Teach Kids a Foreign Language
Want to teach your child a foreign language? Learning a second language for kids is becoming more and more popular around the world for good reason.
With so many benefits of being bilingual, an increasing amount of parents are trying to give their children the gift of a foreign language.
Not everyone knows the best way to go about it though.
Multilingual parents have the advantage of being able to teach their child a second language themselves from birth. There are many language strategies to follow for raising bilingual children.
However, for parents who don’t have additional language skills, teaching your child a foreign language can be a challenge.
If you haven’t already make sure you join our Facebook Community for Raising Bilingual Kids and Little Global Citizens We have a fantastic group of parents just like you trying to teach kids a language.
How to teach kids a foreign language
Here are 5 steps to teach your child a foreign language today
1. Introduce the language early
The first step to teaching your child a foreign language is to start as soon as possible. Start now, no matter how old your child is. Even babies can learn a foreign language if they are exposed from birth.
Many argue that there is a “Critical Period” where a child’s ability to learn a new language diminishes as they get older. It doesn’t mean that older children can’t still learn a foreign language. It may just mean they learn differently, or it may not be as easy.
Introducing a new language early on will give your child the best chance at mastering a foreign language as they get older.
2. Start teaching the basics
Even if you don’t know the foreign language you are teaching, you can start with learning the basics together.
Just hearing the target language can help children get an ear for the different tones.
Learn the colours and shapes together, learn to count together, and sing songs.
Play games together. Label things around the house and practice identifying them.
One the most effective ways to teach your child a foreign language is by listening to music, so have songs playing in the background constantly and after a while your child will be bopping along singing the words.
Recommended:
English Nursery Rhymes
Chinese Nursery Rhymes and Songs
Spanish Nursery Rhymes
French Nursery Rhymes
Engaging in activities that your child loves and make language learning enjoyable. Children learn better when they are having fun. Whether it be playing games, or drawing, take advantage of play time together to introduce new vocabulary and phrases.
3. Take advantage of foreign language resources
When teaching your child a foreign language, resources will be your best friend. Research online for things such as foreign language books, language apps, online language programs, games and activities.
Use screen time to your advantage and allow your child to watch their favourite cartoons or tv programs in a foreign language.
You can find an exhaustive list of language resources on Bilingual Kidspot, which includes over 15 languages that will help to teach your child the target language.
There is also free mini courses and online lessons kids with lots of free printables and activities as well as resources to use to learn each language! Click below:
4. Seek outside support
Outside support can be very helpful when you don’t speak a second language yourself.
Find a language immersion class in your area, or a foreign language class. Lessons from a native speaker in the target language will be a great help, even if you can only manage a couple of times per week.
Learning a second language can only work with enough exposure and resources.
5. Find opportunities to practice the target language
While language classes, groups, and other study materials will set down a good foundation for language learning, you will need to find ways for your child to actually practice what they have learned. It isn’t enough to simply listen or study words. Children need to use a language to master it.
Hiring an Aupair or bilingual nanny, or even hosting an exchange student are great ways to teach your child a foreign language. Having a native speaker around in a natural environment will help your child learn the language in a natural way and give them plenty of time to practice.
Join social groups with people who speak the language or travel to countries where the language is spoken to give your child more exposure.
Find your child a pen-pal from a foreign country so they can practice their writing skills, and learn about the culture as well as the language.
In other words, find people or situations where you are surrounded by people who speak the language your child is learning.
Teach Kids Second Language
It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight. But teaching your child a foreign language is a gift that can last a lifetime. When kids learn a second language it is a skill they have for life.
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