At what age should children be taught English? There are so many opinions around that it is easy to get confused, and given that this is such an important issue, English is very necessary! – becomes quite nervous. What to believe parents? We debunk all the myths about when you can start learning a language – scroll down as soon as possible! =)
First you need to learn your native language
Many people think that in order to effectively learn English, a child first needs to learn another native language well: “He still cannot connect two words, English will be too difficult for him!” It is a myth!
This misconception is due to the fact that the parent tries on learning a new language for himself. And from this point of view, it is really difficult. But a child learns a language differently than an adult does.
The kid learns new words and grammar on his own, without any effort. From about 2 years old, he memorizes 10-15 words every month. At this time, you can start learning a second language.
If you start classes from 2-3 years old, by 5-6 years old children will be able to speak English as well as in their native language. A child can build vocabulary in two languages without compromising any of them!
Best of all, the kid learns English when the teacher speaks only English with him and does not switch. For example, when teachers are only native speakers. the child can only speak to them in English, so the second language is quickly mastered.
You can start teaching at the age of 8-10, why rush?
Many people think that if a child starts learning a language at the age of 8 – as is usually the case in a simple educational school – he will learn the rules faster and will speak better. It is a myth!
Yes, even if you start learning a language at the age of 8, there will be progress in a couple of months. But at this age, the child has to make much more effort to learn new words or grammar. The second language is already perceived as a foreign one.
At 3 or 4 years old, the baby does not need to put in so much effort. The child has not yet fully mastered his native language, so the second one will be remembered simply in parallel. For example, three-year-old children, when they enter a kindergarten in another country, can freely communicate with their peers after two months.
Online English school experts recommend teaching a child English from the age of 4. It is for this age that our program of 4-5 years is designed. Native teachers use exactly those methods that are effective for kids of this age:
All classes are held in a playful way – for children under 5 years old this is the best format for learning new things;
Lessons last up to 25 minutes so that little students do not get tired.
The child speaks a lot, so he learns grammar and new words much faster.
And, of course, a convenient platform helps to relax, immerse and charge the child with a good mood – after all, to learn a language, you don’t need to go anywhere and you can study at home!
Babies don’t even think about what they say in English.
It is a myth! Children meaningfully build sentences and phrases as soon as a particular word appears in their vocabulary – from 2 years old and earlier!
Therefore, be sure when your baby comes running to you and says something in English – whether it’s a new color or the name of an animal – he understands what he is saying and why.
We use this. Children learn each word in connection with others, and teachers play with students the game “pick another word for this word” – therefore, children immediately learn to speak meaningfully, not in separate words, but in phrases.
It will take constant practice
But this is the truth! Practice is needed for everything – reading, writing, sports. Children even learn to walk only due to the fact that they constantly practice.
It’s all about the practice. In order for the baby to speak the language, he must speak. Do not memorize rules and new words, but constantly use them in speech.
The child talks about himself, his favorite toys and hobbies. Teachers not only apply advanced teaching methods, but also become true friends to children. Therefore, this practice is not only effective, but also very pleasant!
Kids can’t learn that much
Myth! Even the smallest children have strength, attentiveness and perseverance – that’s why they need to be directed in the right direction.
Yes, if a small child sits for hours over textbooks, there will be no benefit. However, children are quite able to concentrate, maintain and switch attention. Do not be afraid of “overload” – you just need to choose the right duration of classes.
In the lessons last 25 minutes – this is quite enough to learn a couple of new rules, a few new words, play, talk on a few topics and reinforce everything that has been covered. During this time, the student does not get tired and at the same time learns a lot of new things.
They only play with small children in the classroom, but games are of no use
It is a myth! There is a lot of sense from games.
First, for a child, play is the only way to remember something. He still does not know how to think and learn like an adult, so he remembers everything through the game. If it is built correctly, then the child will easily memorize new words and use them.
Secondly, the game is often associated with positive emotions. When a child learns a language in a playful way, he begins to associate with something pleasant. The kid does not have to be persuaded to do it.
Therefore, children play several times in 25 minutes of a lesson – and all these games help to learn new words, remember grammar and learn how to use it in speech.
And the child has his own game account! In it, he communicates with other children, completes quests, receives in-game currency – stars – and spends it, and in the process of all this, they learn English!
