Helping Your Kids With Modern Foreign Languages*

Although it’s the summer holidays, I’m always looking for ways to broaden my daughter’s horizons when it comes to learning. I’m working hard to limit the screen time and trying to encourage her to do something educational every day, even if it’s only for a short period of time. She has reading, work books or she can write but since coming back from Disneyland Paris, and now being 100% sure she wants to work at “Little Disney” she’s expressed and interest in French.

If you’re able to give your child a leg up in education but sending them to a school like Bassett House School then you should do so by sending them. A good education could help your child out in their later life and it’s something I personally put a lot of stock in. But if your child attends a school where modern foreign languages are taught at a later date, there are a few things you can be doing at home to help them;

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Introduce the Language Early
LB is now 7, and although to me she still seems young, when it comes to learning a second language it could be argued she’s quite old. Experts suggest you start exposing your child to a second child from when they’re a baby as they stand more chance of becoming bilingual as they get older. Of course that can be difficult if you don’t personally speak the language and you’re already trying to teach your child the usual life skills they need and hit all the regular milestones.

Gather Some Resources
If you’re personally not bilingual and you cannot afford a private tutor you need to look for some learning resources. I’ve started with a couple of work books but you can also get audio cds which will help your child hear how words are pronounced, DVDs and even games. There are also websites online, apps you can download and probably even youtube videos that can help your child.

Learn Through Enjoyment
This is especially important if the second language your child is learning, isn’t something you speak. Children learn best if they’re enjoying what they do, especially if it’s something extra and you want them to stick at it. I’m blessed that LM isn’t a quitter, if she sets her mind to something she works hard until she succeeds (she didn’t get that from me!) Have fun with your learning, and maybe even you’ll pick up a phrase or two!

Having a second language can give your child a huge advantage in life. It can help them while travelling and to network in the workplace and it’s something more parents want to introduce early. I’m glad that LM has taken a personal interest in it and I hope she succeeds as it would help her reach her goal of working in Paris.