Tips for practicing English at home with children
The knowledge of languages every day is more important in our society. Therefore, it is imperative that our children practice English daily, and for that there is an infinity of tricks that will make learn English at home almost without realizing. Although knowledge of grammar and vocabulary is very important, the daily practice of English will make learning easier.
Phrases in English at home
It is not convenient to force the situation or force your child to speak in English if you do not want to, since you might end up seeing languages as an obligation, when it can be a game. Therefore, it is best to do everything naturally. Even if you do not know much English you can memorize some phrases in English or the numbers to tell him and, thus, that he gets used to listening to them and answering them:
- Good Morning / Good night (Good morning / Good evening)
- Come here (come)
- Well done! (Well done!)
- You are the best (you are the best)
- I love this pizza (I love this pizza)
- Can you help me? (can you help me?)
- Would you like an ice-cream? (you want an icecream?)
- Where are you? (Where are you?)
See the cartoons in English
All English teachers recommend seeing English or American films in original version to get used to the language: to sounds and expressions, so that children can do the same: watch your favorite cartoons in English. The elders usually we put them with subtitles to guide us, but if your child does not know how to read the best is that he does not have them: this way he will relate the sounds with the images that are shown.
Read in English
When your child is small, it is the best time for him to learn a multitude of things, such as read in English. Just as you can teach him to read in Spanish, the bilingual stories They allow your little one to practice both languages at the same time, so they will see its use as something completely natural. Currently there are a lot of traditional and modern stories that are published in bilingual edition and even with interactive applications for the computer or the tablets.
Music in English
Music can be a great tool for your son practice English, especially when it is small. It has not happened to you that, of listening to a song on the radio, you end up learning it? The same thing can happen to your little one if he listens songs in English. The best thing is, again, to take everything naturally: start with the melody, then you can learn to dance together and, in turn, to introduce the lyrics of the song in English.
Usually, children begin to hum or sing the songs themselves but, if we see that they do not "pull out", it is as easy as doing it and encouraging them to follow us. Music gives us many options to practice English and make learning a fun game. Yes, better with songs adapted to your age, although it will depend on the taste of your child.
Games to learn English
The games are the perfect way to learn while having fun, so having toys that emit sounds in English or that are interactive will make them entertained and have fun while learning English almost without realizing it.
In addition, some of the learning opportunities of new technologies have a lot to do with languages, as many Online games are in English. You can also take advantage of this and use applications that allow your child to learn English almost without realizing it.
The most important thing is take English naturally and make it stay as long as possible around us. This way you will get your child to learn new vocabulary and good pronunciation, while developing a lot of language skills that will make it easier to get speak fluent English.
Angela R. Bonachera
