5 Steps to Helping Your Kids Master a New Language

By Lizzie Weakley

If you are a parent, then the chances are that one of your goals is to help your children learn another language. The earlier they start, the better, which is why it’s crucial to find ways to make this happen. It is imperative to know the steps that help in teaching a new language to children.

There are so many benefits to learning a new language and it can be something like French or Spanish or even something with no talking and teaching them sign language from Mike Best.

Make It Fun

Make sure that your children are enjoying the learning process. Choose a language they want to learn. Find ways to practice at home and make the whole experience as interactive as possible. For example, play games in target languages or watch movies together without subtitles. There are many great apps designed for this purpose. Before starting, do some research because not these apps will be appropriate. Select an app depending on your child’s age and other factors.

Set a Good Example

Children are very wise, and they learn by watching their parents. If you want your children to speak another language, make sure that you talk about the target language yourself. This is true for young children who won’t notice if you don’t use certain words or phrases. It also happens to older kids who are likely to pick up on every mistake. Speaking the new language in front of them will motivate them. Even if they only know a few words at first, those words will turn into sentences once they start speaking more often.

Find a Language Buddy

One of the best ways to learn a new language is by immersing yourself in it. This means listening and speaking as much as possible, but also reading and writing if you can. Language buddies are people who want to study with you or practice what they’ve learned from time to time. They don’t have to be your age either. There are many adults out there who would love the opportunity.

Find a Tutor

Hiring an experienced language tutor is another excellent way to help your children learn. You can look for a teacher from an ideal school that is recognized in foreign language teaching. Such a teacher will give everything your child needs to know the new language. It will become easier and more natural over time. You might want to try finding someone online first who will be happy with Skype calls rather than traveling out for these sessions.

Be Persistent

Make sure that you are consistent. It’s essential to spend enough time learning the new language to make it easier for your children. If they practice every day or even once a week, then this will help them become more fluent over time.

In conclusion, teaching a new language to a kid might not be easy. Don’t lose heart if progress isn’t as fast as you might like. Keep at it and focus on having fun. With time your child will learn and become perfect in the new language.

About the Author

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.

*Profile pic courtesy of Lizzie Weakley