15 ways to Improve English Speaking Skills in Kids by International Schools
The first few years of a child’s life are incredibly important as they are like clay that can absorb anything given to them. With their brains developing rapidly, it is an ideal time to introduce various skills, including language learning.
English, being a global language, is a priority for many parents. Despite the convenience of online resources, spending quality time with kids is crucial to improving English speaking skills. Early immersion in English communication significantly boosts a child’s chances of developing strong speaking skills as they grow.
15 Ways to Improve English Speaking Skills in Children
Here, we’ll explore 15 impactful ways how to improve the English speaking proficiency of your child in a positive and enjoyable setting.
1. Incorporate a reading habit.
A passion for reading is one of the best instruments for language development. Not only are bedtime stories a beloved custom, but they’re also a great method to expose kids to language. Speaking aloud to children about books, whether they are fiction, self-help, or current events, helps them develop their vocabulary and confidence. To make language acquisition enjoyable and engaging, IB schools encourage your youngster to read aloud and understand the language thoroughly.
2. Focus on phrases and themes.
In today’s technological age, switching between languages is just a click away. Since children love cartoons, focusing on this interest by allowing them to watch cartoons in English can be a game-changer.
Initially, they may find it challenging, but over time, it can become a habit, helping to improve English speaking skills and effective communication. Hence, letting them enjoy their favorite themes and cartoons is one of the best ways to incorporate the basic foundation of the English language.
3. Encourage your child to speak in English when at home.
Home is where a child spends a significant amount of time, and parents serve as their first teachers. By instructing and encouraging children to communicate in English at home, parents create a supportive environment. Simple conversations and instructions in English help children gain confidence, making them more proficient in using the language in various settings.
4. Motivate them at every step.
Language learning involves making mistakes, and children, in their initial attempts, might not articulate full sentences correctly. As a parent, it is crucial to correct without criticism. Motivation plays a key role in a child’s improvement, encouraging them to persist and refine their English-speaking skills.
5. Keep a Diary in English
Encourage your child to maintain a personal diary in English. Writing thoughts, stories, or poems not only enhances English-speaking skills but also fosters creative expression, making learning an enjoyable journey.
6. Listen to English songs.
Listening to music has a profound impact on adults as well as children. It not only helps in uplifting the mood of the children but also retains their memory. The catchy tunes and pronunciation of English songs make it easy for children to remember difficult words.
7. Communicate in English with friends.
As children start interacting with peers in school or other settings, fostering a habit of conversing in English with friends can significantly enhance their communication skills. Friendships provide a comfortable space where children can express themselves without the fear of judgment, contributing to fluency in the language.
8. Play word games
Games, especially puzzles and word games, offer an entertaining way to expose children to new words. Incorporating these games into daily routines can contribute to a rich vocabulary. Engaging in such activities ensures that learning remains enjoyable and effective.
9. Sing out loud
Rhymes and poems provide an interactive platform for language development. Through repetitive word patterns, children memorize new words. Singing loudly not only boosts confidence but also helps refine pronunciation, making language learning a joyous experience.
10. Watch learnable content
Creative activities, such as painting, cutting, and sticking pictures at top IB schools, provide an excellent opportunity to instruct children in English. By involving them in artistic endeavors, parents can seamlessly integrate language learning into fun and imaginative experiences.
11. Build Language-Rich Environment
Surround your child with English-rich surroundings. Create an atmosphere like a boarding school where English is seamlessly integrated into daily conversations, enhancing language comprehension and fluency effortlessly.
12. Maintain English diary
For children inclined towards writing, maintaining a diary in English can be a valuable practice. Please encourage them to write their thoughts, poems, or stories in English. It will not only help to improve their English-speaking skills but also their creative writing abilities.
Some of the best international schools in India, like MIT Gurukul, help students maintain their daily writing habits through innovative and ideal approaches.
13. Reading
One must keep the reading habit from an early age. Bedtime stories, fictional tales, and current affairs books not only boost vocabulary but also stimulate a love for language, laying the foundation for effective communication.
14. Motivate Kids
Positive reinforcement is the key answer to the question: to improve the English speaking skills of your children?’. Motivate your child during language-learning endeavors. Encouragement builds confidence, empowering kids to overcome language hurdles with enthusiasm and persistence.
15. Get Crafty
Integrate language learning with creativity. Engage kids in craft activities with MIT Gurukul involving English instructions. This practical method makes studying enjoyable and engaging while also improving language proficiency.
The goal of improving a child’s English-speaking abilities is to build linguistic proficiency in the early years. Parents can positively and engagingly support their child’s language development by implementing the tactics above.
A comprehensive approach to language enrichment combines reading, watching English-language cartoons, promoting conversation at home, motivation, exposure to English songs, social interactions, engaging in games, singing aloud, engaging in creative activities, and keeping a journal.
In addition to enhancing a child’s language skills, parents who approach language development with passion and commitment can help them create a lifetime love of learning. Every effort made to establish a language-rich environment benefits a child’s development of self-assurance and communication skills in English.
Parents may empower their children to think clearly in English, the worldwide language, and to traverse the world with ease by using these small but effective tactics.
