In the modern world, more and more parents want their children to be speakers of the English language at a younger age. Most of them are concerned about how to teach a child to speak in English and many lack this skill themselves.
The good news is, you don’t have to have perfect English yourself in order to teach your child, all that is needed is enthusiasm and encouragement your child. Your enthusiasm for the language will play a significant role in helping your child learn to speak English.
How Can I Teach My 3-Year Old to Speak English at Home?
‘’I want my 3-year old to learn speaking English but I am not sure how to teach a child to speak English’’. This is a common concern among most of my friends. When children are at a prime age, learning a new language is relatively easy and quick. Therefore, it will be helpful to start teaching English to your child early.
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You should take advantage of their early age and immerse your child in the English language as early as possible. The best way to do this is ensuring that you incorporate English in your daily routines at home to enhance their speaking ability and vocabulary.
Still wondering how to teach a child to speak English? Don’t worry, the following tips will be helpful:
#1. Establish a Routine
Establishing an English routine at home can significantly help your child learn to speak in English. I would recommend having short and frequent sessions instead of long, infrequent sessions. For very young children you can have 15-minute sessions. You can gradually increase the length of sessions as the child grows and also increase the concentration of English learned. For you to have your child’s attention, you should ensure the activities are short and clear.
Children are more comfortable when they are aware of what to expect. Therefore, you should have the same routine every day. For instance, you could watch an English cartoon after school or even play an English game.
#2. Using Stories
Small children are attracted to books with attractive illustrations and bright colours. Look at the pictures in the book with your child and while pointing the pictures you say their names. Afterwards ask your child to point at various things, e.g. ‘where is the dog?’’ After this, encourage your child to ask a question. Listening to stories will significantly help your child get used to rhythms and sounds of English.
Listening to animated stories is an excellent way to improve your child’s listening and reading skills. If your child is older, he/she can fill the accompanying downloadable activities to gauge their understanding.
#3. Hire an English Speaking House Help
Parents who are not always present at home can save their children a great deal if they hire an English speaking house help. You can be at ease knowing that your children are learning English even in your absence.
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Unlike when speaking to you, your caretaker may only be able to speak in English. This will make your children do their best to learn speaking English because they would love to speak with the caretaker.
#4. Listen to English Music
All children no matter their age love music. Singing and dancing to English songs with your child will significantly help them in learning English.
Singing English songs will help your child learn English sounds and vocabulary. Usually, songs involve a lot of rhythms and repetitions thus making it easy for your child to remember.
Also playing songs with lyrics is an excellent way of helping your children’s punctuation patterns naturally.
#5. Encourage Them to Play in English
It is easy for children to learn naturally without intervention from adults. Children can learn English while playing and making mistakes along the way. Therefore, encouraging your children to play in English will significantly help improve their English.
Encourage them to play hide-and-seek and other games in English. You should encourage your children to learn English the same way you would teach their first language.
#6. Listen to Audio Books
The best way to immerse your child in the English language is through listening to English audios. This includes listening to audiobooks, or broadcasts. You can use the time when commuting your child to school to listen to audiobooks.
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To help improve your child’s English level, use audiobooks that are slightly above his/her level.
#7. Don’t Overwhelm the Child with Many New Words
When teaching your child new words, try not to overwhelm him with many new words. Introducing 3 new words at a time would be ideal so that the child will not have tough time remembering.
Now that you’ve learned how to teach a child to speak English, it’s time to help your child improve his mastery of English speaking. You can do this by helping your child develop a reading habit. Buying English books that are interesting to your child will be helpful.
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