It is not easy teaching your child a second language. But it is a rewarding experience teaching them and you can open their young to explore a new world of sights and sounds. Even if you’re not entirely fluent in another tongue, here are 5 simple ways you can help your child learn to speak a second language confidently and easily.
1. Remember the earlier, the better. By the age of two, a child’s brain is sucking up and processing all the information he or she comes in contact with, so it’s an ideal time to start learning a second language. You may think, “But he hasn’t even mastered ENGLISH yet!” That’s okay! Believe it or not, children can easily juggle two (or more) languages at once without the difficulty that their adult counterparts may have if they try to learn the same language when they’re older. Learning two separate languages will also not hinder your child’s reading or speaking ability. In fact, it will actually improve and broaden their vocabulary as they get older, since many foreign language words are used in English as well.
2. It is better to teach your child with some simple words and basic greetings first. Learning a language does take time and repetition, so only move on when your child feels comfortable and confident in using what he or she has already learned. If you’re not completely fluent yourself, but still want your child to have the benefit of a second language, purchase a good dictionary and work book to reinforce what you already know so that you can teach it to your child.
3. You can try to make studying language to be a fun time by setting aside a special “Language-Only” time. Practice the language together with your child through music, books or videos and use this time to speak and play together using only the second language. It’s a great way to build up the child’s interest in another culture and will help him learn the language more completely and thoroughly.
4. If your significant other speaks a foreign language, consider having him or her speak only in the foreign language to the child, while you speak to them in English. This will quickly help the child understand each language’s structure and differences, and he won’t be as likely to get confused. Remember though, language learning is a slow by steady process. Let your child know not to worry about making a mistake or sounding silly. That’s the only way he or she will become confident enough to speak the language on a regular basis.
5. Whenever possible, immerse your child in the second language as often as you can. Taking trips to the place where the language is spoken is a great way to make a language feel “real” to a child. Children mimic what they see, so seeing others speak and use the language in their day-to-day lives will show him that he can do the same!
The most important thing of all is to treat learning a second language like a fun “adventure” rather than a tedious chore. If you keep these tips in mind, it won’t be long before your child is equally comfortable and proficient in both languages! Good luck!
Posts Tagged ‘Repetition’
Teach Kids A Second Language
January 2nd, 2010Learn Spanish
December 29th, 2009Language Course Teaches Spanish, French & Mandarin Chinese
Whether you are learning Spanish, French, or Mandarin Chinese, the best way to approach it is by constant reading, listening and repeating what you have learnt so far. ‘Loquella’ offers you the ideal tools and guidance to learn Spanish, French and Chinese. The only criterion is an apt learner and the willingness to imbibe the patterns and methods suggested in the lessons.
Having realized that it may not be possible for all of you who want to learn the language to attend a proper class, their online courses have been designed to suit the needs of the average learner who can progress with the language at his/her own pace.
The site has listening programs where you can use your earphones, or simply turn on your speakers to listen to the lessons being conducted by our speakers.
Once you log on to the website, you have a choice of four options from where you can choose to Learn Spanish in your preferred method. Starting from level 1, there are 63 Spanish lessons that you can take. Each of these Spanish lessons will teach you about 500 to 1000 Spanish sentences. By the time you have gone through all the levels, you should become proficient in the language.
To ease beginners into the language there are several options for how to approach the lessons. Whether you want to repeat a sentence or get the exact pronunciation of a particular phrase, you have all the options in front of you in the form of the click of the mouse.
The language lessons are based on the material created by the Foreign Service Institute. The method is based on drills of “over-learning” and “guided imitation”, which form the basis of our teaching patterns. Though the method of repetition might seem boring initially, trust us when we say that it is the tried and tested method of learning Spanish. You might take heart knowing that foreign diplomats have been taught new languages using these methods.
The site is geared at all kinds of people who want to Learn Spanish, so whether you are a student planning to study abroad or a diplomat visiting Spain, they cater to everyone. In order to make this exercise more fun and easy to learn, Loquella also offers the lessons as an iPod download. The iPod lessons allow students to practice their lessons whenever, and wherever they want.
The Spanish lessons conducted through your iPod allow you to see the written text in the screen of your iPod. You will simultaneously hear the audio in your ear piece. You will be able to skip forward and backwards when necessary by using the keys on your iPod. So, log on to Loquella, the next time you want to learn Spanish or recommend the site to a friend, who has a desire to learn the language for an easy option of learning the language at your own convenience.
The Easiest Way To Learn Languages
December 12th, 2009The easiest way to learn languages cannot be found in one single method. The truth is, there are many different ways to learn languages that are friendly to foreign language novices and virtually costs nothing. If you are looking for the easiest way to learn languages, you may want to start by getting yourself a dictionary of whatever language you wish to learn and start looking up random words that are often used in everyday conversations. Do not get intimidated when you do not get the words and their definition right away. It is understandable especially if you have been speaking only one language, like English, for a very long time. Language audio tapes could also come in handy. In fact, it is better if you have a dictionary and an audio tape of the language you are trying to learn for purposes of learning the correct pronunciation of the words. Remember that pronunciation is an essential part of diction in most languages. The easiest way to learn languages includes a lot of repetition. Learning languages is about the same as learning to speak your very first word as a child. It needs to be repeated to you over and over before you start saying it correctly. It sounds silly but that is really how the human brain works. It is like a sponge that absorbs information. Furthermore, the information that the brain can best absorb are those that are presents more frequently than the rest. Expose yourself to native speakers of the language you want to learn. What can perhaps be considered as the easiest way to learn languages is to be among those who speak them fluently. If you are lucky enough to know such people, take time and make an effort to get to know them and try conversing with them in their native tongue. Chances are, they will correct you whenever you mispronounce or misuse a word. It is also a great way of knowing how the words and sentences are actually spoken in regular conversations. Language manuals can be very technical sometimes that what you learn from it may sound very formal compared to what is normally used. When you learn enough words and sentences in your chosen language, make it a habit to vocalize them. Yes, you have to say those words and sentences out loud. It does not matter if you find yourself silly doing it because it is a very effective way to master a foreign language and it will surely pay off. If at all possible, have a partner when you are starting to learn languages. Perhaps your husband or your wife or even a friend may become interested in joining you to learn languages. It is very easy to learn something when you have somebody to practice with. You can do the vocal exercises together and check on each other’s progress as you go along. The easiest way to learn languages will be optimized with a well enthused learner like yourself.
