Supporting your child on their journey to becoming fluent in English is a valuable gift and it continues to be important as the years pass by. 

Although you might not be native English speakers, your encouragement and involvement can play a significant role. This guide offers practical tips to help you effectively support your child's quest for fluent English, even if you're learning alongside them.

Creating a Supportive Learning Environment:

Build an environment that encourages your child to practice English regularly. Even if learning English is a new concept in your household, showing enthusiasm for their efforts can make a huge difference. A supportive atmosphere can help your child feel more comfortable and confident as they work on becoming fluent in English.

Learning Together: The Path to Fluent English:

Have fun by engaging in English learning activities with your child. This could include watching English educational programs designed for kids, or practicing vocabulary with materials from English for kids courses. By learning together, you're not only improving your own English skills but also showing your child that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

I’m a big fan of the “post-it”. Have fun trying to label all the things in the house. You can then take them off and get your child to try and label everything correctly.

Positive Reinforcement: Encouraging Fluent English:

Celebrate every step of progress towards fluent English. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every child's pace is different. Encourage your child by highlighting their improvements, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement helps build confidence and motivates them to continue practicing.

Role-playing and Practical Application:

Role-playing is an excellent way for your child to practice speaking English in realistic scenarios. Use situations that might occur in their daily lives or in future travels. This practical application helps solidify their language skills and makes the process of becoming fluent in English more relatable and less daunting.

Setting Achievable Goals for Fluent English:

Work with your child to set realistic English learning goals. Whether it's learning new words daily, having a five-minute conversation, or writing a short paragraph, acknowledging these achievements will encourage continued effort and dedication.

Daily English Immersion and Practice:

Incorporate English into everyday life as much as possible. This could mean setting specific times for English-only conversation, writing in an English diary, or following recipes in English. Consistent practice is key to becoming fluent in English and can be integrated seamlessly into daily routines.

Try my free 30 days of English summer challenge here where I give you 30 different ideas for practicing your English: https://my.englishontherun.net/30daysummerlanding

English Teachers and Language Learning Communities:

Where possible, it’s great to have the support of an English teacher to make conversation with your child and to give you ideas on how to help them practice effectively. Joining online conversation groups is also a great way to get real life practice. You can learn more about our kids and teens programmes here: https://www.englishontherun.net/kids

Remember - your involvement and encouragement as a parent are crucial in your child's journey to fluent English. By creating a supportive environment, engaging in learning activities together, and utilizing available resources, you can make the process enjoyable and effective. Remember, the goal is to build your child's confidence and fluency in English, setting them up for a lifetime of opportunities.

Begin today by adopting one of these strategies and consistently support your child's efforts to learn English. Together, you can achieve remarkable progress and help your child become a confident, fluent English speaker.