If you are living in an English-speaking country, then you’re probably not aware of how important knowing a second language is. However, learning a language is definitely not the easiest task that you can give yourself, and the older you get, the more difficult it becomes. Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to communicate in Spanish, or go to Rome and know how to order pizza in Italian? Also, don’t you think that it would be a great idea to be able to make new business deals in Europe by speaking German? On the other hand, if English is not your mother tongue, then you know you simply have to master it. This is why, if you have kids, it would be an amazing idea to enroll them in a second language course now (the sooner the better). Take a look at some of the tips that will help your children learn their second language faster:
Use the perks of technology
First and foremost, you will most certainly have to use the perks of technology by letting your child play different games that are intended for language learning, or letting them use different apps that will make them get to know that specific language a bit more. Nowadays, the majority of kids play on tablets and smartphones, so if your kid knows how to read, then changing the language on the gadget to a foreign one might be a great idea. If your kid is too young to read, though, there are plenty of tools and apps that you can install in order to help them learn the language faster.
Think of a language center
Even though your kid is a sponge and they will absorb the language very fast, they need to be given the opportunity to do so. How can your kids learn a language if they are not in touch with it? So, one of the best options would be to think about language centers. There are plenty of centers and schools all over the globe, but you need to make sure that you choose the right one. It would be the best to opt for language school chains, such as the Monkey Tree English learning center that is present in many different countries and cities such as Hong Kong, for example, as not only does this serve as a good proof that the center is good, but it can also be a time-saver as you can choose one among plenty of locations. It doesn’t matter what language you want your kid to learn – English, Chinese, Arabic, Spanish; finding the perfect school that is trusted is the right thing to do.
Movies and books
Watching movies and cartoons and reading books doesn’t only have to be a pastime. These are also very valuable tools that can help one learn a different language, regardless of age, as this is an incredible way for adults to learn a language as well. But since we’re talking about kids, the good thing is that the more they are in touch with a foreign language, the easier their learning process is going to be, and they will master their speaking skills faster. It is very important to know that grammar and being grammatically correct is not the most important thing, especially not at an early age. You want your kid to feel free and confident while speaking the language, with fluency being the #1 goal. Apart from finding movies in a foreign language, you can also find a movie in the language of your kid and put subtitles in the language you want them to learn.
Help them experience the country
Finally, there is always the amazing idea of combining pleasure and… well, not exactly business, but let’s call it that. So, booking plane tickets and accommodation and actually visiting the country of the language your kid is learning is an amazing way to help your kid experience the language first-hand. When you arrive at your destination, let your kid order certain things in a cafe or at McDonald’s, or simply take them someplace where there are not a lot of tourists, just to hear the language a bit more. Apart from that, this makes the trip even more authentic. Go to museums and tell them why this country is important, as this is what will make them more interested in the language and country itself.
It might be easier for kids to learn a language, but that doesn’t mean that they actually want to. Because of that, make them interested in the language and tell them why it is important to speak another language apart from their own.