Greetings, everyone! Today we will discuss learning English at 5-6 years old. Let's look at the following questions: what is the best way to start learning English with a child, what form of learning is best to use and what is important to pay attention to, how you can learn the language yourself with a child, and we will also consider the importance of age-related characteristics when learning a language. Let's do this!
Today, knowledge of English is a mandatory skill for everyone, both adults and children. If previously children were introduced to a foreign language only at school in the primary grades, now familiarity with ABC begins almost from the age of 1.
Almost everywhere you can find classes with a tutor at home for kids: studios or groups, educational programs, cartoons and songs, various colorful books in English, etc. Great choice, isn't it? Let's figure out what might be right for you.
Where is the best way to start learning English with your child?
We recommend starting to study English no earlier than the child has developed speech in his native language. You should not start learning English at the age of 3 if your child does not know the names of basic colors, vegetables, fruits, and cannot count to 5 in his native language.
If your baby already speaks his native language quite fluently, then you can connect a second one.
It is best to start learning at home. It will be much more pleasant for a child to learn English with his mother or father than with an unfamiliar uncle or aunt. But many parents claim that they do not know English and because of this they cannot help their child learn English.
It's actually very simple. Now there are audio and video courses that are designed to help you learn the language with your child. You can listen to the words together and repeat them. You can easily learn the names of flowers, pets and the simplest rhyme.
There is no need to worry if your English skills leave much to be desired. You will always be the best teacher for your child.
4 ways to teach your child English from scratch
- Watch cartoons in English together.
If your child likes cartoons, then this is a great way to start learning English. And don’t worry that your child won’t understand anything. You will be surprised, but children have well-developed linguistic intuition. They may not know the meaning of the word, but based on the behavior, voice and emotions of the hero they can understand what is happening. After watching the cartoon, your child will definitely be able to sing along to songs from the world of Disney.
- Teach your child new words and phrases.
But don’t turn your classes into school lessons, but introduce new vocabulary in a playful way.
For example, you go for a walk in the park and on the way you see a dog or cat. Your child will pay attention to the animal and tell you about it, and you, in turn, can say that a cat in English will be “cat”. This is a cat! It is better to use simple phrases right away - this way it will be easier for the child to remember the structure than individual words.
And if you don’t know the names of animals in English, then study them first.
Remember that new vocabulary needs to be presented in a certain context: when you are having lunch, talking about food, going to the zoo, there is just an opportunity to learn a couple of new wild animals, you are going out of town, you can introduce your baby to pets, and so on.
- Learn rhymes and songs together.
It's very easy to find them on YouTube. Rhymes and songs can be played out with movements and turn language learning into a little exercise.
First, study the song or poem yourself, because the child may ask you to explain what it is about we're talking about. Then repeat the verse or song with movements along with your child, thereby getting him interested in the unknown language.
Don't ask your baby to repeat the song after you word for word.. Usually children first listen to the same thing for a long time, and then they just repeat everything at once.
- Read books in English with your child.
Start with simple fairy tales, with more pictures than text. Simple or familiar subjects are also a plus.
Systematic learning to read begins only at 4-5 years of age according to the principle from simple to complex.
Start with monosyllabic words of 2-3 letters, maximum 5, without silent “e” and letter combinations “th”, “ch”, “ph”. And it’s even better if the child already knows these words by ear.
If you decide to tell your child about how to read English letters, then Never tell your child all the rules of reading at once.. If you are talking about the letter “a”, then first give the child words where this letter represents the sound [æ] - “cat”, “fat”, “dad”, etc.
Then we go to the following letters: “b”, “c”, “d”, etc., for which we also take only one type of reading. And only on the second round we talk about the next type.
What form of training to use and what to pay attention to
If you are wondering which form of education to choose (group or individual), then take a closer look at your child.
Analyze his inclinations and interests: he likes to spend time playing active games with friends or prefers to spend time drawing or looking at a picture book. Kids who like noisy companies Group lessons are suitable; more modest students will most likely like individual lessons with a tutor.
- Group classes
If you choose group classes, where, in addition to learning English, communication and teamwork skills improve, children learn to cooperate and compete, then you need to pay attention to courses or schools.
When choosing an English course for children, you need to pay attention to how long the school has been in existence and whether it has a special curriculum for children that you could become familiar with.
Also pay attention to where the classes will take place, because English will be best learned in a playful way, so a soft carpet, a place to play, toys and posters, colorful cubes and posters with bright and large game elements (alphabet, numbers), and Also, creative materials are a must.
Another small nuance - in the group there should not be more than 6 people, then the teacher will be able to pay attention to each child.
An excellent advantage will also be the opportunity to attend the first lesson yourself. You will be able to finally decide whether this format of training is suitable for you, and how comfortable your child feels in class.
- Individual lessons
If your child prefers less noisy company, you may want to consider tutoring.
We can offer you English via Skype for children. You won't need to travel to classes or invite someone to your home. You can always follow the learning process and we will select a teacher who can captivate your child in English.
We also draw your attention to the fact that format for teaching English via Skype suitable for children from 6 years and above. We recommend that younger children study English in local schools, since their perception and perseverance are not enough to effectively absorb information via Skype.
Optimal lesson duration for children — 45 minutes, since when learning one-on-one with a tutor, it is difficult for a child to concentrate his attention for more than 20 minutes.
How to learn English with your child on your own
The option of learning English independently with a child will work for those who already have a good grasp of the language.
A child can be motivated by a “foreign doll.” Buy a glove doll and introduce it to the baby, not forgetting to mention that she doesn’t understand anything in Russian. And in order to communicate with the doll, the child will need to learn a new but interesting language. Then you can watch cartoons with this doll, play educational games, learn songs and rhymes.
We share with you simple rules that will help teach your child English:
- Make English a part of your daily life.
Don't limit your language learning to a time frame. Read a poem during lunch, sing a song while taking a bath, watch a cartoon in the morning, before going to kindergarten, read English fairy tale originally for the night. The more your baby hears English spoken, the easier it will be for him to learn the language.
- Inspire your baby.
Show by example that English is a fun and interesting way to spend time. Encourage him even if he doesn't do everything right.
- Don't criticize your child's every mistake.
Mistakes must be corrected extremely carefully, so as not to offend the child in any way. After all, he transfers the assessment of his actions to the assessment of himself as an individual. Your fixation on mistakes can discourage him from any interest in classes. Remember that first of all you evaluate the child’s successes, not his shortcomings.
- Don't forget, What kids get bored easily.
If you see that your child is bored or has lost interest in a task, do not insist on completing it. It’s better to take a break, and then, provided that the child is ready to continue, return to the exercise again.
- Don't forget about age differences.
Graduality. Many parents expect quick and significant results after sending their child to school. But don’t forget that a child’s brain is like a sponge; it must first absorb a sufficient amount of information and only then produce results.
Support and praise. Don’t scold your child if he doesn’t immediately remember the right word or phrase, give him time to remember. Remember that at an early age children should learn to enjoy a foreign language. Praise your child as often as possible.
Conclusion
Under no circumstances should a child be forced to learn English. At first he just hears it, then he listens and observes, and then you present him with training in the form fun game, in which he wants to participate with you.
Well, now you know how to start learning English with children 5-6 years old. Apply this knowledge and your child will be grateful!
Good luck with your kids and your English!
Big and friendly EnglishDom family
Tip No. 1. Personal example
The most effective way is, perhaps, a personal example. Parents who speak languages communicate with the child and among themselves in English, and the child gradually begins to speak a foreign language as if it were his native language. Typically, such children begin to speak a little later, but in two languages at once. They can be considered bilingual, even if their parents’ English is not their native language. It will take some time to figure out what's what. For example, why turning to your grandmother with the words: “Hey, granny, how are you doing?” she is silent and looks at you blankly. Or why the neighbor’s boy, after the phrase: “Give me your car please,” falls into a little confusion. All these problems will go away over time. Languages will be organized in your head and you will understand with whom, when and in what language to communicate, so as not to find yourself in uncomfortable situations.
Tip #2. Kindergarten in English
Unfortunately, the above method is not applicable to everyone. Not every parent speaks the language at such a level to communicate with their child and not feel discomfort. Therefore, one of the most popular ways to teach a child a language is to send him to an English-speaking kindergarten, where experienced native-speaking teachers will communicate with him in a foreign language, thus teaching your son or daughter. The process will also be accelerated by the social environment. One of the children is the first to remember and begin to use the phrase, say, “Let’s play.” or “Do you want me to help you?” and everyone else quickly adapts it to their needs. Children play with each other under the supervision of teachers , using a proven method and mastering a foreign language in the process.
The above method is effective, but, unfortunately, not everyone can afford it. Typically, English-speaking kindergartens are not cheap, and not everyone can afford it. Therefore, the next option for teaching a child a language is English language courses. There the child’s level will be determined, and he will be sent to a group that corresponds to his knowledge. Then, year after year, depending on the financial capabilities of the parents and the abilities of the child, he will learn a foreign language, passing one level after another. With a favorable set of circumstances, the correct selection of methods, teachers and groups, in a few years your child will speak very, very good English.
Tip #4. Trips
Some parents take their children on trips abroad. They try to combine business with pleasure, relax and communicate in a foreign language. In many countries where English is also a foreign language, people speak it very well. Children watch films in the original, English is taught from kindergarten, parents and children often travel to English-speaking countries - all this allows children to quickly master a foreign language. Trips to such countries with the opportunity to interact with representatives of other cultures will certainly “talk” your children. For example, in Thailand, Russian, German and French children communicate well in English, sharing their impressions of their stay in this country.
Tip #5. English speaking nanny
For wealthy and busy parents, there is another option - an English-speaking nanny. She takes upon herself all the cares of raising and educating the child. She communicates with him only in English and monitors the completion of homework in various subjects. She knows how to study herself and teaches this to her students. Basically, such nanny-teachers are well suited for children who are homeschooled. Children study at home and go to school to take exams. The skill of independent learning does not develop immediately, so the student needs help with this. In addition to simply memorizing the material, you also need to understand the principles of operation of certain laws. What is behind all these formulas, signs, lines. At school, teachers help with this, and for those who are homeschooled, a nanny-teacher helps.
Tip #6. Tutor to help
Almost all of the above options may require significant financial investments. There is a relatively cheaper, but no less effective option - a tutor who will come to you (or the child to him), and he will explain all the difficult moments English grammar or perform any other task that you assign to him. This could be a native English speaker or a Russian-speaking teacher, whose strengths and weaknesses you can familiarize yourself with.
It is imperative to clearly set goals and objectives for the teacher. The English language has many aspects. Oral speech, writing, grammar, listening, etc. You must understand that by studying English 2 times a week for 2 academic hours, your child will not master the above skills quickly and fully. It will take a lot more time to get an “A” in school and to speak well on any topic freely. Therefore, the teacher needs to set clear tasks, for example: “Please focus on speaking” or “Please study for tests - Petya has difficulties with grammar.” Having achieved a positive result in one direction, you can move on to another. Unfortunately, doing everything at once will not bring the desired result.
But what should parents do who, for various reasons, have limited funds and do not speak English themselves?
The answer is - you need to understand the methods, approaches yourself and guide your child in the right direction, that is, simply be aware of the process itself. It is necessary to some extent to become a teacher and educator yourself. Understanding the basic principles of learning, a parent can create conditions for his child where he will master a particular subject as effectively as possible.
You can divide language proficiency into 3 conditional components:
1. Speaking and writing. This ability is developed through learning the rules as well as practicing their use. Here you need a teacher who will correct you.
2. Listening comprehension. This ability is developed through watching films,listening to audiobooks, communicating with English-speaking people. True, this should be just viewing with elaboration of the material, writing out words and memorizing them. Simply browsing will not produce significant results.
3. Reading. This ability is developed through reading books or variousarticles. Now there are many adapted books with translations that will help you with this.
The “basis” of language proficiency is vocabulary, i.e. vocabulary. Someone may object, saying that you also need to know the rules in order to speak; words alone are not enough. Without the “add-on” you won’t be able to communicate in the language. Yes, you are right, but it will take relatively little time to learn the basic rules. But it will take more than one year to expand your vocabulary to read books and understand films fluently.
Vocabulary is replenished throughout life. To facilitate and speed up this process (especially at the beginning of learning), you can use a fun way to study words on cards. Namely, on real hard paper cards with transcription and pictures.
IMPORTANT #3 |
Let's quantify the learning process. At the end of the month, look at the “success table” to see what has been done and evaluate your child’s progress. If you see what has been read 30 pages text, learned 120 words, viewed 4 films, memorized 10 texts, 5 hours of conversation on Skype with friends, then you know that your child is on the right path. At a certain level, quantity will turn into quality, and he will speak English fluently.
Number of words | Number of songs | Number of films | Number of active phrases |
|
| ... | ||||
| 75 |
What to do when nothing works out?
We also work with a tutor, and with a native speaker. We travel regularly too. Our kindergarten is also English-speaking. But there is no result, the child, just as he didn’t speak English, still doesn’t speak! What to do?
First of all, you need to understand in what mode the training takes place. Very often it turns out that classes with a tutor take place in one format, and the assessment of the child’s knowledge is carried out in another. For example, at school or kindergarten they test a child’s knowledge of grammar, and in individual lessons the child sings songs and learns words. Or the child is asked to communicate on a given topic, but his learning only affects reading and listening. Therefore, in order to see tangible results, the child must learn exactly what is required of him.
So what can you do to get your child to speak English?
In order for a child to speak, it is necessary not only to talk to him, but also to encourage him to speak. Create situations where his words can lead to some actions. For example, by saying a phrase, the child receives something or a new game begins.
Why can’t you just talk to him like in Russian and have him also speak English?
This is possible, but then it is necessary that the time of communication in English exceeds the time of communication in Russian. Typically, a child speaks 95% of his communication in Russian and only 5% speaks English, and he is required to speak English almost as well as Russian.
Is it possible to intensify the learning process?
The process can be intensified by creating a language environment where the child not only listens, sings songs and learns words, but also repeats after the teacher.
First, the muscles of the speech apparatus must adapt to certain phrases and sentences. Then, a situation is played out where the child must say something in English in order to get what he wants.
For example, the teacher says: “Give me the ball please.” Then asks the student to repeat this phrase: “Give me the ball please.” After this, the teacher takes the ball from the student’s hands.
Then he shows him the ball and gives it to the student only after the phrase: “Give me the ball please.” By practicing in this way, the student forms a connection between a phrase and the action that follows this phrase. A phrase “developed” in this way is well remembered and will be actively used.
Make sure your child is in active mode most of lesson, i.e. he not only listens, but also repeats the necessary phrases, which he then uses to achieve his goals.
At three years old, little fidgets learn about the world around them with genuine interest. And the more interesting things there are in this world, the better. Likewise, English for 3-year-old children will be an exciting adventure. Young “researchers” are keenly interested in the new and unknown, and unique opportunities natural knowledge of things will help them perceive a foreign language literally on a subconscious level. How to conduct training sessions correctly English language with children of three or four years old we will tell in today's article.
Every parent who worries about the future of their child asks a similar question. Heated discussions and differences of opinion are also common among teachers: some advocate learning English “from the cradle,” while others believe that it is more rational to get acquainted with a foreign language before entering school.
Without going into the details of this controversy, we will highlight its core. The root of the problem lies in excessive workload and “depriving children of their childhood.” But the secret of success is precisely that English lessons for children preschool age are held exclusively in the form of a game. The method of teaching English for little ones is not memorization, but an exciting game that fits organically into children's fun.
You can start learning English with a one-year-old baby, with a 2-year-old child, and with children aged 3 years and older. The main thing is to develop in students a sincere interest in learning English. Young children are open and very inquisitive on their own, so it’s not difficult to get them interested in a new activity. Moreover, the natural needs of cognition involve as much as possible all the capabilities of the brain. This gives children aged 2 to 4 years the following benefits:
- easy perception of new information;
- quick memorization;
- natural imitation of foreign pronunciation;
- lack of fear of speaking.
Learning foreign languages in adulthood will no longer be accompanied by these favorable factors. That's why it's worth striking while the iron is hot. However, in order for English lessons for children 3-4 years old to be truly successful, several nuances of child psychology should be taken into account before starting them.
How to explain English to 3-year-old children - practical recommendations
So, you have decided to teach your child to speak English, but you still don’t know where to start with the first lessons. It’s easy to start teaching children, the main thing is to remember the secret already said - no coercion, only play!
Instilling interest
Children aged 1 year and older actively explore the world, being interested in every unknown part of it. The parent's task is in this case– to pick up this natural interest and develop it into an exciting game “activity”. While playing with toys with your child, tell him about the English language using the names of these objects as an example. But do not immediately demand mandatory memorization and repetition: if the child is interested, then later he himself will demonstrate the acquired knowledge.
Use any everyday situations to teach English. What do three-year-olds do most often? They ask questions. Answer them by adding them to sentences english words, and explaining their meanings visually, i.e. showing objects. A child learns about the world through his eyes and sensations, so you should not make long verbal explanations that will quickly bore and confuse your child.
Let's not get bored
The main principle by which English is taught to children from 3 years old is no violence. Your classes should not be even remotely similar to school lessons. No “sit down and learn.” We play English with children, and we play not at any specific time of the day, but in any suitable situation.
For example, invite your child to learn colors in English during a walk. Let the little one joyfully shout Green at all objects containing the color green! Or you can compete with your child to see who can find the most green objects around. The reward for the game will again be a green delicacy: an apple, a pear, and a sweet watermelon is also suitable for the summer.
Such simple games provide excitement and positive emotions, develop a craving for new knowledge and make it easy to master and remember new vocabulary.
We encourage success
Praise and kind words are pleasant even for serious adults, let alone for affection-sensitive children who are only 3 or 4 years old.
Notice even small improvements in your baby’s knowledge. React to every correctly spoken phrase, inspiring and motivating your child to use English words more often in his speech and build whole sentences from them.
Other English topics: Tongue twisters in English for children: learning sounds in an interesting way!
Expressing praise should not be dry and formal. Show more emotions, hug, kiss, spin, throw the baby, etc. Kids acutely sense falsehood, so the expression of delight must be sincere. In addition to Russian praises, it’s a good idea to actively use English vocabulary. We suggest using the expressions from the table below.
Lead by example
Often parents want to give their child something they didn’t have, or teach them something they themselves couldn’t learn at one time. If this is the situation you have with regard to English, then get ready to start by changing your knowledge first.
If we teach a child a foreign language, then we ourselves must know it sufficiently. To do this, you need to allocate time and effort: sign up for a course, take online lessons, or independently study materials for classes with your child. Not everyone is ready to take such a step, but remember that the education of your children depends on you. If you yourself do not develop and take an interest in English, then your child, looking at the example of his parents, will consider learning foreign languages a boring and unnecessary matter.
We have listed the basic principles according to which English is taught to preschool children. Now, taking into account these recommendations, we will select ways to present the material.
Training methods
For modern education, instilling in a child an interest in learning is a priority. Therefore, many teaching methods and methods have been developed for both children who are only one year old and for children over three years old. The parent’s task is to try different teaching methods and track the baby’s reaction to them.
Cards
Card sets provide an opportunity to master thematic vocabulary with your child. Small cards are easy to use, and colorful drawings make them not only attractive and interesting, but also easy to understand for children. In addition, with cards you can come up with a lot of fun activities that allow you to check how much your child has learned the information.
The principle of teaching with the help of cards is simple: the parent shows the card and says the word, and the child looks at the picture and repeats what was said. It is important to note that translation is not taught! With the help of a drawing, the child independently understands the meaning of the word and embeds it in his memory. To check what you have learned, use mini-games: guess the card by description, name the odd one in a row, find the missing one, etc.
For children under 3 years old, you can buy or make large cards yourself, so that the child can stand on them. A path is made from such cards and the child is led along it, naming a new card with each step. After the child remembers the vocabulary, the track is, on the contrary, divided into separate “islands”. Now the parent calls out the word, and the baby’s task is to quickly jump onto the correct card.
Poems and songs
Another universal method that is suitable for children of any age. For one-year-old babies, their mother will carefully sing songs, and by the age of two, children are able to independently memorize the simplest lines.
Well, the English language for children 4 and 5 years old is inextricably linked with learning poems and songs by heart, because This method helps to expand your vocabulary and improve pronunciation. Also, an undoubted advantage of rhyming lines is that entire phrases and contexts are studied, rather than individual words.
It is important to note how to teach poetry in English with children. This should be done in stages.
- Preliminarily select the words that are key to understanding the poem and teach them to your child.
- Read the verse expressively, helping the child navigate the pronunciation of the lines.
- Look at the pictures for the poem or draw your own drawings with your child that reveal the content of the poem.
- Learning lines by heart.
- Periodic repetition of what has been learned.
Naturally, such a volume of work is not completed in one day. Several lessons are spent on one poem.
As for the songs, everything is much simpler here. The main thing is that the child likes the music, and the motive and words of the song will become attached by themselves. Today on the Internet you can find hundreds of educational songs for children, with which kids can quickly and funly learn popular English words and expressions on various topics.
Fairy tales
Learning a language through fairy tales also brings benefits. Of course, if the little one is just entering his second year, then it will be difficult for him to perceive a large amount of information. But children over 3 years old are already able to work in this form.
Other English topics: Present simple for kids: simple explanations and interesting exercises
For classes, it is necessary to select either very short stories or foreign translations of Russian fairy tales already familiar to children. Working with a foreign version of a Russian fairy tale, children learn to compare the English names of the characters, their words and actions with the Russian analogues that have settled in children's memory. It is important that the fairy tale is accompanied by interesting illustrations, then the child will better understand the text or simply be able to take a little break from working with words.
Don't forget about the possibility of using audio versions of fairy tales. By the age of three, a child can listen carefully and subconsciously remember the information he hears.
There are several fairy tales on our website that you can listen to and watch:
If you first work with the text, and then start listening to the characters’ remarks in audio, then the child will probably be able to name the speaking character and understand his speech a little. Thus, children develop listening comprehension. In addition, repeating the characters' lines improves pronunciation and helps to replenish the active vocabulary.
Videos
In the digital age, it is no longer possible to imagine teaching English to preschoolers without the use of videos. Colorful animation instantly attracts the attention of both kids and adults. Even the songs we have already reviewed are learned much faster if they are supplemented with a fascinating video that clearly shows the meaning of the words.
It is with simple songs that you should start learning English from videos. Here are all the factors that contribute to successful learning:
- visual presentation of material;
- work on auditory perception;
- imitating correct pronunciation;
- entertainment part (you can jump, do exercises, dance, play to the music).
In addition, songs for children in English tend to “sink” into memory even against one’s will, which contributes to the subconscious memorization of words and expressions.
After practicing with songs, start working with educational cartoons and fairy tales. Children will love following the new adventures of their favorite characters, which means that English classes will definitely become welcome and long-awaited.
Games
And although English for children 3 or 4 years old is always a form of play, we will highlight the description of games as a separate paragraph.
In fact, learning a foreign language can be combined with any game. If your baby is fidgety, then we recommend playing edible-inedible in English, hide and seek (with English counting), counting tables in English, card islands, or simply naming objects encountered on a walk.
Calm and measured kids should buy cards and board games in English. Intelligent kids will enjoy activities such as guessing games, bingo, letter rearrangement and word spelling.
Separately, we note computer and mobile applications. Educational computer games carefully thought out: there is a colorful design, clear voice acting, accessible explanations, and automated knowledge testing. In addition, most games contain a cross-cutting plot, which further motivates children to learn English and complete tasks.
Possibilities mobile applications more modest. With them, the child can learn and repeat new words by listening to their pronunciation and comparing them with pictures. Some programs contain additional mini-games and videos, but these must be paid for separately.
In any case, when working with interactive digital applications, the parent must be close to the child and help him complete the tasks. If you simply give your child a laptop or smartphone and leave him to play alone, then you will not achieve effective learning results. Remember that the child follows the example of his parents, and it is you who develop a responsible attitude towards learning English.
So, let's summarize all of the above, highlighting the strong points.
- It is possible, and even necessary, to teach children foreign languages from an early age if you do not want to miss the chance given by nature to quickly and naturally master new information.
- Classes are always conducted in a playful way. Only the child’s interest and passion give effective results and achievement of success.
- All nuances of child psychology are taken into account. Children should be encouraged more often, not focus too much on mistakes, and increase motivation to practice by example.
- Parents choose the teaching method on their own, but if necessary, adjust it, monitoring the baby’s reaction and the success of the task.
- Lessons are not fixed in time. The duration of the lesson depends on the mood and abilities of the baby.
By following these tips, you will competently structure the educational process and instill in your child an interest in foreign languages, without in any way infringing on his rights to a happy and carefree childhood. Good luck in your endeavors and see you again!
Every child is a diamond to their parents, a gift from heaven, an ocean of happiness, a treasure, and no one can argue with that. Each child is unique and brilliant for parents, and he will always be the best, most loved, successful and talented.
However, the world of adult life is very cruel and merciless, full of competition and struggle for leadership positions, this is exactly what parents should not forget about when raising children.
Naturally, a child, just like a diamond, needs a special cut, needs proper and high-quality upbringing and education, so that when he becomes an adult he does not lose his “shine.”
None of the parents dreams that, as an adult, their child will be uneducated, lazy, unable to provide for himself and his family, unemployed and stupid.
Our imagination always presents us with completely different pictures of the future; someone sees a laureate in front of them Nobel Prize, someone a world famous singer, someone a winner Olympic Games, someone a large business owner, a president, a doctor, a teacher, etc.
But without the participation of parents in the child’s life, nothing will happen in itself; the world is structured that way, that all achievements are achieved with great difficulty.
What can be done to ensure that the child can achieve his goal in the future? There are many things that can and should be done, for example, help, which is very popular in many countries and is international.
Voltaire said wonderful words that once again prove the importance of learning a foreign language: “To know many languages means to have many keys to one lock.”
Features of learning English for children
There is an expression: “Children are special people.” You will be convinced of this from the first minutes of being next to your child. Unlike adults, children have a completely different process of thinking and cognition. It's not good or bad, it's different.
Therefore, it is impossible to get a child to do, think, or understand the importance of something like an adult. But from the point of view of adults, the benefits of knowing English are obvious.
Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right approach to this important matter so that the classes are as useful as possible, and at the same time the child does not feel discomfort. Learning should bring positive emotions; with a positive mood, information is absorbed better.
Where to start learning English for children?
You need to answer this question like this: “From the cradle!” This is not a miracle - a method that will help you learn a language in an hour, a week, a month. This means that you need to study from the very birth of the child if the goal is to bring the child to a high level of knowledge of the English language.
There are many different methods that outline in detail how to work with children from the first days of their life.
Basically, all these methods rely on, which must be made of a certain size, the content itself must also be in a clearly marked place on the card and be of a certain color. Such information cards show a certain time and a certain number of times.
Thus, children who cannot even speak yet remember the contents of the cards and in the future will easily transfer all the acquired information from passive to active. In a word, the sooner you start paying attention to the English language, the better.
If you missed this time or are not a supporter modern techniques early development, then start learning the language at your own discretion, taking into account the child’s readiness. I hope that all parents understand that it is not worth starting with huge conditional sentences from specific terms, it is simply too much for the child.
The main principle in learning English with children is progression - you need to move from simple to complex. If a child does not know what flowers are called in their native language, then they should not start learning a foreign language with this topic. Choose topics and words that kids understand.
For example, you can do exercises and call them at the same time, so the baby will quickly learn new words.
While walking on the street, you can look at the nature around you, tell your child what a tree, flower, earth, etc. will look like. in English. After a while, the child will begin to ask questions to find out how this or that word is translated.
When a small number of words have been mastered, you can move on to learning how to construct short sentences. It is very difficult for a child to say even the simplest thing, for example, this is my ball. Therefore, do not rush and do not scold for mistakes, be patient and repeat as often as possible what the baby needs to remember.
How to get your child interested in learning English?
There is no reason for children to learn a language at their age. Often, adults cannot pull themselves together and learn a language, since they do not have an important reason for this.
The child will want to continue learning the language, he will look forward to new adventures and entertainment. These are not boring lessons and cramming words from a thick dictionary, but the knowledge gained as a result of the game will be very valuable.
How to stay motivated?
Undoubtedly, after a certain period of time there comes a moment when children do not want to continue, they become uninterested. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to remember that classes should not be monotonous.
Every time should be special and memorable:
- This is the case when cash It's better to spend it on books, CDs, posters, . They will be great helpers during your lessons.
- If the child has reached the age of at least 6-7 years, then you can try to participate in children's mini-Olympiads and language knowledge competitions. As a rule, all children who took part receive commemorative certificates, and the winners are awarded useful gifts. Even participation in such a project will help stimulate interest, and not stop there, and continue to learn English.
- Another effective way is to meet an English-speaking person. In this way, the child will be able to demonstrate his knowledge and realize that he still does not speak the language well enough, so it is necessary to continue learning.
- If possible, then courses can be an excellent motivation English language.
- The best example for children is their parents. So consider learning the language with your child. If your child sees how diligently and painstakingly you do, then he will follow your example and work hard as well. Joint lessons will be good English practice, and your relationship with your child will become stronger and stronger.
Which English to study: British or American?
In fact, British English and American are two types of the same language. It's up to you to decide which one to study. It all depends on the goal you set for yourself.
Schools and institutes study the British version of English, but if you are going to move to America and take the exam, then, of course, it is better to pay attention and spend energy on learning American English.
The British language is considered more complete and rich, while the American language is considered simplified, but in fact it is not.
The languages do not have many differences, it’s just that in American English there is now a tendency to simplify everything; among young people you almost never hear speech in Perfect tenses; most people use only Simple tenses in everyday communication.
However, if we talk about working with documents and communicating among educated people, then it is impossible to refuse correct and complete speech.
If you do not yet know what awaits you in the future and where your knowledge of the English language will be applied, then it is better to learn the accepted standard of English and, if necessary, pay attention to the differences in British and American English.
It can definitely be said that if you learn British English, you will be understood in America and even in Australia.
The best online tutorials for children
There are a lot of resources on the Internet for learning English. If you've really decided that you want to learn this language, you'll undoubtedly find one that's right for you online.
Pavel Burtovoy
Video designer of the St. Petersburg media channel “First Popular Television”. He is interested in cinema, animation and everything connected with it.
My son has been studying English at school for the second year. I recently discovered that his knowledge in this area is simply terrible. Problems were found even with the alphabet. Something had to be done.
For some reason, the method of memorizing words using double-sided cards did not work in our situation. Probably due to poor knowledge of the alphabet. I’m generally silent about different programs for smartphones: the child’s interest in learning a language is not zero, but rather negative, so that these programs can interest him.
I had to, based on the experience of my predecessors, develop and test my own method. Well, personally manage the learning process.
A little theory
Memorization can be reduced to a cyclical process of three components:
- Perception.
- Repetition.
- Testing.
When we want a child to remember information, the task becomes more complicated: it is not clear how well he perceived it, how many times he repeated it, and testing a student leads to stress and negative emotions in case of a bad result.
Let's look at all three components of the memorization process and how they can be improved.
Perception
For high-quality perception, it is desirable to use as many types of memory as possible: auditory, visual, motor. You can also add a variety such as verbal memory.
Repetition
When repeating material, oddly enough, an effective method turned out to be multiple recordings of what was being studied and their simultaneous pronunciation.
I read about this method in the memoirs of a Soviet intelligence officer. He called this technique the most effective for increasing vocabulary.
The effectiveness of the combination of repeated rewriting of words with their simultaneous pronunciation can be explained by the fact that all possible types of memory are involved in the process.
Rewriting allows you to automate the process and depersonalize it. In addition, recorded words document the fact of repetition and make it possible to find out which material is remembered better and which worse.
Testing
When testing knowledge, it would be good to hide the fact of testing from the child, but leave a reward for successful completion. That is, hide the stick, but stick out the carrot in every possible way.
If confirmed, the cycle of “perception - repetition - testing” is interrupted. If not, repeat. This creates an incentive to learn all the material faster.
At the same time, knowledge is obtained in portions and is tested in portions, and not like this: “Sit down, now I will check how you learned what you were asked today.”
How the method works
Since my son didn’t know the alphabet very well, we started with that. I found the simplest recipes on the Internet, similar to these:
First, I got my son to completely associate the pronunciation of each letter with its spelling: this will be very important in the future. After the alphabet we moved on to words. To do this, I used and continue to use a regular student’s notebook with a line or sheets from such a notebook. In the margins I write the Russian meanings of the words (expressions) that are to be learned.
These words must be written on the appropriate lines. Since each word is new, I allow you to rewrite it from the textbook for the first time. Then the son writes the word as many times as will fit on the line.
At the same time, he not only writes, but also pronounces the word out loud every time.
When finished, the sheet is turned over, and there is a surprise! In the margins are the same Russian words, and with their English counterparts you need to fill in all the lines, but without looking at the textbook.
Three important points:
- I care about the child, I don’t blame him for his mistakes.
- If he doesn't remember the spelling, then I spell it (this is where a good knowledge of the alphabet comes in handy).
- If a child wrote and pronounced a word without prompting the first time, then we have an agreement that he does not repeat it throughout the entire line. Subsequently, the word is removed from the lists. It is considered that it has been learned and the cycle of “perception - repetition - testing” is completed for it.
The process is repeated until all words from the original list have been eliminated. The photo below is about the fourth iteration.
We previously taught our son the alphabet in the same way. I wrote in Russian “ey”, “bi”, “si”, “di” and so on in the margins, and my son filled in the lines with English capital and lowercase letters.
Pros and cons of the method
The method has several strengths. Almost all types of memory are involved: auditory, visual, verbal and motor. Learning is stress-free and the student does not suffer.
The rules of the game are simple and fair. We can say that the method works automatically and the result appears as if by itself. A clear demonstration of the dialectical principle of the transition from quantity to quality. The algorithm is applicable for repeating forgotten material and is easily scalable for different volumes words
The method gives the student objective criteria for achieving the goal. There are real incentives to learn everything quickly and go for a walk.
The disadvantages of this method of learning are also obvious: you need a lot of paper and a “supervisor”.
Spelling and pronunciation English names My son learned the days of the week in the evening. The next day I received an A on the test, praise and surprise from the teacher. And this is not the only success.
It was also interesting to observe how the material is, if it is not repeated. First of all, the ability to write without errors disappears, then pronunciation begins to suffer, and last of all, the sound of the word is forgotten. But the ability to recognize it in the text remains for a long time.
I don’t think that the method is ideal, but using the described memorization mechanisms, you can always come up with something of your own.
