So, your child has expressed interest in learning French and you are considering a French tutor? Maybe they started a little French at school? Or perhaps you’re looking to endow your child with skills that can benefit them in later life?

In that case, you may be considering enrolling them on a language course or are looking into a French tutor. Starting a language early in life can benefit your child in countless ways and there are many options available to you.

Let me share some guidance on helping your child to learn French given their age and stage so they can learn in the most enjoyable way possible.

Consider Your Child’s Age

As keen as we are as parents for our children to learn new skills, it is crucial to bear in mind the importance of learning through play in the early years.

Interacting with toys, singing and make-believe are particularly important for under 5s. For this age, look for local playgroups and French Music & Movement classes like my classes in Edinburgh. If there is nothing local to you, you can still get started at home! Learn songs together, name different items as you go about your day and consider reading stories in French to your child.

Have a look at these blogs for more ideas:

Learn to Count in French

Where Can I Buy French Books

Learn to Bake in French

Helping Your Child to Learn the Language

There are a number of different approaches to language learning, and different approaches will suit different children. You may be able to make an informed decision through an understanding of your child’s individual learning style. However, many parents will simply have to go through a process of trial and error to find what’s right. Here are some suggestions that may work for you.

Immersion

Perhaps the most effective means of learning a second language is through immersion. This means surrounding yourself with the language and simply having to learn different words and phrases to get by and understand. Of course, this can be difficult, as you are unlikely to move to countries just to help your child learn a language! However, you may want to consider holidaying in places that speak the language you’d like your child to learn.

French tutor Lessons

If your school offers language lessons then great! However, if your child needs extra support or is showing a special interest, you may consider extracurricular classes. For younger children, group lessons can be less intimidating and enable a play environment. Mini Languages® online group tutoring for age 5-8 is based on topics that children can engage with like dinosaurs and going to the beach! For older children, look for a local teacher who can support in exam preparation such as GCSE tutors. Make sure to read reviews on different tutors’ services, ask about their methods and conduct a background check for safety reasons.

Online Courses

You can’t find a tutor to suit? All is not lost! Consider a pre-recorded course to get started with. Have a look at Mini Languages® online courses here which provide engaging ‘edutainment’ for kids to learn a language while they are having fun. The Hungry Caterpillar course, for example, can be done at your own pace and will be something that your child looks forward to. This in turn enables them to regularly interact with the language and will yield results.

Have a go teaching your child yourself!

If you have the right attitude and a little knowledge of the language yourself, you can absolutely help your child to progress in French at home. Use some activity sheets and source videos to practice vocabulary. Choose a topic and then work on that for a few weeks before switching.

Cartoons, TV shows and films

Why not let your children watch cartoons, TV shows and films in the language that they are learning. It is not feasible to gain fluency through this method but it is a good way to introduce the language. Building confidence and a ‘have a go’ attitude is very important in the early years. It also introduces them to colloquial, casual and slang terms that they may not learn in official lessons.

Learning a new language doesn’t only benefit your child – it can be a fun experience for the family! I have parents telling me that coming to lessons has reignited their own interest in learning a language! Hopefully, some of the above advice will help to get their language learning journey off to the best start!