Pavel Burtovoy
Video designer of the St. Petersburg media channel “First Popular Television”. He is interested in cinema, animation and everything connected with it.
My son has been studying English at school for the second year. I recently discovered that his knowledge in this area is simply terrible. Problems were found even with the alphabet. Something had to be done.
Good night is another chance to sing the nun in English to our children. It is often recommended to choose books in English at a slightly younger age than our childhood years. If you are familiar with the first words in English, we can choose a window book or rich pictures containing new vocabulary to learn. It is best to start with simple stories and books with pictures that accompany the text to make it easier to understand. Reading the same book several times will help you memorize vocabulary and syntax structures.
For some reason, the method of memorizing words using double-sided cards did not work in our situation. Probably due to poor knowledge of the alphabet. I’m generally silent about different programs for smartphones: the child’s interest in learning a language is not zero, but rather negative, so that these programs can interest him.
I had to, based on the experience of my predecessors, develop and test my own method. Well, personally manage the learning process.
Many of the games we make with young children can be replayed. For example, we can play hide and seek or cuckoo asking in English where the child or hidden object is. Among the simplest games for learning new words, we can introduce memory or swap using clear and well-illustrated cards.
We are probably already in the house of cartoons that we can watch with children, choosing. It is better to start serially with short bets, because the cartoon may be too complex. The new frontier of learning for the youngest is technology. Many are free and have educational programs that increase child welfare.
A little theory
Memorization can be reduced to a cyclical process of three components:
- Perception.
- Repetition.
- Testing.
When we want a child to remember information, the task becomes more complicated: it is not clear how well he perceived it, how many times he repeated it, and testing a student leads to stress and negative emotions in case of a bad result.
As children study Italian in contact with their mother, they also have difficulty learning English language, interacting with a native speaker. There are specialized institutions for selecting specialized colleges. The information contained on this site is not intended and should in no way replace direct communication between healthcare professionals and the reader.
English is the official language of more than 50 countries. It is estimated that more than 1 billion and a half people in the world speak English. There are so many benefits to learning a little English, so it starts today! To help you, there are plenty of great English resources in this article. Take advantage of our resources.
Let's look at all three components of the memorization process and how they can be improved.
Perception
For high-quality perception, it is desirable to use as many types of memory as possible: auditory, visual, motor. You can also add a variety such as verbal memory.
Repetition
When repeating material, oddly enough, effective method It turned out to be multiple recordings of the subjects being studied with their simultaneous pronunciation.
English for children: how and why to start right away
Most children will still learn the language at school, so why should you invest the time to teach English to children at home? There are many good reasons!
Creating a learning environment that promotes learning
Most children start learning English in high school or middle school, i.e. from 10 to 14 years. At this point, language learning occurs in a formal context, and vows are the only motivation for success. Homework, in-class assignments, and classes can actually prevent teens from learning a language.I read about this method in the memoirs of a Soviet intelligence officer. He called this technique the most effective for increasing vocabulary.
The effectiveness of the combination of repeated rewriting of words with their simultaneous pronunciation can be explained by the fact that all possible types of memory are involved in the process.
Often, one-classroom methods provide one or two learning styles and leave out children who, for example, learn through tactile or physical activities. This is where starting as soon as possible becomes necessary. When children's English is introduced through games, songs or cartoon characters that can be identified, all in a relaxed and calming context, a genuine interest in the language is developed rather than based on test results. This curiosity will become more refined in the classroom.
Rewriting allows you to automate the process and depersonalize it. In addition, recorded words document the fact of repetition and make it possible to find out which material is remembered better and which is worse.
Testing
When testing knowledge, it would be good to hide the fact of testing from the child, but leave a reward for successful completion. That is, hide the stick, but stick out the carrot in every possible way.
How to prepare a children's English program
Additionally, various studies have demonstrated the benefits of teaching a second language to children. Children who learn English from a young age are also more open to new cultures and language skills they will bring in the future. Now that you know the benefits of English even for young children, it's time to get organized. And it's easier than you think, you'll see.
When it comes to when to start teaching English to children, experts say "first, so much the better." A study at the University of Washington explains that very young children are able to perceive differences between sounds better than adults and are therefore likely to develop native pronunciation if exposed to a foreign language. As a rule, children easily absorb information. When they learn their native language, they can also learn another language with little effort.
If confirmed, the cycle of “perception - repetition - testing” is interrupted. If not, repeat. This creates an incentive to learn all the material faster.
At the same time, knowledge is acquired in portions and tested in portions, and not like this: “Sit down, now I will check how you learned what you were asked today.”
How the method works
Since my son didn’t know the alphabet very well, we started with that. I found the simplest recipes on the Internet, similar to these:
Other studies have shown that one of the most important aspects of language learning is repetition. And, as you know, many children's games and songs use this strategy and are very repetitive, that is, easy to remember. If you join in the repetition of verbal gestures, children will have fun and learn without even realizing it. As you can see, English for children has nothing boring or difficult 😉.
You have to keep your child motivated to learn English, there are not many other ways to succeed. But as we said earlier, without worrying about voices and tasks, young children learn language more calmly, so demotivation is less likely. In fact, the youngest of them are highly motivated because it is actually possible to link children's English with interesting activities such as playing, singing, watching cartoons.
First, I got my son to completely associate the pronunciation of each letter with its spelling: this will be very important in the future. After the alphabet we moved on to words. To do this, I used and continue to use a regular student’s notebook with a line or sheets from such a notebook. In the margins I write the Russian meanings of the words (expressions) that are to be learned.
But give the right motivation by mixing fun and learning is not the exclusive element of children primary school. Indeed, even older children who have already started learning English at school can find additional motivation outside the classroom. For example, you could organize a program for children that includes a feather friend in an English-speaking country, or you could practice vocabulary together, especially if you were planning a great holiday abroad!
Once again, it is important that children's English is fun, otherwise they will quickly lose interest. But there are so many things a parent can do, both internally and externally, to make learning English a fantastic adventure. Here are some English kids activities you can do together to start learning what your English level is.
These words must be written on the appropriate lines. Since each word is new, I allow you to rewrite it from the textbook for the first time. Then the son writes the word as many times as will fit on the line.
Russian travel outside the home
Try making simple American or English sweets with your children by reading the recipe in English. Write the English name of an everyday piece of furniture such as a TV or refrigerator, attach it and create a treasure hunt. Read and celebrate typical festivals such as Thanksgiving or Halloween. Find stories and nursery in English to read or listen to before bed. Ask the children to participate in your daily review. Strategic repetition is critical to storing words and expressions in long-term memory for both adults and children. Provided by a language expert. This way they will be exposed to the tongue daily and you will have free time.
- Routine, routine, routine.
- Get English into your children's daily life.
At the same time, he not only writes, but also pronounces the word out loud every time.
When finished, the sheet is turned over, and there is a surprise! In the margins are the same Russian words, and with their English counterparts you need to fill in all the lines, but without looking at the textbook.
Children will meet new friends with similar interests and learn English through play. For the little ones, summer camps near the house - an excellent solution. Another option is international or English schools, which often offer summer classes so English teaching is not interrupted.
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Now you have all the tools and information you need to prepare an excellent English childcare plan, and your children will thank you. And tell us how it happens! It may be difficult to know how many words of English your child knows. Sometimes you may feel like he or she is not showing any progress or doesn't know the simplest word. British Soviet lecturer Elizabeth Jackson explains in more detail.
Three important points:
- I care about the child, I don’t blame him for his mistakes.
- If he doesn't remember the spelling, then I spell it (that's where it comes in handy good knowledge alphabet).
- If a child wrote and pronounced a word without prompting the first time, then we have an agreement that he does not repeat it throughout the entire line. Subsequently, the word is removed from the lists. It is considered that it has been learned and the cycle of “perception - repetition - testing” is completed for it.
The process is repeated until all words from the original list have been eliminated. The photo below is about the fourth iteration.
The younger your child is, the more clearly you will notice that you need to go through several steps before you can start talking. Every English learner, from preschooler to adult child, goes through these steps as they study, and time spent on each part of the process will benefit them.
Learning English starts with listening
It all starts with listening English speech. It doesn't matter if you're in English, at home with you, or even better - in both places! Remember the time when your child still couldn't speak. Back then you always talked to him about everyday things - what you do, what you show him. Before they speak their first word, children listen to language for many hours. By speaking to your child, you give him the opportunity to accept this language.
We previously taught our son the alphabet in the same way. I wrote “ey”, “bi”, “si”, “di” and so on in Russian in the margins, and my son filled in the lines with English capital and lowercase letters.
Pros and cons of the method
The method has several strengths. Almost all types of memory are involved: auditory, visual, verbal and motor. Learning is stress-free and the student does not suffer.
In early childhood, a child's mind is very active. It is therefore very beneficial for children of this age to be exposed to as much English as possible. Don't expect to start talking in no time. In fact, many children experience a “quiet period” where they “absorb” language but do not produce it. When he's ready, your baby will start talking, so you don't need to rush. If you are concerned about his progress in speaking, the most important thing is to give him as many opportunities as possible to listen to English spoken.
Focus on Understanding
Before your child begins naming objects, you need to understand the words themselves and recognize them by hearing them. Ask the kids younger age that they can answer without words. For example, looking at a picture, ask: What is this? It doesn't matter whether he or she responds, the goal is for the child to hear English related to what he or she is doing.
The rules of the game are simple and fair. We can say that the method works automatically and the result appears as if by itself. A clear demonstration of the dialectical principle of the transition from quantity to quality. The algorithm is applicable for repeating forgotten material and is easily scalable for different volumes of words.
The method gives the student objective criteria for achieving the goal. There are real incentives to learn everything quickly and go for a walk.
Another good point is when you have collected school backpack to ask in English for a blue pencil. This type of learning can be a natural part of many of the exercises mentioned in this article, and the child may "respond" by pointing at things, imitating gestures or animals, or bringing objects to you. These simple exercises will allow you to test how well your child understands English and make sure they are really learning.
In a perfect world, we would remember an unknown word as soon as we heard it. However, in the real world, it takes a lot of repetition to remember something. Repetition as a learning tool also involves hearing a word many times, best in different situations. There's no need for your child to repeat words after you like the parrot! It is important to emphasize understanding with understanding because it will prepare your child the moment he is ready to speak.
The disadvantages of this method of learning are also obvious: you need a lot of paper and a “supervisor”.
Spelling and pronunciation English names My son learned the days of the week in the evening. The next day I received test work five, praise and surprise of the teacher. And this is not the only success.
It was also interesting to observe how the material is, if it is not repeated. First of all, the ability to write without errors disappears, then pronunciation begins to suffer, and last of all, the sound of the word is forgotten. But the ability to recognize it in the text remains for a long time.
I don’t think that the method is ideal, but using the described memorization mechanisms, you can always come up with something of your own.
Greetings to all parents concerned about the upbringing and education of their children!
So, we, adults, could not tear our children away from the game... They were so captivated by these truly educational toys that the idea came to me to find the same ones so that my daughter would enjoy them, and I would have free time.
By the way, such toys can be safely used at the initial stage of your child’s acquaintance with the English language. How? Read my article and find out!
Today more and more parents want their children to know a foreign language. It's even better if they learn it as early as possible. As a mother, I perfectly understand this desire and support it with my hands and feet! And as a teacher, more and more often I hear doubts, worries and hundreds of questions from mothers I know about what to do, how to do it, when to start, how to get interested and many, many others.
So today I decided to do a completely practical lesson. I want to answer all the questions that I have ever been asked in the simplest way and give you a dozen sensible pieces of advice so that you and your baby can choose your own path of learning.
Everything is clear, understandable and to the point!
Shall we begin?
- The sooner the better! Scientists say that children remember information much faster than adults aged 2 to 9 years. From here you can easily answer the question of when to start learning English child! The answer is simple - as soon as possible! With as much as possible early age teach your child to speak English. There are hundreds of ways to do this. Look for those that will work with your baby and the results will not be long in coming! How to teach children English - read on!
- Divide the roles! Do you know how in Western countries they turn children into bilinguals (p.s., those who speak two languages at once)? Parents share roles. If anyone in the family can speak foreign language- Great, do that. Let the child get used to 2 languages at once from childhood. If no one in your family knows a foreign language, then this is a different question. Well, then we will use other methods.
- Include English in daily life! In the event that you yourself do not speak English fluently, you can still easily learn a few phrases to help your baby at the initial stage. For example, you might start saying " Good Morning" instead of "Good morning", " Good night" Instead of "Good night", give him a toy and call it in English. Try to do this as often as possible. Before you know it, your child will start saying to a passing car, “ a car».
- Play with them. Girls' favorite game is “mother-daughter”, so imagine that the dolls came from another country and speak only English. Or a bunny dropped by to visit you (a helicopter flew in, a cartoon car like “Robocar” arrived), and you need to tell him what toys you have.
- Interested! What I repeat time after time: children should be interested! Get them interested interesting stories. Your baby probably doesn’t even understand why he needs this at all, why someone can speak a different language, why he needs to do this. Explain it in an interesting way. Make up a fairy tale about how countries and languages were created. For example:
There were several wizard brothers. Let's go brothers different sides, found land for themselves and began to settle there. They built houses for children, created various children's parks, and came up with new games that others did not have. They got so busy that they forgot that they spoke the same language. And each brother appeared in the country with his own language. But millions of children from different countries wanted to come to the country of their uncles. And therefore, to make it easier for them there, they learned the language of this country...
Come up with similar different fairy tales who will explain to the child why he needs to learn something. Make it interesting for him and then you won’t have to torture him and put pressure on him to study.
- Instill a love for languages!
There is nothing better than studying what you like! Develop a love of language in your baby. Show him how interesting and useful it is.- More poems, songs, dances!
Even more useful than learning a language by playing is to learn a language with songs and poems. Children aged 3 years and older instantly remember simple songs and rhymes. This will help you quickly develop a good vocabulary base and also train your memory well. Thus, turn boring training into an interesting game.- Start simple!
When a child reaches the age of 4 years, many mothers wonder how to teach English with their child at home, when the phrases “ Good morning», « Good night“And everything I talked about earlier is a passed stage. I can only add: try the most simple words and expressions. Obviously, your child will not remember grammar, verb forms and other complex things. You should start with flowers, animals, his toys. Here such cards They will help you with this - it’s just super convenient and effective!- Consider your child's learning needs!
You probably know that there is different ways remembering information. So, if your child visual perception- pay attention to drawings and coloring books with names in English if your child is older; or toy cubes where the letters of the alphabet are written, if you are still very young. There are children who perceive more by ear- then, as I said, use spoken language more, listen to fairy tales together, special children's audio, watch the video - everything depends on the age of your baby. There are also children who remember new information best, when they write. This, of course, already applies to those who are 6 - 8 years old, when they are just learning to write, or already know how. In this case, you can come up with them interesting activity, given this their strong point. But remember that children are just children; they understand everything better through play!- Choose the learning method that suits you!
Choose a way to teach your baby depending on his age. When he has not yet reached 5 years of age, you can teach him on your own; around the age of 6-7 years, when your capabilities are running out, you can find a tutor or send your child to courses.- Choose the right textbooks!
Naturally, at the age of 2 years, your baby is unlikely to need a textbook. But when you are already 4-6 years old, you can’t do without! You need to choose them depending on his interests, the usefulness of the book and the ease of study.If you are a caring parent and are interested in the development of your child, then you may like one of my finds, which is not related to English, but can be a cool tool in teaching your fidgets. This name book! It is printed individually for your child and the idea behind it is absolutely amazing in my opinion! What do you think?
The most common mistakes!
We all make mistakes. And in teaching our children too. Try to eliminate the possibility of these errors.
- Reluctance to understand your baby.
If you see that your child doesn’t really want to do something and does it through whims and tears, change your tactics. Listen to your kids. Let me remind you that the most important thing is to arouse interest! If learning for him means tears and screams, you are unlikely to be on the right track!- Classes "from time to time".
Consistency is needed here. You can’t exercise once a week for 10 minutes and put everything off “until later.” Nothing will work like that. But here’s my advice: set aside 40 minutes 2 times a week, but still somehow connect the rest of the time with English. The main thing is not to be lazy and take small steps every day!- You are pressing!
Children are very susceptible at any age, so don't put pressure on them. Don't expect them to suddenly start repeating everything after you. Don't expect instant results. Learning is a long and not the easiest process. But it is in our power to make this process enjoyable for our beloved children.- Don't criticize!
It's okay to correct mistakes. But you need to do this in such a way as not to kill the child’s desire to learn. Point out mistakes, but don't focus on them. Praise your children. Celebrate their achievements with them. Be their friend who helps them, not a strict teacher with a pointer at the ready!My dears, I tried to answer as many questions as possible today, but I am sure that you still have (or will have) more! So don't wait for the answer to come on its own. I'll be happy to help you. Leave your questions in the comments, share your experience of how you teach your children! And I, in turn, will be very happy to help you if you get lost along this path.
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Good luck on your language learning journey with your little ones.
See you again!
