8 reasons why your children do not learn English

Expecting that only with English classes children can speak the language is one of the main mistakes that parents make. On the contrary, we must promote a series of habits and customs that make English something present in everyday life through a series of simple habits that integrate the language at home. Instilling children with an intuitive learning of English is the key to learning how to speak it naturally.

The English language is present in our environment, but despite everything still 60 percent of Spaniards can not read, speak or write it.

8 reasons why children do not learn English

According to the experts of the Spanish startup MyHOSTpitality, these are the eight reasons why your children do not learn English. Do you recognize any ?:


1. It is still small. Waiting for children to be older is one of the main mistakes of parents. When you first become familiar with a baby or a child with a second language before you will learn. EU experts recommend learning languages ​​at an early age because it is beneficial for children. It has been proven that children stimulated with two languages ​​before two years can learn phonemes more easily. Moreover, in one study they concluded that when they learn new languages ​​they develop their linguistic competence, they assimilate all languages ​​better and they know other cultures and ways of thinking that can help in their general development.

2. The English of the school is sufficient. The English classes of the school are not enough for several reasons: first, the large groups, generally about 25 children per class, does not allow a personalized teaching and also, each one has a different level. Secondly, in most schools the number of hours of English is reduced and only 2 to 4 hours per week are practiced. You have to attend English academies or have private teachers to practice for more hours and that these classes are adapted to the needs of the child and go at their pace and level. Parents should also lose the fear of speaking English to their children and practicing with them.


3. We forget the original version of television. It is very important that children get used to watching television -drawings, movies, series ...- in the original version. In other countries, especially in the Nordic countries that have the highest levels of knowledge of English in Europe, the great part of the television program is broadcast in the original version, which helps to improve the hearing ability and the children get used to it. English intonation and pronunciation. Something that does not happen in Spain where the drawings, films and series are dubbed into Spanish, although thanks to the fact that currently most TVs have options to listen to the contents in the original version, it is easy to encourage this habit. Accustom the children from very young to see their favorite drawings in the original version, and do not leave it for when they grow up because they will not want to make the effort and it will be too late.


4. Lack of practical intention. Although parents realize that learning English is essential and above all very important for the labor market, at home we do not put it into practice. Although many parents feel that they do not have enough knowledge of English, you can download language applications or videos and practice with children in dead times as in the meter or in the pediatrician's office.

5. Difficult for Spanish speakers. The University of Alcalá explains that for a Spanish-speaker, English is a particularly complicated language. To begin with, it is a 12-vowel language system, which is equivalent to 7 vowels more than in our native language. For this reason it can be difficult but not impossible, and for this we have to admit that it requires effort and act accordingly looking for mechanisms that facilitate learning.

6. Fear of making a fool of yourself. Many children are afraid to speak or read at school in English because they will not understand, get nervous, slip words in Spanish or stay quiet. Therefore, it is good that children practice at home with well-known people to lose this fear, encourage them in learning and transmit confidence.

7. Lack of motivation. Motivation is fundamental, many times learning English is difficult and boring and it is hard for them to study it. It will be necessary to look for attractive learning methods, and this is easy nowadays, in the network there are multiple resources and dynamic and fun media for children (videos, songs, stories, etc.). With these new safe resources you are encouraged and become familiar with the new language.

8. We do not communicate with other cultures. Children do not speak with English natives, they hardly know their culture and traditions, therefore, it is good to talk with native English speakers to improve their pronunciation and learn a wider vocabulary. It is good to make a language exchange with another foreign boy, so he will be in contact 24 hours a day with the language and will be able to overcome the previous steps that we have mentioned, such as losing the fear of speaking, getting motivated and surrounded by an English environment. In this way, the child learns English in a different, quick and fun way.

Marina Berrio
Advice: MyHOSTpitality

Video: 5 Reasons – Why Should You Learn English? - Speak English fluently & Confidently – Free ESL lessons


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