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Speaking a couple languages in today’s society is valuable in many ways. Here are some tips from private schools on helping your child learn a new language.
Start by speaking with them. If you already speak the language they’re studying at home, have conversations with your child to make them feel comfortable using the dialect and putting sentences together. Practicing with you, will allow your child to develop their words and sentences much quicker given the comfort of learning from home and not school.
Learning a new language can feel like your mind is being frazzled with the introduction of new phrases, dialects and even written words. Sit with your child and look through their textbook together. Pick up on words with them and repeat it. Doing this will allow your child to feel confident and more motivated to continue with their studies.
One of the easiest ways to pick up a language is through entertainment. Find an appropriate tv show that your child can watch, even one with subtitles and you’ll notice how their developmental rate picks up. Watch movies in the foreign language with the family to make it seem like fun and not a chore. Suddenly words and phrases will click and soon they’ll be stringing along long sentences!
Find a good study group and get your child involved. Children bounce off of each other and will allow them to expand on their language skills. Online study groups are common and can also be done from the comfort of your home. However, this can be taken to the next level. Research prep courses abroad or find close family or friends who may live in the country that the language originates from. Being emersed in both the culture and language will build a strong foundation for your child and depending on how long they spend out there, can come back fluent in their chosen language!