How to Help Children Practice a Second Language Outside School

Regular practice is essential for learning a second language. At school, students learn the academic basis of a second language, including grammar, vocabulary and structured practice. But additional practice outside class is often also necessary.

Like with learning a musical instrument, students progress through practice, immersion and consistency, Several methods of differing degrees of formality exist for practicing a second language outside school, helping students progress efficiently.

Create an Encouraging Environment

The earlier the child is in contact with the foreign language, the easier learning it will be. You can create a fun immersion environment in the home by watching cartoons in English (or another language). For children who can read, watching films or series in their original version with subtitles is a good habit to get into, allowing them to absorb the language’s intonations and pronunciation. TV series and music develop phonetics from a young age.

To introduce vocabulary, you can use books: at any age, children’s books in English, German or Spanish teach common vocabulary in a fun way.

Creating an environment that facilitates learning a second language also includes spontaneous practice with the family. There’s no need to be bilingual to use English, Spanish, German or another foreign language for small daily rituals, such as saying hello or good-night or asking simple questions (“what do you want”, “how do you do”, etc.). Using a second language at home is also a way make the child feel supported.

Weekends and school holidays are also a great time to learn through games. There are many simple games that you can make or buy for learning vocabulary and improving punctuation, particularly in English: Memory, Who’s Who, Hangman, Categories, etc.

Online Learning

There are more and more online resources available for teaching a foreign language to children. There are many online games for working on skills in English or other commonly taught second languages (German, Spanish, Italian). Free and paid apps are also available that you can use on a smartphone or tablet while in transit. That way, you can make car trips or waiting rooms useful and fun!

There are two types of apps for learning foreign languages: purely educational apps for practicing or reviewing basics taught in class: (Babbel, Busuu, Duolingo, etc.), and entertaining apps more specifically developed for children, such as Holy Owly, which makes English accessible for ages 3 and up.

Another approach, which requires more investment but is every efficient, is taking language courses online with video calls. Vivaling offers sessions with native speaker coaches from different nationalities that are trained to teach their native language to children in a fun way.

Online resources can be used to strengthen grammar and conjugation skills with games and fun online exercises, and improve conversation skills (vocabulary, spontaneity, accent).

Group Activities

Speaking practice is essential for learning a living language. The primary goal when you learn English or any other foreign language is to be able to communicate, meaning to understand and be understood in return. Because of large class sizes and time limitations, language classes at school do not include enough speaking time. Participating in group activities outside school is a good way to practice your second language more often and improve.

You can join a conversation club with native speakers from English-speaking countries (or German-speaking) or with other French-speaking learners of the same age or level.

In large cities, cultural institutes like the Franco-German centre or Franco-British centre offer workshops and classes for children, teens and adults, including theatre, themed classes, conversation clubs, snack breaks, literature and music clubs and movies with round table discussions. Enrolling in a bilingual club offers many opportunities to practice the language and improve syntax, vocabulary and pronunciation.

Going Abroad

Total immersion during a language trip is the most efficient way to improve in a foreign language. Learning English in an English-speaking country is recommended to help you get used to different accents, gain confidence in conversation, acquire reflexes from practicing and listening (articles, syntax, conjugation, vocabulary, expressions). Travelling abroad is complete experience for language-learning when you stay long enough and are in true immersion. You will both improve speaking and learn about a new culture.

For learning English, there are many places you can travel around the world: England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, the United States or even Malta: there is a wide selection depending on the budget and age of the participant.

There are several ways to send your child abroad. Exchanges are offered in language-learning centres and with other organisations, usually with a home stay. Group language tours are organised by specialised providers (LEC, EF, ESL, SILC, etc.) with collective housing like a summer camp and a program divided between language classes and outings, activities and discoveries. The program, type of housing, duration of stay and learning method are adapted to the age of the participants.

Finally, there is also the ability for children, as young as kindergarten, to go to language camps without leaving their country. They take place in France with foreign instructors for an easy first immersive language experience.