How to introduce your children to the English language?

September 11, 2017 ∙ 9 minutes reading time

Even before the child is born, one thinks of his future … But the current unemployment and crisis situation certainly does not help to calm down.

In addition to training or studying English skills extremely important for success in professional life, because globalization has made English the world language. So learning business English is essential today.

Northern European children speak English at least for beginners very early. Maybe you’ve met a Swede before and were surprised how perfectly he speaks the language.

The Germans are not bad at all with their English skills, because according to the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) 2016, they rank 9th out of 72 countries tested.

So we have the best English skills worldwide German parents are good prerequisites for teaching their children English.

So how do you teach your child English? As a mother or father, you want to create the best possible basis for your child.

Children are like sponges. Even from birth, you can start speaking to them in English. And there are also plenty for toddlers from around three years of age English-learning methods.

You will be surprised to find that children learn English very quickly!

1. English in everyday life

When the children are small, mom and dad are their role models. These are ideal prerequisites for introducing you to the English language in everyday life.

Speak e.g. English with your child when you cook or bathe.

Child psychologists agree that by promoting your child’s bilingualism introduces foreign languages as early as possible.

Bilingualism has a positive effect on your child’s intellect. | Source: visualhunt

Speak English with your child every day

Multilingualism is almost indispensable nowadays, be it in professional or private life.

The child is stimulated intellectually: It has been scientifically proven that bilingual children have greater conceptualization and analytical skills.
The child learns faster: Since a bilingual child is stimulated to a high degree with his first words, he has a higher level of comprehension for learning other foreign languages at school or while studying. Bilingualism also has a positive effect on his oral expression.
The child opens up to the world: Learning the English language makes the child curious about foreign cultures.

A second language (or foreign language) in addition to the mother tongue represents an incredible opportunity in life for the child and serves him not only in his academic but also his professional career.

So speak to your child regularly in English. At first, it may mix some English words and phrases with German, but it will quickly learn to use them correctly.

2. English songs

You know even as an adult brother Jacob and other children’s songs by heart? So you see that songs have a big impact, also for your child!

So teach him English with songs. This is fun and at the same time promotes his language skills.

Translate the text with him so that he understands the meaning. You will be amazed at how quickly he can memorize it!

Occasionally insert a CD with English songs to get his ears used to English.

children’s songs

Music is sometimes the best way to familiarize your child with the English language.

Children’s songs in particular are based on an educational program and repetitions, so that the child can play vocabulary expanded and its pronunciation improved, and without any effort.

The happy rhythms and simple lyrics and melodies will delight your child and they want to hear the songs over and over again. Warning: catchy tune

But you hear them for a good cause!

How your child learns English (Vocabulary, pronunciation, syntax…) in an entertaining way.

Here are some English children’s songs:

To learn the English alphabet: The alphabet song
To learn the English numbers: The ants go marching
To learn English colors and clothing: The colors of our clothes

3. English educational games

One of the best learning methods for children is to learn English with games. You can find a number of interactive and fun educational games on the British Council website.

Of course, there are also software that can be used to learn English, and the Internet is overflowing with free English courses.

Your child likes to play with your smartphone?

Then download English from the Apple Store or Google Play Learning Apps down. This makes learning English online a pleasure.

But of course there are also entertaining games without having to use the Internet. How about e.g. with role-playing games or a round Hide and seek? Of course, your child does not count in German but in English!

The focus here is on fun, and your child learns new English words in a playful way.

English learning websites for children

It is easiest to learn English (and everything else) with fun. This is especially true for children.

With games they learn a foreign language effortlessly without being aware of learning at all!

In the age of the Internet, it makes sense to promote interest in digital English learning programs. English educational games are in droves.

Whether numbers, an introduction to English culture, English writing games … Here are some internet educational game sites for children:

Petralingua.com: video sequences, songs, interactive games
TheLiteracyCenter.net: numbers, colors, time and alphabet.
Startfall.com: British pronunciation and accent

Learn English with your tablet

In addition to the foreign language learning apps for adults (Babbel, Duolingo, etc.), there was also a large number English learning apps for children with Play and Puzzle developed behind which a correct learning methodology is hidden.

4. English stories

The evening reading stories are sometimes the most beautiful moments of the day for both parents and children.

So how about English reading stories?

After reading a German book, you read an English one to your child, which makes it gentle even in the evening effective English course takes part.

It will be with the sound trusts and remembers the English language words and expressions that it relates to the images.

If you’re already reading an English text to him, teach him a few English letters at the same time.

English stories help you learn English

Evening reading stories before bedtime are ideal for introducing children to English.

Between 1 and 3 children develop their language skills, speak their first words and sentences.

English stories train your child’s hearing and vocabulary. | Source: stockvault

To arouse his interest and stimulate his imagination, you should alternate German and English stories. Learning English becomes engaging and enriching if you consider the following:

Choose short stories: Young children do not have long concentration ranges. So limit yourself to small stories that don’t last longer than 5-10 minutes.
Choose a precise topic: In order to increase your child’s English vocabulary, it is advisable to choose a story with a specific topic, e.g. about animals on the farm.
Choose an amusing reading: Match your voice to the text. Imitate e.g. animal noises.

Reading has an entertaining learning effect and you spend a moment of familiarity with your child. What more do you want?

5. English cartoons

Some parents keep their children away from the television, which is understandable.

However, children see it differently. They could sit in front of the screen for hours without seeing a single disadvantage!

Use this Moments of concentration and show your child English cartoons.

There are those that are specifically tailored to learning and teach children words in two languages, e.g.. Dora.

Or you can show him a cartoon in English only. Even if it doesn’t understand anything at first, it will quickly get used to the English sound and also understand some facts.

Learning English as a toddler with cartoons

Watching English films in their original version is an effective way to practice oral comprehension.

How to use this method in children?

Quite simply, there are cartoons!

Don’t worry, even if your child doesn’t understand the full meaning of the story, it will still be fun, and the colorful pictures will keep English words and phrases hanging.

6. English babysitter

What is more effective in learning English than an English speaking person?

If you are looking for a babysitter anyway, why not an English-speaking one?

Hire an English-speaking babysitter for your child to let them learn English with ease. | Source: visualhunt

There are certainly some foreign students in your area who are looking for a part-time job.

Or hire one if you have a room above and the necessary change AU Pair girl. Someone who lives with you, looks after your child and only speaks to him in English, makes rapid progress in his language skills.

Learn English with native English speakers

It is easy to find an English speaking babysitter so that a child can make rapid progress in English?

On the Internet you will find a large selection of foreign babysitters, e.g. on ebay classifieds or betreut.de. On hallobabysitter.de you can also search for babysitters according to certain characteristics, including their mother tongue.

A good solution for your child to learn English in an effective and playful way!

7. Travel to an English speaking country

Are you planning your family vacation and don’t know where to go? Then travel to an English-speaking country!

Immersing yourself in a language is the best way to learn it.

Encourage e.g. Your child orders the food himself or speaks to the residents in the restaurant and goes to parks together so that your child comes into contact with English-speaking children of his age and can apply what they have learned.

So he will realize how important it is that linguistic proficiency to have a country if you want to integrate.

If you can’t go with him, how about a language trip?

There are numerous organizations that offer language courses for children.

In the morning, classes are generally taught (grammar, syntax, vocabulary), while games and city tours are offered in the afternoon.

Language courses in England for children

Immersing yourself in Anglo-Saxon culture brings the ideal learning effect.

So book a language trip to London or another city in England for your child. It gets to know the respective culture, expands its English vocabulary and improves his pronunciation.

Whether in a school, with a host family or with an English teacher, your child has the opportunity to deepen their language skills and experience an exciting time.

Some language schools include:

8. Bilingual schools

There are a number of bilingual schools in Germany, where teaching is carried out in both German and English.

Whether bilingual kindergartens or schools, your child will become a native English speaker here! | Source: visualhunt

The ideal option for your child, bilingual to become.

As an alternative, there are also language schools that offer weekly English courses as well as vacation courses, e.g.. abracadabra in Berlin.

The teaching here is based on the principle of entertainment, because fun is the most effective way to learn English.

English for toddlers

What is a bilingual school / kindergarten?

A facility where the classes and the activities be held in German and in another language, e.g. on English.

They can be found all over Germany and, depending on the institution, are open to children from the age of one.

Toddlers can immerse themselves directly in the English language and learn them with the help of the hearing and imitation.

The English vocabulary quickly settles in their minds and they no longer have to think about irregular verbs.

Most students in a bilingual school have a perfect command of English after graduation and therefore have a decisive advantage over monolingual people for their later professional life.

9. English tutoring

After kindergarten, you can also have one for your child english tutor engage.

A teacher who specializes in children adapts to the rhythm and needs of your child and offers them suitable ones learning activities.

He will also keep you informed of your child’s progress and give you advice on how to speak English with him.

English group lessons for children

There are also English lessons for children in small groups.

The advantage of group lessons is that your child does not learn English alone. Through the collective learning dynamics they are motivated to use the English language with their classmates.

A good alternative so that your child can practice social interaction and learn the language in the process.

10. Be patient

Investing in your child’s English and language classes is recommended so that they have more options later in life.

Do not put it under pressure, however, because it should be fun for language learning to fall on fertile ground.

Learning English as a child – long-term results

So that your child comes into contact with the English language on a daily basis and regularly applies and extends what they have learned, speak with him in English at home.

Every child is unique and has its own rhythm. You are certainly aware of this.

"Patience is the key to joy." Arabic proverb

With this saying, everything is said: Do not surprise your child and do not put them under pressure. Children in particular need it to learn fun!

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