4 Smart Ways to Immerse your Child in the English Language

Teaching spoken English at home is one of the most effective ways for children to learn the language. Because it is easier to learn a new language at a younger age, it’s important to begin the immersion process as early as possible. Sometimes, parents and caretakers think that a child may be too young to start learning English. This is simply not true! The younger a child starts learning the English language, the quicker and easier they will begin speaking spontaneous English. While there is no shortage of fun and creative ways to teach English to children at home, here are some ideas to get you started!

Hire an English Speaking Babysitter

Chances are, you already use a babysitter for those days and occasions you will not be at home to watch your child. Hiring an English speaking babysitter or caretaker for your child is fantastic way to immerse your child in the English language.

If you ask your babysitter to only speak to your child in English, your child will soon grow accustomed to not only hearing the English language, but also responding in English. Overtime, their English skills will progress and improve naturally. Not only is this a practical option, it’s also one of the best ways to encourage speaking the English language into your home.

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Watch Children’s TV Programs in English

Allowing your child to watch their television programs in English is a fun and potentially interactive way to speak the English language. Many television programs are adding interactive language learning shows every year. This is a great option not only because it keeps your child’s attention, but it also requires no English speaking skills on your part. If you’re worried about teaching your child incorrect grammar or wrong pronunciation, an English speaking television show won’t require any speaking from you.

Furthermore, increasingly more language learning television shows are creating complex interactive segments. These interactive segments invite your child to respond and answer the English prompts the characters are asking. Overall, English language learning television programs are ideal because they are targeted towards children and require no English skills from the parents.

Cook Together

Cooking together is a fun and practical way to practice spoken English at home. Due to the great availability of English recipes online, you won’t even need to have a full English cookbook. Simply research a recipe your child would like to eat, and work through the ingredient list and instructions together. Recipes offer a rich variety of instructional language and phrases such as: next, afterward, during, while, at the end, etc.

By practicing this instructional language found in recipes, children will be able to say more complex sentences. Cooking together is also an ideal practice method for beginning English language learners. Due to the simple nature of an ingredients list, a child will be able to focus on one word at a time. In addition to hearing and repeating the ingredient, the child will be able to physically see and touch the ingredients. This physical action, in combination with reading the ingredient in English, will provide the child with context.

English Language Playdates

Finding an English speaking friend for your child is perhaps the most effective way for your child to practice their English language skills. By engaging in natural play, children will begin to pick up and communicate in English naturally. Your child’s language skills will rapidly begin to improve as they spend more time with their English speaking friend.

Finding a suitable friend for your child is not as difficult as it may seem. If you live in an English speaking country, chances are your child already has English speaking friends from school. Ask the friend’s parents if their child would like to come over after school to play. If the children get along and play well, invite the child to come over every week to play.

If you do not live in a native English speaking country, you may have to diligently search for opportunity. Perhaps you can start a bilingual play group for your community. Consider joining a club marketed towards expats and their families. And don’t underestimate the power of social media! Ask your friends and family if they personally know of any English speaking families that would be willing to meet up and spend time together. Chances are, other parents are looking for a similar opportunity!

There are so many unique and creative ideas to help your child practice English speaking skills! The key is to keep your children engaged and speaking as much as possible. If you realize your child is getting bored of one idea, move onto another idea! Children are dynamic and full of character. With a little bit of creativity, and a lot of patience- your child will start spontaneously speaking English before you know it!