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Teaching a second language to your child(ren) |
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by Jessgore  (November 2006) (rank 4th) |
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How soon should a second language be introduced?
What is the best language to teach? Our first language is English.
What is the best method for teaching a second language in a monnolingual society?
All ideas appreciated
EF.x 
I believe that
if anyone would like to teach their children a different language it is best to start as early as possible.
Not all families have the luxury of speaking two languages, so here are a few tips if you wish to get your child off to learning new languages if you are not ready to send your child off to lessons just yet….
1. If you have a DVD player that plays all regions, buy (order on line if unavailable at stores) movies that have multiple language tracks… They will also have subtitles for the older children that can read… Translations are not always exact as not all languages have an exact translation for a word… But it will give you a general idea of how the language works.
2. Activity books.. There are activity books that help you learn in fun ways as well. They are similar to the activity books that helps children learn to write or do math. If you have trouble finding any you could call a language school and ask where you might find them on the internet.
3. Story books are also great, but it does help if you can read it to them. Or if you wish to learn a new language as well this could be a fun activity together. And you can get a dictionary for words you don’t understand. And depending on your child’s age you can look them up together…
4. If you have a friend that speaks the desired language ask them to speak that language with your child and start out with the basics, like hello, how are you? Simple things like this always seem to spark an interest in a young age.
My step daughter is 10 years of age and started taking English in grade 3. She was top of her class in the first year of starting and I believe this has a lot to do with the three years prior listening to myself and her father speaking. Although she was very shy to even try, we noticed before she started her English lessons she was able to jump into conversations at just the right time, making it harder for us to talk about Christmas presents.
I was 24 when I met my husband… I had to learn fast, when we got married the ceremony was all in French and to this day I am still not sure what it was I said. My husband jokes that it was a baptism and we are not actually married. But for me I learnt the hard way, I sat and I listened to the family speak around me and was very lucky they had the patience to explain why every one found something funny and did not want me to feel left out… I am now 31 and am very proud of my French today even if I still make rude and embarrassing mistakes.. Thankfully my husband’s family have a great sense of humour. I wish I had taken French when I was at school though….
