Learning a second language from an early age will not only help your child when they start to learn languages at school, but it can also support them in other academic areas. Research suggests that multilingual children have enhanced creativity and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, knowing a second language can also improve your child’s future career prospects.

If you’d like to know how you can help your child to learn a new language, here is some great advice from an independent boy’s school in London.

Practice, practice, practice!

If you want your child to master a new language, it is important to practice a new language with your child as often as possible. Ideally you should try to make time for language learning at least once a day. This can be done together at home, or you could enrol your child at a local language class. Another really simple way to practice language learning every day is by adding sticky labels to objects around your house. This will help your child to memorise these new words and enrich their new vocabulary.

Online learning

If you cannot find any local classes, there are lots of language learning resources available online. You can learn with Language Trainers on a one to one or closed group basis with professional native instructors for an authentic experience.

Many are free and are specifically aimed at children. These are a great way to encourage learning through fun and interactive games. Help your child to get set up on your computer, or download an app onto your smart phone or tablet. You can always ask your child’s teacher for recommendations.

Television

Another useful learning method is watching foreign-language television or movies. Your child will be able to follow along visually, whilst listening to natural conversation and pause or rewind where necessary. This method of learning will help to improve your child’s pronunciation and sentence structure. Although do use this method sparingly to support language development.

Music

If you’ve ever had a song stuck in your head, then you will understand how the power of music can help you to learn new information. Studies have shown that listening to a song and singing along can help with language learning. This is because rhythm and repetition helps with memorisation. If you have younger children you could start by learning some nursery rhymes in your chosen language.

Play

If your child prefers imaginative play, you can enhance their language skills using role play! This is a fun way to teach your child new words and phrases. Play a shop keeper and ask them for the translation of various foods, or count money in your second language. This is not only great practice, but it will also help your child to remember what you are teaching them.