Teach English in Ducheng Zhen - Huanggang Shi

We can’t escape the importance and the growth of learning English, the world's most widely spoken language. This growth increases the need not only for adults, but also for kids to learn English from a young age. Kids are capable of grasping languages and imitating their sounds which makes them better learners than adults. Thus, parents should use this advantage. They should be eager to encourage their kids to learn English and motivate them to use it consistently. Before parents take any step to help their children learn English, they must understand the importance of the English language. When parents believe that English is significant for their kids’ future, they will give the needed efforts and attention. When the parent places importance on English to their child, the child tends to pick up on their parents’ behavior and attitudes. They will be more likely to approach a positive attitude to learn English and vice versa. For instance, in my 5-10-year-old class, I realized that the students with parents speaking some English improve their language skills much faster than others. It’s probably because the parents encourage their child to practice the language after class. Parents should learn some English and use it with their children daily. They can even learn the language together which builds courage and confidence in the child. This can be done by learning new vocabulary, asking the child to teach them what he/she learned at school. To support the consistent use of the language, parents can replace some of the mother language vocabulary and phrases with English. The language can’t be learned without consistent use. Even if parents can afford English schools or online classes for their kids, that is not enough. This is one of the main problems I face teaching children. Parents rely on the teacher only, then complain about their children's improvement. Parents need to provide the right environment to help their children learn and use the language. This can include setting up a time every day to practice, and creating or buying teaching materials such as flashcards, pictures, colored letters, board, stories in English, videos, and games. Games are an effective method if not the most. Children love to play especially with their parents. Not all parents know how to support their kids in learning English. Thus, parents should communicate with qualified English teachers. English teachers can suggest the best methods and materials that help children learn and practice English at home, depending on their age and level. When parents register their children to one of my classes, I give them instructions on how to help their children practice at home. Not many parents follow these guidelines, but the ones who do see the results in their children’s progress. Without any practice, improvement will be stagnant. This is how learning a language works. Children love to receive rewards, presents, and compliments, so parents should use that as an advantage. When it comes to children learning a language, they tend to not to have any motivation. For that reason, presents can be a source of motivation for them, creating a reward system. As a teacher, I use rewards as a motivation for my young students to pay attention to the class and it generally works. Parents form a great influence on their children's learning process. Without parents’ consideration, children are less likely to put effort into learning. This applies to learning English. Parents need to believe in the importance of English and take action. Parents learning some of the language at least or having a grasp of it will help their children. Parents should make the effort to encourage their children to use the language outside of the class. Parents should also look for professional support and reward their children.