How to help your child learn English:
As Parents you can help your child learn English as a second language even if you are not a native English speaker.
The most important thing we can ask you to do is to read with your child and encourage your child to read every day. There are a number of ways to do this:
- You can read aloud while your child listens
- You can listen to your child read aloud
- You can read at the same time as your child
- You can take turns reading a sentence or section
- You can listen to books on tape together (available at ESL)
We would also like you to:
- Understand the ESL program, your child’s English learning needs and your child’s social needs (by talking with your child and their teachers).
- Support the program’s expectations of the student by making sure that homework is completed.
- Take an interest in your child’s work and homework.
- Encourage/provide a variety of English learning opportunities at home and in the community (reading, watching movies or TV in English, socializing with English-speaking friends, after-school clubs and activities in English, etc.).
- Communicate concerns about your child’s learning with teachers.
- Ensure your child has adequate sleep and good nutrition.
- Develop your childs own native language at home. Children need their own native language to grow so that concepts and vocabulary learned in that language will be more easily learned in English.
- Inform the school when your child has a tutor and help the tutor communicate with your child’s teachers.
- Learn English. Model those behaviors you want your child to learn.
