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We, adults, learn English for a long time and painfully. We are looking for a suitable method, trying to wrap our heads around the rules of a different linguistic system, “re-educating” our articulatory apparatus for other sounds.

It is much easier for a child to learn English from scratch: children literally absorb it! Those grammatical structures that we diligently learn are instantly “absorbed”. Without analysis, which we are not yet capable of, but just like that.

The child can speak both two and three languages. The main thing is to constantly work with him. Therefore, dear adults (present and future parents), we are preparing to raise English-speaking children! And we will help you with this.

So, on the agenda (table of contents of the article):

How to start learning English with your child on your own: the “immersion” technique

Recently, our entire country was conquered by a baby named Bella Devyatkina. This girl, at only 4 years old, speaks 7 (in addition to her native) languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Arabic.

In fact, a child can master more languages, because, as Masaru Ibuka wrote in the acclaimed book “After Three It’s Too Late”:

“...a child’s brain can accommodate an unlimited amount of information...”

So, if in a family the mother is Russian, the father is English-speaking, and the nanny, say, is German, then the child will speak all three languages ​​without any difficulties. And there will be no “mixing” of languages ​​(as many skeptics say). Just the mother will be with the baby for "The Forest Raised a Christmas Tree", and dad for ABC songs. 🙂

But Bella's parents are Russian! How then is this possible? It turns out that she Since childhood, her mother spoke only English to her(that is, the conditions for bilingualism were created artificially). After her parents noticed her interest in languages, they hired native-speaking tutors for her - and so the child turned out to be a polyglot.

And this example is far from alone. Masaru Ibuka in his work also talks about such bilingual children (by the way, read this book - it is amazing).

If you speak English perfectly and you feel confident enough to speak only it, then no theory and articles like “where to start learning English with a child from scratch” will not need. Just speak to your baby in English. That's all.

Note: in this case, you will not be able to speak Russian with your preschooler. Other family members speak Russian to him, but you ONLY speak English.

But What should parents do who are not so confident in their English? Indeed, in this case, training using the “immersion in a language environment” method will be impossible (unless you hire a native speaker as a nanny). We will answer this question in the article.

At what age should you start learning English with your child?

A whole discussion has arisen between teachers regarding this issue: when is the best time to start, is it worth learning English with kids or not? Our answer is yes, it is worth it. But the main thing is to wait until the child completes the process of forming his native language. That is, he will have clear sound pronunciation and properly developed coherent speech. Since each child develops differently, it is impossible to give any exact time frame. But minimum ≈ from 2.5 years(Not earlier).

How to learn English with a child on your own - where to start?

The best thing send your child to a special language nursery, if possible. Then you won’t have to take on such serious responsibility, and besides, the child will have that same “separation of languages” in his mind (Russian at home, English in the nursery). And you yourself can support your child’s interest and progress with games, cartoons, songs, etc.

If you still want to learn English with your child on your own, then you can motivate him with an “English doll”. Buy a doll (you can use a glove doll) and introduce her to the baby, saying that she doesn’t understand anything in Russian. In order to communicate with the “English woman,” he will have to learn a new, but very interesting language. Well, then you play with this doll, watch cartoons, learn songs and poems... all this will be discussed below.

For example, characters from Sesame Street are perfect as a doll.

What language skills can be developed in preschoolers?

Of course, no grammar, spelling, etc. A child of preschool age can:

• perceive speech by ear,
• speak for yourself
• read (together with the parent, and then study/look at the book on his own if it interests him).

That is the child will master all the same skills English as well as Russian at this age.

By the way, you don’t have to worry too much about “speaking” and correct pronunciation of English sounds. It is we, adults, who are rebuilding our articulatory apparatus after the Russian sounds that are familiar to us. A The child will learn the correct pronunciation much sooner.

To develop this skill It's best to sing songs and learn Nursery Rhymes behind an English-speaking announcer: children's “monkeyism” and unique children's hearing will do their job. If there are still any shortcomings, then simply correct the baby, but without any complicated explanations.

We invite you to figure out English sounds yourself. Read the articles:

How to teach English with children from the very beginning: 5 concrete ways

1. Watch cartoons in English with your child. Do you think he won't understand? You are wrong :) Children at this age have incredible linguistic intuition. They may not understand the words, but the emotions in the voices of the characters and on their painted “faces” will help them, the music will help them, etc. You will be surprised, but after watching a cartoon, he may begin to repeat words from it and hum songs.

Also use special Russian-language cartoons to learn the language.

2. “Learn” English words and phrases with him(the first word is in quotation marks for a reason). These are not lessons or training sessions. This is your daily communication with your child, during which you speak English vocabulary to him.

- Mom, look - a car!
- Yes, it really is a machine. Do you know how it would be in English? Car! This is a car.

Main rules:

• Words need to be used in the context of the situation: during lunch we talk about food, while walking around the zoo we talk about animals, etc.
• Accordingly, we master only those words that are related to the child’s current life: family, colors, clothes, animals, fruits, etc.
• Any word must immediately be visually reinforced: for the word “dog” – this is a toy, a picture/photo or a shaggy and barking dog next to you :)

This visual image will help you learn new words with ease.

Another: so that your child immediately “masters” English grammar (again in quotes), tell him whole phrases. After all, if you tell him individual words, he will repeat the words, and if you tell him whole sentences, he will begin to use sentences.

- Dog!
– This is a dog!

Also, to learn new words, you can use various games, handouts (coloring books, assignments, etc.), while working with which the child will have great pleasure!

3. Learn children's songs and rhymes with him. You can find them on the sites below (or search in Yandex and Google). It is best to present the poem itself to the child in the form of a small “dramatization”, because many poems have a certain plot behind them and are easily acted out (live or on dolls).

The kid may ask you to translate the verse into Russian - you translate it, and then again act out the “performance” in front of him. The main rule: DO NOT ask your child to repeat after you. Yours the task is to interest him in this incomprehensible language. Many children can at first just listen and listen and listen, and then suddenly start “scaling” these poems by heart :)

For example, the song “Old Macdonald had a farm” has been played out in many different cartoons. Lyrics available .

Stages of working on a poem:

• First, you yourself study the content of a poem or song, practice your pronunciation (sounds in words, intonation, rhythm).
• Then you practice reading it expressively and think of a visual support for the child: a performance with toys, some kind of dance... in general, turn on your imagination!
• Now you can present your work to your child’s judgment. After this, discuss the performance with your child: what he understood, what moment he liked the most.
• Then invite your child to “join” your production and prepare a joint performance for other family members. But for this, the child will have to learn this rhyme (this will create motivation).
• You can also find (or invent) a finger or sign game based on this rhyme. Then you can periodically invite your child to play it in any suitable situations (of course, if he wants to).

4. Read books in English with your child. You can start when he already knows individual words. Simple stories will be quite understandable to children, and pictures will explain the incomprehensible.

If a book really interests him, he will take it on his own and look at it, study it (this will create motivation to learn to read). In addition, the child will “photograph” words with his eyes and remember their appearance. It turns out, your task is to interest him in reading.

Systematic learning to read begins only at 4-5 years old according to the principle from simple to complex:

An amazing website will help you teach your child to readwww.starfall.com . For example, go to this section and learn with your child to read words with the short sound /a/ (æ). Each sound is pronounced in a cheerful child's voice and is accompanied by explanatory animation. Just a find!

Where can you find books to read in English:

And remember that still An e-book can't compare to a real one., which you can touch and then leaf through with enthusiasm. So be sure to buy some colorful English books for your library!

5. Play fun games with your baby! And he won’t even notice that during this game you are teaching him something. When the child is very young, organize joint games. For a grown-up “student,” you can offer online games for learning English. Below you will find a list of both.

Learning English words for children - games

The classic way to learn new vocabulary is vocabulary cards(that is, word + translation + picture). By the way, there is a whole one on our blog.

Examples of vocabulary cards from Lingualeo. The full list is available.

But it will be even better if you create them together with your baby. Together you will select pictures, glue them to pieces of paper or cardboard, etc. Then, already during preparation for the “English language games”, the child will learn something. What to do next with the cards? Here are some options:

1. Cards can be used to play pantomime. First, you tell the baby an English word (and show it on the card), and the child must represent this word with gestures. Then you can play “reverse” pantomime - the child (or you) depicts the animal, action, object that he pulled out, and the rest of the participants guess.

2. Game “Show me”. Place several cards in front of the child, and then call out one word from this list - the child must touch the desired card.

3. “Yes-No game.” You show the cards and say the words correctly or incorrectly (when showing a hippopotamus, say “tiger”). The child answers “Yes” or “No”.

– Is it a tiger? – No!!!

4. Game “What’s missing”. Lay out a row of cards (4-5 pieces). Look at them with your baby and say the words. The child closes his eyes, and you remove one word. Tell me what's missing?

5. Game “Jump to...”. You lay out the cards on the floor in a vertical row and give the child the task of jumping to a certain word (great if the baby is bored).

These are just a few mechanics using cards. By turning on your imagination, you can come up with even more variations of games. And we will move on. What other games can I use?

5. Game “Is it. ...?”. You gradually draw an object, and the child tries to guess it. For example, draw half a circle, and the child guesses:

– Is it a ball? Is it the Sun?
– No, (continue drawing)
– Is it an apple?
– Yes!🙂

6. Another version of the game “Is it. ...?” - a card with a hole. Cut a hole in a piece of fabric (or a sheet of paper) and place it on a vocabulary card. Move the hole around the picture, and the child guesses what is hidden there.

7. Magic bag. You put different objects in a bag, and the baby takes them out and names them. An even more interesting option: he puts his hand into the bag and guesses the contents by touch.

8. Game “Touch your…nose, leg, hand…” (generally parts of the body).

“Touch your mouth,” you say, and the baby touches his mouth.

9. Games will help children learn English colors easily. For example, you give him objects of different colors and ask him to find and select things of a certain color from them (by the way, the same task can concern words starting with a certain letter, etc.).

10. Another example of playing with colors– “Find something.... in the room.”

“Find something red in the room!” - and the child looks for something of the specified color.

11. How to learn verbs. Perform some action with your baby and talk through what exactly you are doing:

- “Fly! We are flying,” and pretend that you are flying.
– “Let's sing! We are singing!” – and hold an imaginary microphone in your hands.
– “Jump! Jump!” - and you happily jump around the room.

Don't forget about role-playing games. For example, play “shop”. The child’s task is to buy groceries from an English-speaking saleswoman (that’s you). Before this, you remember words and phrases that will be useful to him in the store, and after that the child acts out this situation. This game can be played under any imaginary conditions.

And definitely act out plays, fairy tales etc. For example, invite your child to make a video or film! The girls will definitely be delighted. 🙂

Useful sites. Learning English from scratch for children: games, alphabet, videos, printable materials

When your child is older, you can invite him to play online games. Particularly when you need some free time to do things around the house.

1. Online games for children: learn the English alphabet and words

www.vocabulary.co.il

This site was already mentioned above when talking about the game “Hangman”. It has a huge number of online word games. For example, Whack a mole helps you repeat the alphabet in a fun way: you need to hit the letters with a hammer and collect the correct sequence of the alphabet.

We aim and hit the desired letter with a hammer

Or the game Word paths, where children must assemble words from available letters with a certain vowel sound. As you can see, the games are designed for different ages, which means the site will help your children for many years.

www.eslgamesplus.com

Another great site with online games for kids. For example, this game, where hidden behind the emoticons:

1. verb,
2. picture for this verb.

The task is to combine. With each attempt, the words are spoken out. Playing is a pleasure.

A game Pirate Waters Board Game also deserves special attention. First, choose a topic that the child already knows (for example, body parts). Then you throw the dice (to do this you need to click on the image of the cube) and walk along the board. You are asked a question, and you choose an answer. If it is given correctly, you roll the dice again.

If you encounter a pirate, start over. In this case the child will repeat the correct construction several times while the game is running. The only drawback is that there is no voiceover of the correct answer (which would develop auditory skills). Therefore, advice: for the first time, play with your child in order to:

1. help him understand the conditions of the game (then you won’t be able to drag him away by the ears),
2. teach him to pronounce the correct answer on his own every time (so that the constructions are stored in memory).

www.mes-english.com

This site also has printables (+ opportunity to make your own worksheets), and videos and games. Let's focus on games. For example, there is a great online vocabulary game. First, go to the Vocabulary column and listen and memorize the words. Then we go to the Question and answer section and listen to the question and answer:

– What’s this?
– It’s a Lion!

And then to the Question only column, where you and your baby need to answer.

supersimplelearning.com

This site also has cartoons, songs and games. For example, interactive alphabet games, which are suitable for beginners. Select a set of letters and a level (first Level 1).

Next, click on a letter (for example, “a”) and listen to the pronunciation of this letter (or rather, the sound, of course, but kids don’t need to know such difficulties) and the word starting with it. All this action is accompanied by a funny picture.


The voice acting and animation of the game are simply excellent!

At the next level you are asked to choose a letter based on the word you hear. At the third level - only by sound.

learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org

Another super useful site (it’s not surprising - it’s the British Council). For example, word games, where you need to match a word and a picture. Or Trolley Dash game, where you need to quickly buy all the products on your shopping list (tested: very exciting!)

www.englishexercises.org

A large number of tasks (online and for downloading). For example, you need watch the video and fill in the blanks in the right words (for older children).

Knowledge of foreign languages ​​broadens your horizons and allows you to feel at home anywhere in the world. What parent doesn’t want their child to have developed intelligence and open doors everywhere? Therefore, children are increasingly being taught foreign languages ​​from a very young age. It is believed that it is much easier for children to get used to a foreign culture than for an adult. But English for children requires a special teaching method, which we’ll talk about today. We'll tell you how to instill in your child an interest in learning and recommend ways to conduct English lessons for children easily and effectively. Let's get started!

As scientists have noted, the peculiarities of children's perception of the world help children learn foreign languages ​​more easily. Children are open to everything new, and genuine curiosity drives them to learn more and more. The parent can only direct the child’s energy in the right direction. But the question of at what age should a child be taught English is very individual.

If we talk about the recommendations of specialists, their opinions also differ. Some scientists recommend conducting the first English lessons with a child from the age of 3. Other teachers advocate a more conscious age (5-6 years), and still others argue that before 7 you shouldn’t even think about foreign languages.

Each theory has its own arguments for and against, but we will not consider them in detail. In any case, only parents decide when to start learning English for their children. To make your choice easier, here are some tips.

1. You should not start learning a second language until you have confidently mastered your native speech. This also applies to insufficient vocabulary, incorrect pronunciation, and violation of logical “object-designation” connections.
2. If the child is not yet actively striving to explore the world, it is better to wait a while until the natural need to gain knowledge manifests itself.
3. If, on the contrary, the child shows excessive activity, then you should definitely pay his attention to entertaining English lessons.
4. Think about how psychologically you yourself should start learning English for your child. At the same time, parents must understand that their children are influenced by their own example. At a minimum, it is advisable that you know English at a beginner level or expand your knowledge with your children.

If you cannot make a decision, even after carefully weighing all the pros and cons, conduct a trial lesson with your child. If the baby doesn’t like it, then it’s not time yet. And if the child remains delighted, then all parental doubts will immediately disappear. Don't be afraid to try and don't rely too much on expert opinions. All people are individual, and it’s never too late to start learning.

Thus, we have theoretically figured out the age of young students. Now let's move on to more practical issues, and we will analyze in detail the methods and recommendations for teaching English to children of different ages.

English for children aged 3-4 years

This age is the most optimal if you decide to start learning English with your child from the cradle. During this period, children turn into active “why-whys” and they are interested in almost everything around them. At the same time, kids think in bright and simple images, which help them remember new information easily and quickly. Therefore, foreign language lessons for children aged 2.5 - 4 years old will certainly bear fruit. But it is very important to choose the right format for English classes for kids.

Where to begin

Little children are carefree and spontaneous, so there is no need to meticulously explain to them the rules of the language. English lessons for children should be held exclusively in a playful way: your child should not feel any moralizing, coercion or demands. With a forceful approach, you will not only teach your child nothing, but also, on the contrary, you will form a hateful attitude towards any foreign languages. Therefore, be very careful: it is better to have spontaneous lessons for 10-15 minutes in the form of a game than 30-minute lessons in the full sense of the word.

If we talk about where to start the process of learning English with children, then there are many options. Among them:

• Alphabet;
• Greeting phrases;
• Designations of family members;
• Numbers, colors, etc.

But again, don't expect strict and consistent training like adults. Try to offer topics that interest your child, for example, learning words about animals or colors in English together. Say a word, and let the baby repeat after you, or, for example, show a card with such a picture.

In general, the presentation of material should be very dynamic and varied. Don’t make your child get bored, let alone tired of long explanations. Try to use fun and playful methods to teach English to young children. We have listed some of them below.

Songs

Educational songs are one of the best ways to teach English to young children. Fun music quickly attracts children's attention and activates auditory memory. This is how the kids have fun and at the same time remember English vocabulary easily and quickly.

It is also very effective to include videos with songs for kids. A bright video illustrating the plot of the song will further attract attention and help engage visual memory in the work. And after a couple of training sessions, move on to performing songs on your own with your child. You can also add fun dancing or play with the images of objects/animals that are discussed in the song.

In general, such entertaining lessons will develop the following skills in children:

• Interest in learning foreign languages;
• Knowledge of English words;
• Ability to recognize English by ear;
• Ability to speak independently (repeating memorized phrases).

And, of course, the children’s memory functioning and general development of intelligence will improve.

Fairy tales

Another effective method with which you can effectively teach English to children under 7 years old. What child doesn’t love to hear about the adventures of fairy-tale characters, especially when mom or dad talk about them.

Other English topics: Irregular verbs of the English language - table with translation, grade 6

Read fairy tales to your child as you always do, only now slowly add elements of the English language to them. First, one or two words that are familiar to the child, and later try to study with adapted versions of English fairy tales. Be sure to read the texts playfully: with changing your voice, showing scenes, gestures, etc. The brighter the images, the more interesting it is for children.

Games

And the children’s favorite pastime is outdoor games, fun and logical guessing games. All these elements also need to be actively used when teaching English to children.

The simplest thing is to tell your child English words using educational cards. You show the card and the child names it (or vice versa). Another fun game: the parent portrays a fairy-tale character, animal, bird or object, and the child must name the hidden character in English. You can also just walk outside and name the colors of surrounding objects.

There are many options, the only thing I would like to note is that we would not recommend accustoming your child to electronic games at this age. Do not leave children's education to computers, tablets and other gadgets. Only by your own positive example and participation can you impart the best knowledge and skills into your child.

English for children 5-7 years old

Preschoolers have not yet lost their childish interest in the world around them, but they are already more serious than three- and four-year-olds. Therefore, many parents believe that this is the best age to start learning English. Lessons for preschool children are also conducted in a playful way and do not take much time, but the methods of learning English for preschool children are, naturally, slightly different.

Vocabulary

English lessons for children over 5 years old are always mostly about learning new words. English grammar is still too difficult for this age, and the letters are too simple. So this period is ideal for developing an active vocabulary in a child.

It is better for preschoolers to study vocabulary on certain topics. It would be good if these were vocabulary cards with bright pictures that reveal the meaning of the word. Firstly, a beautiful design in itself will attract children's attention, and secondly, with a picture the word is simply easier to remember. In addition, you can play exciting educational games with cards, but more on that later.

Vocabulary is also mastered in the process of studying children's rhymes, songs, and fairy tales.

Dialogues

To prevent your child from forgetting the vocabulary he has learned, add more English phrases to your conversations. For example, instead of good morning, say “ Goodmorningmyson (mydaughter)”, provoking the child to also answer in English. Of course, you shouldn’t go too far and constantly communicate in a foreign language. It is enough to use several popular phrases per day.

Also, English lessons for children 6 years old and older can be conducted by acting out small scenes. For example, you can use hand puppets and repeat the lines of characters from your favorite fairy tales. Or just play with dolls, making up a simple conversation:

• -Hello!
• -Hi!
• -Mynameis… etc.

It is advisable for the parent to say the line first, and the child to repeat after him, substituting the characteristics of his character.

Cartoons

First of all, foreign language classes should be interesting to the children themselves. And educational English cartoons will perfectly help parents in developing interest in learning in their preschoolers.

Play small colorful videos and watch them with your baby. Fortunately, today on the Internet you can easily find educational videos in English for children of any age. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to explain to the child in detail that we are not just watching a cartoon, but learning a new language. Give your child time, and he will become involved in the process and will be able to understand the simplest lines of the characters. Then it’s the parent’s job to do a short discussion after watching and consolidate the vocabulary heard.

With the right approach, such entertaining English lessons for children five to six years old are simply irreplaceable. After all, such activities arouse interest in the baby and help develop all the necessary speech skills:

• A set of new vocabulary;
• Understanding English by ear;
• Speaking (repetition of phrases + discussion with parents);
• Correct pronunciation.

In addition, this technique is very useful for general development, because cartoons reveal everyday moments and explain important life principles to children in an accessible form.

Games

As with small children, English for children 5 or 6 years old is always taught in a playful way. Therefore, organize various mini-games, contests or competitions more often.

So, with the help of cards you can play “ guess the odd one out": 3 cards on one theme are laid out, and a fourth is added from another deck. The child’s task is to remove the unnecessary card. There is an interesting variation of this memory game: 3-4 cards are laid out in a row, then the child closes his eyes, and the parents remove 1 card. The child must name exactly which card was removed.

You can also play with preschoolers in " who knows more words», « guess quickly», « sea ​​figure freeze», « crocodile" and so on. The main thing is not to forget that victory and parental praise are very important for children. Therefore, speak kindly to your child more often, encourage him if he loses, and admire his successes when the baby wins. A warm attitude and interesting games, and even more so victories in them, motivate the child to study English more and more often.

This is how they teach English for children 7 years old. In fact, in preschool age children are just getting acquainted with the language, getting used to its sound and new words. But the role of such an easy game is very important: it liberates the children, and subsequently they will not have a language barrier, i.e. fear of speaking a foreign language. On the contrary, the second language will be perceived as a natural and necessary thing.

English for younger students

And finally, the final period of childhood refers to elementary school. Here the parent’s task is to engage more with the child, explaining points that have not been considered in the school curriculum. At school, the teacher often does not have time to explain the lesson clearly, and a 1st grade student is not always able to concentrate and understand the material. Therefore, carefully monitor your child’s school progress and help him understand the curriculum.

Other English topics: English fairy tales with Russian translation for toddlers and older children

In general, English for children aged 7-10 years is also partly taught in the format of a game, but with the active introduction of serious grammatical points. At this age, the conscious formation of language skills begins, so classes should be aimed at the comprehensive development of the child.

Reading

In our first English classes at school, we, of course, learn letters and their pronunciation. This level is necessary because not all children studied a foreign language before entering first grade. Then, according to the curriculum, there are reading rules, but in fact they are taught very crumpled, and children do not have time to fully master such an important topic. Therefore, this moment is filled in at home.

Carry out the training gradually, mastering no more than 1-2 rules per lesson with your child. Such small loads will not become an unbearable burden and, taking into account regular repetitions, will significantly improve the child’s English skills. On weekends, improve your reading skills with short, adapted texts for primary school-aged children. They will help you consolidate the rules you’ve learned and get acquainted with new vocabulary.

Dialogues

It's no secret that a language was created to be spoken. Therefore, foreign speech must be constantly practiced in conversation.

Of course, for first-graders such a task will be too difficult, but for 2nd grade students, perhaps, they are already able to independently compose a sentence from several words. But remember that classes should not be forced: English for children aged 8 is still the same game. Therefore, just occasionally, depending on the child’s mood, exchange a few general phrases with him or play “ name/describe the object" For this game, knowledge of the simplest constructions is enough:

• Itisabanana. Thisbananaisyellow. Ilikeitverymuch. And what is it? —This is a banana. This banana is yellow. I really like him. What is it?

Such a dialogue, with the proper level of preparation, is possible even for a 5-year-old child, let alone second graders. By the age of ten, children will be able to form common sentences and use basic English tenses.

Grammar

Learning the rules of grammar is the very moment when English for schoolchildren ceases to be an entertaining game. Most children find grammar difficult, which is due to short school lessons and not always clear explanations from teachers. Therefore, grammatical topics need to be intensively studied in home classes.

English grammar for children 7-9 years old is taught in a semi-game form. The basic rule is briefly explained and then reinforced by reading short stories, speaking dialogues and doing exercises. At the same time, the material is presented in the most simplified form: children do not need to know exceptions and special cases at the initial stage, because unnecessary information will only confuse the child.

It is also recommended to use electronic materials to study grammar. These could be presentations, training videos, mini-games and tests. The more diverse the presentation of the topic, the more parts of the brain are involved in the work, and, accordingly, the material is easier for children to assimilate. The main thing to remember is that any rule must not only be learned, but also be able to be used in speech.

Tests

Junior schoolchildren also cannot do without tests to check the topics they have studied.

Children in grades 1-2 are usually given a short oral survey, which is not much different from a dialogue game. The guys also solve very easy tests. For children 9-10 years old, they give more difficult work: correct specially made mistakes, answer a question, make a proposal on their own. Tests are becoming more diverse; now tasks require not just choosing an answer, but supplementing it with your own words.

But starting from the age of 12 or even 11, when tenses and irregular verbs are actively being mastered, almost every lesson ends with tests. And this is the right approach, because... Every detail of theory learned must be practiced.

Children, of course, perceive checks without enthusiasm. But the parents’ task is to convince the child that he can easily cope with the tasks because he is smart and capable. Praise more often and be less strict with mistakes made. It is better to calmly explain where the child was wrong and do the work again later than to yell and develop a hatred of learning in children.

Games and websites

Everyone loves to have fun, so the gaming method is effective for children as young as 3 years old, as young as 9 years old, and even as young as 15-16. For younger groups, it is recommended to conduct more outdoor and oral games, and English for children from 10 years old can be diversified with the help of electronic games and applications. However, in moderation, a computer will not harm children.

These are the fun ways to teach English to children of different ages. Good luck in your classes and see you again!

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristippus argued that children should be taught what will be useful to them when they grow up. Millennia have passed, but this wisdom is still relevant today: every parent is trying to make a feasible contribution to the future of their child. We want to help you in this matter, so we have put together for you a selection of 9 wonderful sites for learning English for children.

We would like to make a reservation right away: although our selection consists of sites for children, it can also be used by adults. Such sites are especially valuable for those who learn English at the Beginner and Elementary levels: all information is presented in an accessible manner and practiced in practical exercises. Sometimes it's nice to feel like a child!

1. study-languages-online.com

The first resource we offer is a Russian-language site. It is extremely simple; it will be convenient for a child who is just beginning to learn the basics of the English language. You can teach your child the English alphabet with the help of exercises on this resource. The name of each letter is voiced and written in Russian letters. Here you can study words divided by topic. Each word has a translation and sound recording, so ask your child to repeat the words after the speaker. After studying the words, it is proposed to perform several different exercises to consolidate the material. For schoolchildren, the site presents a grammar study block. It should be said that theoretical knowledge and explanations are still lacking, but you can practice a lot in the exercises.

2. teremoc.ru

Another Russian-language site for learning English for children. Follow the link to find dozens of educational games. Thus, the child will learn the alphabet, learn to count in English, and also acquire a small vocabulary. Schoolchildren will not only learn new words, but also remember their spelling, so that in the classroom your child will be able to show off his knowledge. In addition, such games are useful for developing a child’s memory.

3.freddiesville.com

This site is presented entirely in English, but if you know the basics of English, you can easily understand it and help your child study. The resource is a treasure trove of simple visual video lessons for children. All site materials are free. Go to the Lessons tab, it contains educational videos divided by difficulty level: from lessons for preschoolers with simple words to small dialogues for older children. The pronunciation is clear and correct, the characters in the video speak at a normal pace, so that the child will have time to repeat after them. The Games tab features dozens of different colorful online games that will help your child consolidate their acquired knowledge in a fun way. In the Worksheets tab you will find a variety of printable learning materials. We also recommend using the following exercises: your child will enjoy solving crossword puzzles and at the same time remembering new words.

4.starfall.com

This site, although in English, is easy to use. Even if you don’t speak English very well, you will still have an intuitive understanding of where to go and what to do. The first tab presents exercises for learning the alphabet: the child will learn letters and simple words that begin with these letters. The second tab is exercises for learning reading rules: the child will learn to read various combinations of letters correctly. The remaining two tabs contain short illustrated reading texts. Absolutely all words on the site are voiced, the child can listen to their correct pronunciation. Bright design and interesting simple stories will appeal to all children.

5.childrensbooksonline.org

This resource for learning English for children provides free scanned books and audiobooks. On the Books with Audio tab, you can read and listen to a book at the same time. The text is voiced by a professional speaker, so you can repeat the words after him, trying to copy the correct pronunciation. There is also a convenient breakdown of books by difficulty level. If your child has just started learning English, start with the Pre-Reader and Very Early Readers tab, there are very simple books with a minimum of text, as well as books for learning the alphabet and numbers in English. And if you want to improve your knowledge, check out the books on the Adult Readers tab; more complex texts for an adult audience of readers are presented here.

6. funenglishgames.com

The exercises on this site are suitable for older children and adults who have reached the Elementary – Pre-Intermediate level. The tasks are more complex than on previous resources and less colorful, but they are conveniently divided by topic. So, you can develop your reading skill with exercises from the Reading Games section, improve your grammar knowledge on the Grammar Games tab, learn to write simple sentences on Writing Games, expand your vocabulary on Word Games and improve your spelling with Spelling Games.

7.cambridgeenglish.org

The site contains songs and exercises to increase a child's vocabulary. Interactive tasks are simple and understandable even for those who have just started learning the language, and bright images will help you remember new words faster. All exercises are grouped into three difficulty levels. Invite your child to start with the simplest and gradually move to the last level. At the same time, periodically ask the child to return to the first level so that he can repeat the words.

8. multimedia-english.com

This resource contains a variety of videos for children. Almost every video has either built-in subtitles or recording text. If your child is just starting to learn the basics of English, go to the Basic Real English tab, where you will find the simplest videos with the basics. Good educational videos for improving your vocabulary can be found in the Vocabulary tab. The Lessons tab has video lessons on learning English for children, and on Cartoons and Songs you can find cartoons and songs in English.

9.englishclub.com

This site provides exercises for learning simple English words and tests for them. The child will learn to count in English, learn the alphabet, colors, shapes, etc. Also on this page you will find simple stories in English that you can read together with your child. The text uses frequently used words, so you can write down unfamiliar vocabulary and invite your child to study it.

Now you know 9 great sites for learning English for children. Together with your child, choose the ones he likes and help him chew on the granite of English science. Don’t forget about your English: on children’s websites you can learn a lot of useful vocabulary for beginners, and learning the language with your child will be doubly interesting!

Children learn English in primary school, but how many of them can speak it? Alas, most are not able to use knowledge in real communication even after graduating from school. At the YES Center, absolutely everyone speaks English, starting from the first year of study, from the first lessons.

The course does not replace the school curriculum, but compensates for its shortcomings. It opens up new perspectives for the child, gives deeper knowledge and prepares him to communicate with people anywhere in the world.

Disadvantages of the school program

Why are out-of-school English classes necessary for children aged 6-10? The peculiarities of mass education and the practice of assessing results according to formal criteria have led to the fact that at school English as a subject is taught in the same way as native Russian: the structure of vocabulary, laws, and exceptions are clarified. But its peculiarity is that children do not know the language whose rules they teach. The process proceeds “from the opposite direction” and is therefore ineffective.

It’s more natural to teach differently: first get the child talking using standard lexical structures, then systematize what is known and gradually add new words and rules, without separating this process from intensive speech practice.

The same goes for reading and writing. Where does the school curriculum begin? From learning the alphabet. Imagine that you would ask a non-speaking two-year-old child to learn the alphabet of his native language, and then teach him to speak. This is exactly the situation a primary school student finds himself in when he starts his first English lessons.

In primary school, children have to memorize vocabulary without sufficient verbal support. Conversational practice is dominated by ready-made dialogues; there is a shortage of improvised communication and detailed answers.

An attempt to go against the laws of nature yields bitter results - school graduates read and translate well, but are not able to initiate and maintain a simple conversation with a foreigner.

5 secrets of teaching English to junior schoolchildren at the YES Center

There are a number of rules, organizational and methodological, that turn the study of English by primary schoolchildren into an exciting and effective process. An additional effect from our classes is inspiration, openness and self-confidence. Many believe that this is even more valuable than knowledge of the language, and we are ready to agree with this.

Secrets of successful learning according to the YES Language Center:

1. Analysis of the structure of language follows speech, and not vice versa. Children first learn to speak, communicate, share thoughts and emotions, and then figure out the patterns of grammar, rules of writing and reading.
2. The immersion technique makes it possible to simplify the perception of foreign languages, as it is as close as possible to how children master their native speech.
3. Limiting the number of students in a group (no more than eight) makes it possible for the teacher to become closely acquainted with the interests and characteristics of each child, which will certainly be taken into account when choosing current lexical topics.
4. There is no practice in counting errors and grading. Activity and overcoming are encouraged, and successes make the student rejoice and be proud of himself - this is cooler than an “A” in a magazine.
5. Any initiatives towards learning and using the language are supported. We always help students in implementing real-life and educational projects.

If a student enrolls in our courses, he will certainly speak English and know more of the language than is provided by the school curriculum.

When should I send my junior high school student to English courses?

The earlier the better. Frankly speaking, it would be good to teach your child to speak English a year or two before entering first grade, so that by the time he goes to school he will already have a feel for the language. Already having such a base, it is logical to begin studying linguistic structures.

If you couldn’t do this, it doesn’t matter. You can contact the Language Center at any time. In teaching younger schoolchildren, we take into account the specifics of the period and in some way coordinate our program with the school program so that they do not conflict, but support each other. If at school a teacher does not have the opportunity to deviate from the program and pay more attention to the child, give him more language practice, then we have both the opportunity and an excellent methodology.

The goal of our training is for children to master the language for full communication and to use it without embarrassment when the need arises.

In what grade will your child begin English courses?

First class: conversational ahead

Considering that the subject “English” is introduced in the second grade, starting its study from the first grade is a very good option. In this case, it is possible to build the correct chain: first listening, speaking, communication, then grammar, reading and writing.

With us, the child plunges headlong into the language environment and perceives a new language as the discovery of new opportunities. First-graders are trained intensively in order to achieve a good level by the time they join the school program.

By the end of the first year at the Center, children speak confidently among themselves. They have studied several lexical topics and feel free within this topic. They do not yet know the rules of grammar, but they feel the logic of statements on an intuitive level, due to extensive and varied practice. The child is ready to perceive the school curriculum and to structure the acquired knowledge.

This does not mean that education at the Center should not be continued into the second grade and beyond. Nowhere else will he receive such voluminous, emotional, fruitful support. In the future, we will lead him to a positive perception of writing and reading, establish clear grammatical patterns, his speech will continuously develop, and his vocabulary will be enriched. A unique technique means a unique result.

The beginnings of grammar, writing and reading are introduced after achieving the minimum required conversational base (ideally, if the child has undergone oral training in preschool age, then he will receive a lot of practice in spoken English, his active (active!) vocabulary contains vocabulary on several current topics. The child is ready for structuring the acquired knowledge.

Second grade: parallel learning

A child who begins studying English in our courses in the second grade manages to gain initial conversational practice in the first two to three months, while the alphabet is being taught at school. By the time he analyzed the grammatical features of English, he had already gained experience in speaking and using language to achieve his goals, to express desires and thoughts. He felt the simplicity and clarity of communication. It’s easier for him than for his non-speaking classmates - at least he understands what language they have started learning.

In the future, active language practice in the courses continues, and this is so lacking in school.

Third-fourth grade: another level

Has your child taken classes for third grade? The stage of advanced learning of oral English has been missed, but there is a great opportunity to take learning to a new level.

At school they study according to a formal program, in which visualization, visualization and playful moments in the lesson more or less correspond to age characteristics, but there is no natural sequence of familiarization with the language and the proportions of grammar and detailed initiated conversation are violated.

If we take each student individually, how many minutes does he speak on his own in class? Simple arithmetic shows that no more than a minute or two. Sometimes he does not manage to say a word during the entire lesson, unless he repeats after the teacher along with everyone else, but this cannot be considered an active use of language. How can you speak without saying anything? How to understand grammar without putting it into practice?

Teaching English to younger schoolchildren, we see how happy they are to find themselves in a communication environment where difficult things turn out to be simple and understandable, where they talk themselves, and not just listen to the teacher and take notes. Where they spend time having fun and with undoubted benefit.

There are no more than 8 people in the group, the teacher knows everyone and organizes classes so that the children speak continuously, on topics that are clearly interesting to them. They quickly reach the level of fluent spontaneous speech.

Everything that the child did not understand from the school curriculum is presented differently, vividly, with examples. Grammatical constructions are immediately put into practice, their patterns become clear and are not just remembered, but become part of the active language.

English for life

For English to truly become a second language for a child, a primary school student needs to learn it in an immersion atmosphere and use it constantly. Such conditions have been created at the YES Center. Give your child a second language of communication that he will speak easily and competently.