English is the 'second language' at school, how do parents accompany their children?

As English is approved as a second language in the school environment, parents are also proactively exploring more suitable companion methods for their children's learning journey. How can children not only achieve the desired results but also use foreign languages ​​as an integration tool?

The answer was provided by British Council experts in the recent online sharing session "Methods to accompany children in learning English".

At the beginning of the sharing session, MC Tran Minh Ngan, a former television editor and a familiar face at high-level government and international events, represented many parents in expressing their concerns when their twin children "got used to" the new context when English became the main subject from first grade at school. Mother Ngan shared: Despite being exposed to English from an early age and having a father who is a native speaker, her children still fell into a "passive" state - they understood English very well but lacked confidence, often asking their mother to "speak for them" instead of communicating themselves.

Besides, according to many parents, problems such as children losing concentration while studying, learning first and forgetting later, or the habit of translating from Vietnamese to English instead of using English naturally are also common barriers that make children not confident or interested in studying.

Understanding these concerns, the British Council - a prestigious educational organization in the UK with many years of experience in teaching English, has brought professional sharing sessions to accompany students and parents, including the recent online sharing session "Methods of accompanying children to learn English". As a guest, Mr. Anton Glushkov, an educational expert with more than 11 years of experience at the British Council, provided insightful perspectives for parents to solve psychological problems, thereby helping to improve their children's English.

MC Minh Ngan (left) and teacher Anton (right) share methods to help their children overcome the barrier of "understanding but being afraid to speak" English.

Understanding your child's "hesitation" is normal

According to Mr. Anton, children's reluctance to speak is a normal psychological development when they are not comfortable using a new language. The key to opening the door to confidence for children is a safe environment, where they are placed in the right class level, allowed to make mistakes without being judged, thereby gradually removing psychological barriers to let the language come out naturally.

Sharing more about how to help children build courage, Mr. Anton said: "When children are tested in a safe environment with trusted people or friends of the same level, they will realize that they can absolutely communicate. Once they have done it once, twice or many times in class, they will carry that confidence out into life."

Grasp your child's energy rhythm to maintain focus while studying.

For many parents, the inability of children to maintain concentration during the language learning process gradually becomes a big concern. To solve this problem, one of the interesting pedagogical methods that Mr. Anton often applies is the technique of balancing Stirring and Settling.

Accordingly, classes at the British Council alternate between fun, energetic Stirring activities and quieter Settling activities so that children have enough space to "play" and enough quiet time to absorb knowledge. According to experts at the British Council, this is a simple method that parents can apply at home to maintain excitement without causing fatigue or boredom for their children.

An inspiring learning environment, with a balance between “stillness” and “movement”, is the key to helping your child grasp English faster.

Cultivate the habit of practicing with children

Responding to the concerns of many parents about "how can parents teach their children if they are not good at English", Mr. Anton affirmed that parents do not need to be their children's teachers. Instead, sincere care and creating small daily habits are important.

Ms. Minh Ngan also shared her practical experience when practicing English with her child every day. She revealed that when her child asks about something, she will provide both Vietnamese and English words; if she encounters a new word, she is ready to look it up to learn with her child. In particular, she regularly follows the lesson content at her child's English center to "catch the topic" and chat with her child. Teacher Anton commented that this not only encourages children's spirit but also helps parents know exactly what their child has learned, what parts they have not remembered or where they need more support.

Having parents accompany them will create strong motivation for children in the process of learning foreign languages.

For each child, the journey to conquer a second language always requires patience and the right method. With the dedicated sharing from experts and practical experiences from parents, we hope that parents will be more confident to accompany their children, helping them to integrate steadily and take advantage of future opportunities.

If you are looking for a suitable environment for your children to study and excel, join the international learning community at the British Council. Check out the latest courses and promotions from the British Council at: https://global-english.britishcouncil.org/vi-vn/kids-teens

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tieng-anh-la-ngon-ngu-thu-hai-o-truong-phu-huynh-dong-hanh-cung-con-the-nao-185251205165500699.htm