feel confident enough to speak only it, then no theory and articles like “where to start learning English with a child from scratch” won't be needed. Just speak to your baby in English. That's it.
Please note: in this case, you will not be able to speak Russian with your preschooler. Other family members speak Russian to him, but you ONLY speak English.
But What should parents do who are not so confident in their English? Indeed, in this case, training using the “immersion in a language environment” method will be impossible (unless you hire a native speaker as a nanny). We will answer this question in the article.
At what age should you start learning English with your child?
A whole discussion has arisen between teachers regarding this issue: when is the best time to start, is it worth learning English with kids or not? Our answer is yes, it is worth it. But the main thing is to wait until the child completes the process of forming his native language. That is, he will have clear sound pronunciation and properly developed coherent speech. Since each child develops differently, it is impossible to give any exact time frame. But minimum ≈ from 2.5 years(not before).
How to learn English with a child on your own - where to start?
Best send your child to a special language nursery, if possible. Then you won’t have to take on such serious responsibility, and besides, the child will have that same “separation of languages” in his mind (Russian at home, English in the nursery). And you yourself can support your child’s interest and progress with games, cartoons, songs, etc.
If you still want to learn English with your child on your own, then you can motivate him with an “English doll”. Buy a doll (you can use a glove doll) and introduce her to the baby, saying that she doesn’t understand anything in Russian. In order to communicate with the “English woman,” he will have to learn a new, but very interesting language. Well, then you play with this doll, watch cartoons, learn songs and poems... all this will be discussed below.
For example, characters from Sesame Street are perfect as a doll.
What language skills can be developed in preschoolers?
Of course, no grammar, spelling, etc. child in preschool age Maybe:
- perceive speech by ear,
- speak for yourself
- read (together with the parent, and then study/look at the book on his own if he is interested in it).
That is the child will master all the same skills English as well as Russian at this age.
By the way, you don’t have to worry too much about “speaking” and correct pronunciation of English sounds. It is we, adults, who are rebuilding our articulatory apparatus after the Russian sounds that are familiar to us. A The child will learn the correct pronunciation much sooner.
To develop this skill It's best to sing songs and learn Nursery Rhymes behind an English-speaking announcer: children's “monkeyism” and unique children's hearing will do their job. If there are still any shortcomings, then simply correct the baby, but without any complicated explanations.
We invite you to figure out English sounds yourself. Read the articles:
How to teach English with children from the very beginning: 5 concrete ways
1. Watch cartoons in English with your child. Do you think he won't understand? You are wrong :) Children at this age have incredible linguistic intuition. They may not understand the words, but the emotions in the voices of the characters and on their painted “faces” will help them, the music will help them, etc. You will be surprised, but after watching a cartoon, he may begin to repeat words from it and hum songs.
Also use special Russian-language cartoons to learn the language.
2. “Learn” English words and phrases with him(the first word is in quotation marks for a reason). These are not lessons or training sessions. This is your daily communication with your child, during which you speak English vocabulary to him.
- Mom, look - a car!
- Yes, it really is a machine. Do you know how it would be in English? Car! This is a car.
Main rules:
- Words need to be used in the context of the situation: during lunch we talk about food, while walking around the zoo we talk about animals, etc.
- Accordingly, we master only those words that are related to the child’s current life: family, colors, clothes, animals, fruits, etc.
- Any word must immediately be visually reinforced: for the word “dog” – this is a toy, a picture/photo or a shaggy and barking dog next to you :)
This visual image will help you learn new words with ease.
One more thing: so that the child immediately “masters” English grammar(again in quotes) tell him whole phrases. After all, if you tell him individual words, he will repeat the words, and if you tell him whole sentences, he will begin to use sentences.
- Dog!
– This is a dog!
Also, to master new words, you can use various games, handouts (coloring books, assignments, etc.), while working with which the child will get great pleasure!
3. Learn children's songs and rhymes with him. You can find them on the sites below (or search in Yandex and Google). It is best to present the poem itself to the child in the form of a small “dramatization”, because many poems have a certain plot behind them and are easily acted out (live or on dolls).
The kid may ask you to translate the verse into Russian - you translate it, and then again act out the “performance” in front of him. The main rule: DO NOT ask your child to repeat after you. Yours the task is to interest him in this incomprehensible language. Many children can at first just listen and listen and listen, and then suddenly begin to “scramble” these poems by heart :)
For example, the song “Old Macdonald had a farm” has been played out in many different cartoons. Lyrics available .
Stages of working on a poem:
- First, you yourself study the content of a poem or song, practice your pronunciation (sounds in words, intonation, rhythm).
- Then you practice reading it expressively and think of a visual support for the child: a performance with toys, some kind of dance... in general, turn on your imagination!
- Now you can present your work to your child’s judgment. After this, discuss the performance with your child: what he understood, what moment he liked the most.
- Then invite your child to “join” your production and prepare a joint performance for other family members. But for this, the child will have to learn this rhyme (this will create motivation).
- You can also find (or invent) a finger or sign game based on this rhyme. Then you can periodically invite your child to play it in any suitable situations (of course, if he wants to).
4. Read books in English with your child. You can start when he already knows individual words. Simple stories will be quite understandable to children, and pictures will explain the incomprehensible.
If a book really interests him, he will take it on his own and look at it, study it (this will create motivation to learn to read). In addition, the child will “photograph” words with his eyes and remember them appearance. It turns out, your task is to interest him in reading.
Systematic learning to read begins only at 4-5 years old according to the principle from simple to complex:
An amazing website will help you teach your child to readwww.starfall.com . For example, go to this section and learn with your child to read words with the short sound / a / (æ). Each sound is pronounced in a cheerful child's voice and is accompanied by explanatory animation. Just a find!
Where can you find books to read in English:
And remember that still e-book can't compare to the real thing, which you can touch and then leaf through with enthusiasm. So be sure to buy some colorful ones. English books to your library!
5. Play fun games with your baby! And he won’t even notice that during this game you are teaching him something. When the child is very young, organize joint games. For a grown-up “student,” you can offer online games for learning English. Below you will find a list of both.
Learning English words for children - games
The classic way to learn new vocabulary is vocabulary cards(that is, word + translation + picture). By the way, there is a whole one on our blog.
Examples of vocabulary cards from Lingualeo. Full list located .
But it will be even better if you create them together with your baby. Together you will select pictures, glue them to pieces of paper or cardboard, etc. Then, already during preparation for the “English language games”, the child will learn something. What to do next with the cards? Here are some options:
1. Cards can be used to play pantomime. First you tell the baby English word(and show it on the card), and the child must depict this word with gestures. Then you can play “reverse” pantomime - the child (or you) depicts the animal, action, object that he pulled out, and the rest of the participants guess.
2. Game “Show me”. Place several cards in front of the child, and then call out one word from this list - the child must touch the desired card.
3. “Yes-No game.” You show the cards and say the words correctly or incorrectly (when showing a hippopotamus, say “tiger”). The child answers “Yes” or “No”.
– Is it a tiger? – No!!!
4. Game “What’s missing”. Lay out a row of cards (4-5 pieces). Look at them with your baby and say the words. The child closes his eyes, and you remove one word. Tell me what's missing?
5. Game “Jump to...”. You lay out the cards on the floor in a vertical row and give the child the task of jumping to a certain word (great if the baby is bored).
These are just a few mechanics using cards. By turning on your imagination, you can come up with even more variations of games. And we will move on. What other games can I use?
5. Game “Is it. ...?”. You gradually draw an object, and the child tries to guess it. For example, draw half a circle, and the child guesses:
– Is it a ball? Is it the Sun?
– No, (continue drawing)
– Is it an apple?
– Yes!🙂
6. Another version of the game “Is it. ...?” - a card with a hole. Cut a hole in a piece of fabric (or a sheet of paper) and place it on a vocabulary card. Move the hole around the picture, and the child guesses what is hidden there.
7. Magic bag. You put different objects in a bag, and the baby takes them out and names them. An even more interesting option: he puts his hand into the bag and guesses the contents by touch.
8. Game “Touch your…nose, leg, hand…” (generally parts of the body).
“Touch your mouth,” you say, and the baby touches his mouth.
9. Games will help children learn English colors easily. For example, you give him objects of different colors and ask him to find and select things of a certain color from them (by the way, the same task can concern words starting with a certain letter, etc.).
10. Another example of playing with colors– “Find something.... in the room.”
“Find something red in the room!” - and the child looks for something of the specified color.
11. How to learn verbs. Perform some action with your baby and talk through what exactly you are doing:
- “Fly! We are flying,” and pretend that you are flying.
– “Let's sing! We are singing!” – and hold an imaginary microphone in your hands.
– “Jump! Jump!” - and you happily jump around the room.
Don't forget about role playing games. For example, play “shop”. The child’s task is to buy groceries from an English-speaking saleswoman (that’s you). Before this, you remember words and phrases that will be useful to him in the store, and after that the child acts out this situation. This game can be played under any imaginary conditions.
And definitely act out plays, fairy tales etc. For example, invite your child to make a video or film! The girls will definitely be delighted. 🙂
Useful sites. Learning English from scratch for children: games, alphabet, videos, printable materials
When your child is older, you can invite him to play online games. Particularly when you need some free time to do things around the house.
1. Online games for children: learn the English alphabet and words
www.vocabulary.co.il
This site was already mentioned above when talking about the game “Hangman”. It has a huge number of online word games. For example, Whack a mole helps you repeat the alphabet in a fun way: you need to hit the letters with a hammer and collect the correct sequence of the alphabet.
We aim and hit the desired letter with a hammer
Or the game Word paths, where children must assemble words from available letters with a certain vowel sound. As you can see, the games are designed for different ages, which means the site will help your children for many years.
www.eslgamesplus.com
Another great site with online games for kids. For example, this game, where hidden behind the emoticons:
- verb,
- picture for this verb.
The task is to combine. With each attempt, the words are spoken out. Playing is a pleasure.
Game Pirate Waters Board Game also deserves special attention. First, choose a topic that the child already knows (for example, body parts). Then you throw the dice (to do this you need to click on the image of the cube) and walk along the board. You are asked a question, and you choose an answer. If it is given correctly, you roll the dice again.
If you encounter a pirate, start over. In this case the child will repeat the correct construction several times while the game is running. The only drawback is that there is no voiceover of the correct answer (which would develop auditory skills). Therefore, advice: for the first time, play with your child in order to:
- help him understand the conditions of the game (then you won’t be able to drag him away by the ears),
- teach him to pronounce the correct answer on his own every time (so that the constructions are deposited in memory).
www.mes-english.com
This site also has printables (+ opportunity to make your own worksheets), and videos and games. Let's focus on games. For example, there is a great online vocabulary game. First, go to the Vocabulary column and listen and memorize the words. Then we go to the Question and answer section and listen to the question and answer:
– What’s this?
– It’s a Lion!
And then to the Question only column, where you and your baby need to answer.
supersimplelearning.com
This site also has cartoons, songs and games. For example, interactive alphabet games, which are suitable for beginners. Select a set of letters and a level (first Level 1).
Next, click on a letter (for example, “a”) and listen to the pronunciation of this letter (or rather, the sound, of course, but kids don’t need to know such difficulties) and the word starting with it. All this action is accompanied by a funny picture. 
The voice acting and animation of the game are simply excellent!
At the next level you are asked to choose a letter based on the word you hear. At the third level - only by sound.
learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org
Another super useful site (it’s not surprising - it’s the British Council). For example, word games, where you need to match a word and a picture. Or Trolley Dash game, where you need to quickly buy all the products on your shopping list (tested: very exciting!)
www.englishexercises.org
A large number of tasks (online and for downloading). For example, you need watch the video and fill in the blanks in the right words (for older children).
Habitual memorization while sitting at the table will discourage the child from studying. Offer him alternative options for learning the language:
- while walking or exercising;
- in an unusual environment (for example, in a cafe);
- learn new words by singing or drawing them;
- come up with associations to complex rules and exceptions;
- find new interesting options for studying the material, based on which method of obtaining information is most comfortable for the child (visual, auditory).
Combine English and your child's hobbies
Let learning a new language become part of what the child already loves, understands and, most importantly, accepts! If this is handicraft, find out what all the necessary devices for it are called in English; if it is a child, read how this type developed in other countries (in English, of course). In this way, you will be able to do a very big thing - remove the student’s rejection of the new and unusual (and therefore frightening).
Criticize using the " sandwich"
This method is often used by managers and marketers in their work. The idea is that you praise your child first, then tell him where he went wrong, and end on a positive note. Then criticism will be like a filling between two layers of approval, and the child (especially if we are talking about teenagers) will not have the desire to argue with you and defend yourself.
“You started writing English very carefully! True, I made five mistakes in spelling... But in the rest of the words everything is fine!”
Let your child become his own teacher
No matter how sad it is to state, but one parent in a thousand is able to convey knowledge to a child. It's another matter if you let your child teach you.
For example, you secretly admit to him that you don’t understand in which case you should use the present tense and in which case you should use the present continuous, and ask your daughter or son to explain to you what the difference is. First, to explain something to someone - best way independently understand a complex topic. Secondly, such an approach will allow the child to try himself in a new adult role. This will certainly be a pleasant experience for him and will allow him to consolidate a stable association: “English - being treated like an adult - success.”
Make English useful now
If you have a daughter, she loves Disney princesses, tell her a terrible secret: the voices of cartoon heroines in Russian dubbing are not at all as good as in the original! Especially the little mermaid Ariel, it’s not for nothing that the prince was so immediately captivated by her voice. And after that, invite your daughter to watch your favorite cartoon with you in the original or, at worst, in a one-voice translation by Alexei Mikhalev, in which the songs are not duplicated.
If you have a son, and he, for example, is interested in computer games, invite him to play not the adapted Russian, but the English version of his favorite game. Agree that in this case the time he spends at the computer can be increased by half an hour.
Expand his vocabulary with gaming apps
Install on your child's phone, which will help you learn new words in English at a time convenient for the student.
These could be:
- AnkiDroid
- Memrise
- Lingualeo
- Aword
- Remember
- Easy Ten
Teach him not to be afraid to make mistakes
The main reason why most residents of Russia do not speak English - developed over school years habit of being afraid of making mistakes in speech.
Therefore, when traveling abroad, try to partially shift the responsibility for communicating with representatives of another country onto him. You can say in a cafe: “I’m embarrassed to ask what kind of dessert this is, can you find out for me?” Or, while shopping abroad, your child liked this or that toy, tell your son or daughter that you will be happy to give money for it, but the child must ask the price from the seller on his own.
What techniques do you use to motivate your child to learn a foreign language? Tell us in the comments.
Modern parents, who care about the bright future of their children, are increasingly faced with the following question: when, how and where to start learning English with their child?
And not without reason, because knowledge of a foreign language, especially English, makes dreams of such a future closer.
English language: when to start?
You can start learning a language at any age, but the most favorable period is the age from 1.5 to 9-10 years. In this fairly wide time period, the child’s involuntary memory is best developed. He is able to remember everything “on the spot,” as they say, on an intuitive level, without making much effort.
There are methods that allow you to start learning from the cradle, even when the baby does not speak his native language. It has been proven that any early learning of foreign languages bears fruit. Psychologists believe that such a child is truly ahead of his peers in his mental development. But not in an emotional way, so in your desire to raise a genius, do not forget that every child needs a carefree and joyful childhood, and he needs live communication and a smile more than a perfect knowledge of the English alphabet at 2 years old.
Children's language abilities
Does the child have the ability to learn languages? Will time and effort be wasted? Imagine: the baby is already drawing a little with pencils. Will he be able to paint with a brush and paints? Naturally! After all, he is already drawing. So it is with language. The baby is already beginning to communicate in his native language, which means he has a talent for languages! Of course, for perfect mastery of foreign speech, specific talents are required, as in any other fields of science and art. But if we are talking about learning a language to expand their general horizons in order to have a strong foundation for the further development of language skills and abilities, any child can do this.
What skills should a child have to start learning English?
To learn foreign languages, every child must be able to listen, see, repeat (at least in his own way), draw, run, crawl, jump, etc. A foreign language with small children is always a game. And any child can play. Important: he must know in his native language what he has to learn in English! You should not learn colors in English if your child does not understand them yet.
How and where to study English
You can study a language at home, with your parents, or in a children's studio, or invite a nanny-tutor who speaks a foreign language. It makes sense to send a child to a children's studio if he is 4-5 years old or older. At this age, learning in a team will be beneficial. Young children under 3 years old, as a rule, have not yet acquired the skills of playing together or fully communicating with peers, so it is better to study with them at home.
If at least one of the parents has a conversational level of language proficiency, the best option would be to communicate with the baby from birth in two languages. For example, an English-speaking father and a Russian-speaking mother. Growing up in a linguistic environment, a child quickly acquires communication skills in a foreign language. In this case, both languages will be native to the baby.
Do mom and dad only remember a couple of words and phrases from the school English course, or have they studied another language before? Not scary. There are textbooks for kids and their parents with detailed methodological tips and pronunciation instructions. There are many Internet sites where you can download audio recordings in English and texts for them absolutely free. And parents are given a wonderful opportunity to learn English themselves and teach their child.
English from scratch for children: where to start?
It makes no sense for young children to start learning a language from the alphabet. Especially if they have not yet mastered the technique of reading in their native language. The main goal of parents should be: to instill in their child an interest and love for a foreign language, and then expect great results.
Based on this goal, you need to start with what arouses the baby’s interest. The theme “Animals”, “Toys”, “Household Items” will be a great start. It is convenient to use visual aids - cards for teaching children a language. You can buy them or make them yourself in accordance with the child’s level of knowledge and interests.
It’s not a bad idea to look at books, even if they’re in Russian. The main thing is to name what is shown in the pictures in English. In addition to nouns denoting objects and animals, you need to teach the child during normal communication the most common verbs and verb phrases, such as give me, take, come to me, look at, etc. Cartoons, songs, poems in English will develop the child’s linguistic hearing .
Training should be unobtrusive and the child should like it. The duration of classes is from 5 to 15 minutes. How younger child, the shorter the lesson. It is important to finish your “lesson” before the baby gets tired and starts to get distracted, so that he wants to return to this type of activity again.
How to teach a child to think in English
There are different methods and different approaches to teaching children foreign languages. Some classical methods have a strong theoretical basis. It is described in detail in scientific works, pedagogical monographs and works. In its pure form, the step-by-step learning of English “from words to grammar” was used in Soviet schools. Most private English courses for children and tutors adhere to exactly this methodology. In practice, all this theoretical baggage turns out to be not very effective.
English for children, especially the little ones, should be fun! It should not become a subject of study and cramming, but a full-fledged means of communication. What method has proven to be so effective that just 3-6 months after the start, the guys not only speak fluently in a foreign language, but also think in it?
An innovative method for Russia in teaching English to children is the communicative approach. In essence, it is practical communication with a native speaker or teacher who is fluent in English. The main focus is on speaking and listening. The technique is known and successfully used in the West. In Russia, the pioneer (and monopolist) of innovative technology was the network of Children's Language Centers "Polyglotiki", which has existed since 2006. This unique author’s technique was first used by the founder of the Polyglotics centers in the cultural capital of St. Petersburg and was a stunning success. Today "Polyglotiki" is an international network with 60 branches in dozens of different cities in Russia and neighboring countries.
All English language courses for children offered at the Centers for study from 2 to 12 years of age are based on communicative methods with elements of the classical approach. Maximum immersion in a foreign language environment naturally stimulates bilingualism in a child, and not only... After all, he learns both the basics of the language itself and begins to easily understand mathematics, natural sciences, literature and creative tasks in English. This means it is developing comprehensively!
The main goal of Polyglot teachers is to teach a child to perceive language, speak, and then think in it. No mechanical repetitions! Only improvised game tasks in English, creative skits, demonstrations, musical and cartoon shows, colorful cards and posters, gestures, facial expressions and communication with a native speaker. This is how English for children develops not only memory, but also intelligence and logic! And new knowledge contributes to the development of mental abilities and successful further education of children in Russian and foreign schools.
You need to return to English lessons at least 3 times a week so that the acquired knowledge is firmly entrenched. And, of course, this new “English game” for the child should bring him joy and pleasure!
So, you have decided that you will teach your child English language on your own at home. So where to start?
First, find the one that suits you or settle on a few that you would like to try.
Secondly, determine the time and place of classes. The frequency of lessons should be at least 2 times a week, and at the very beginning it is better to study with the child every day for 15-20 minutes.
Third, get everything ready necessary materials. Our website presents 8 categories of free materials in English for children: books, educational books, riddles, and presentations. The choice of certain materials depends primarily on the age of your child. For example, they are intended for children of primary school age. If your baby is still 2-3 years old, then it’s better to do without textbooks for now and try studying with cards.
Fourth, determine the topics and schedule of classes for the coming week. Read our article on how to plan an English lesson with your child. It is better to start with simple topics (Animals, Colors, Numbers, Family), and then switch to more complex ones (Body Parts, Clothing, Food, Weather).
And fifthly, when teaching English to your child on your own, follow the following rules:
1. Maintain consistency; do not try to teach your child everything at once. Go to new topic only when you are confident in mastering the previous one.
2. Repetition is the mother of learning. During class, take time to review the material you learned in previous classes. It is better to do this at the beginning of the lesson.
3. Alternate lessons introducing new material with watching videos, cartoons and presentations on this topic.
4. The younger your child, the more games should be present in your activities.
5. Under no circumstances should you scold a child for the mistakes he makes during his education. After all, this is a completely new language for him, and he will have to get used to it for a long time.
6. During classes, try to speak English, not Russian. Our special one will help you with this. Use some key phrase to switch to English, such as “Now we’ll speak English” or “It’s English time now.”
7. Perhaps not everything will go as smoothly as you would like. If your child doesn’t like a certain technique, postpone the lessons for a while, and then try to interest him in the language in a different way.
