Here are some top tips from our teachers on how to support your child's English learning at home
1. Learn English yourself
To build a positive attitude to learning, and English as a language, the best place to start is with yourself. If you send your child to an English class, why not join one too?
By learning English yourself, you show your kids that having a go is better than only speaking when you have the perfect sentence ready. It is also a great way to spend time with your kids.
2. Sing songs together (or get YouTube to help if you can't sing)
After listening to a song or nursery rhyme a few times, children quickly start to hum and sing along to the chorus. Eventually they put together more and more words, while enjoying themselves.
Music and rhyme help children to use full sentences. They also help them with intonation and pitch, as well as simply building confidence.
Watch the Learning Time with Timmy video series on YouTube.
3. Set your technology to use English
Every bit of technology we own comes with language options.
You can set your TV, tablets, mobile phones and games consoles to use English. Your child will then see English in a natural context whenever they use these devices.
4. Relax
Don't worry if your child makes mistakes in English. Relax if they don't start speaking it immediately. The brain goes through a process of decoding and pattern-finding while it learns a new language.
Speaking a language usually starts after a period of listening and thinking. This is one of many reasons to start learning English early.
Want more tips?
Check out the British Council Voices magazine articles below for more tips.