If your child is learning French, you might be wondering how best to help them succeed. French tutor Carol Beth L. shares her best tips for parents entering into the world of French for kids…
Learning a second language has been shown to have many benefits for children. It can improve their cognitive skills, help them in school, and open up new cultural experiences. Many parents want their children to learn a second language, but may not know where to start.
Here are some tips on how you can help learn French with a child.
How Can I Help My Child Learn French?
Learning a second language can be a challenging but rewarding experience for both children and adults. If you’re hoping to help your child learn French, there are a few things you can do to support their efforts:
- Encourage your child to speak French as often as possible. This will help them to become more comfortable with using the language and build their confidence.
- You can also provide them with opportunities to practice writing and listening skills. Try setting aside some time each day for French conversation or listening to French-language books and music.
- Exposing your child to French culture can also be helpful. If you have the opportunity, take your child on a trip to France or another Francophone country. This will give them a chance to hear the language spoken in its natural environment and perhaps pick up some new vocabulary.
By taking these steps, you can give your child a valuable head start in learning French.
Watching videos is another great way to help a child learn French – see why by watching the video below. And make sure you sign up for French lessons. A great tutor is one of the best resources to improve learning French for a child.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqJdL_zrIfU
Should My Child Learn French or Spanish?
As the world becomes increasingly connected, it is more important than ever for children to be bilingual. But with so many languages to choose from, how can you decide which one is right for your child? For many parents, the choice between French and Spanish can be a difficult one. Both languages have their own unique benefits.
So which language should you choose for your child? The best answer may be both. bilingualism has been shown to have numerous cognitive benefits, including improved memory and problem-solving skills. In addition, learning a second language can open up a world of opportunities, both personal and professional.
So while the choice between French and Spanish may be a difficult one, it is ultimately a decision that can pay off in countless ways.
Why Should My Child Learn French?
French is the official language of 29 countries, and is spoken by over 220 million people around the world. It is also the second most commonly taught language in the world, after English.
In addition, learning French can also help your child to better understand English. Because French and English share many common words, learning French can provide your child with a greater understanding of English grammar.
Additionally, learning a foreign language can help to improve your child’s memory and cognitive skills. Studies have shown that children who learn a second language have better problem-solving skills and are more likely to succeed in school.
Why Should My Child Learn Spanish?
Spanish, on the other hand, is spoken by over 400 million people and is the official language of 21 countries. It is also one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
Spanish is an especially good choice for English speakers, as it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. Learning Spanish can help your child expand their horizons and open up new opportunities, both professionally and personally. For example, Spanish-speaking countries are some of the most popular tourist destinations, and knowing the language can make travel more enjoyable. In addition, many jobs require proficiency in more than one language, and being fluent in Spanish can give your child a competitive edge when they enter the workforce.
How Long Does it Take a Child to Learn French?
So how fast can a child learn French? It depends on a lot of factors.
The best time for a child to start learning a second language is before the age of three. At this age, children are like sponges, soaking up everything around them. They are also not yet burdened by the self-consciousness that can make language learning more difficult for older children. If you want your child to learn French, immersion is the best way to achieve this goal.
Some schools offer partial or full-immersion programs where children spend most of the day learning in French. Another option is to enroll your child in a regular school program and supplement their learning at home with books, movies, music, and conversation.
Older children often have more difficulty learning a second language than younger ones. This is due in part to the fact that they are more self-conscious and less likely to take risks with their speaking and writing.
Additionally, they generally have less exposure to the language outside of the classroom setting. That being said, many students in high school or college do eventually reach a high level of proficiency in French (or another second language). It may just take them a bit longer than their younger counterparts.
Bottom line: there is no definitive answer to the question “How long does it take a child to learn French?” It depends on each individual child’s aptitude, motivation, and exposure to the language. However, research has shown that early immersion is the best way to ensure your child becomes proficient in French (or any other second language).
How to Teach a Child to Learn French
Supporting your child in learning a foreign language can be difficult, especially if you don’t speak the language yourself. Nonetheless, there are ways to help them learn. French is a relatively common, available language that is taught in middle and high schools, and many communities and cities have resources to help people learn the language. Here are a few ways that you as a parent can support your child in learning French.
1. Inform yourself about local French resources.
Connect your child with those resources. Is there a French school (ecole francaise or lycee francaise) in your area? A branch of the Alliance Francaise? Both local French schools and Alliance Francaise branches have classes, programs and sometimes even a summer camp to help children and teens absorb a foreign language.
How about a consulate with a calendar of events related to French language and culture? University language departments also often keep track of such events for their students or organize French-related events for their students. Some such events may be in French; others may be in English, but will still relate to French current events, culture, history or literature.
2. Expose your child to the language.
Some of the resources listed above may help. There are also many popular French films and books out there. For younger children or less advanced readers, Asterix et Obelix and Tintin are popular comics that both have video adaptations.
If your child loves movies, La Gloire de mon Pere and Le Chateau de ma Mere are films that follow a young boy vacationing with his family in Provence in the south of France. Jean de Florette is also set in Provence, and is based off novels by Marcel Pagnol, who is also known for his book Le Petit Nicolas (Little Nicolas). Le Petit Nicolas also has both a written format and a film adaptation.
In addition to video, audio tapes and CDs can also be useful. For example, ThinkLanguage.com offers articles and audio tapes on a regular basis for subscribers. You may also be able to find CDs with French for kids. The car is one great place to keep these and put them on if you find yourself driving your child around a lot to school or other activities. This way, your child can study a little French on the go!
3. Consider an exchange program.
Sending your student on exchange programs to a French-speaking country, or visiting one with them, requires some financial backing; so, if you are unable to provide that backing, look for programs that may offer scholarships for linguistic and cultural exchanges. Or, focus on other ways to support your child.
Also, keep in mind that France is just one of the many French-speaking countries out there. French is also spoken in Quebec (Canada), France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, and quite a few African countries, especially those in western Africa. Haiti speaks French, as well, and a few other former French colonies also host a larger percentage of French-speakers than the rest of the world.
4. Learn French yourself.
Learning French takes a lot of commitment, and a large percentage of parents are not realistically able to do it due to conflicting responsibilities. If you are one of those parents who has the motivation and time to do so, it will set an example for your child. It may also help you support your child in other ways. You may be able to help them with homework or speak with them in the foreign language. At the very least, you will have a greater understanding of what they are going through, the difficulties they are having, and the linguistic technicalities they may refer to as they are learning it.
What is the Best Way for Child to Learn French?
The earlier a child starts learning a second language, the better. A child’s brain is like a sponge, and they are able to absorb new information more easily at a young age. If you start introducing French to your child when they are a baby or toddler, they will be more likely to pick it up quickly and be competent in the language by the time they start school.
Try to make learning French fun for your child. There are a number of great resources available that make learning a foreign language interactive and engaging for children. Try using songs, games, and activities to introduce new vocabulary words and phrases. You can also try watching children’s movies and television shows in French or reading books together in both French and English.
And finally, it is important to be consistent when teaching your child French. Try to set aside some time each day or week to work on French with your child. Even if it is just for 15-20 minutes, consistency will help your child remember what they have learned and make progress more quickly. You can also look for other opportunities to expose them to the language outside of dedicated study time, such as listening to French music or finding bilingual friends who can speak both languages with your child.
Learning a language can take time and effort, but is definitely worth it in the long run! Supporting your child as they learn can be difficult, but they will appreciate it, even if they don’t say so.
Your child will also benefit from the one on one attention of a private French tutor. Tutors are available to work with your child online via Skype or in-person, depending on location and availability. Find a French tutor today!
Carol Beth L. teaches French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She also studied Japanese in high school and college. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009. Learn more about Carol Beth here!
Photo by Richard Leeming
Suzy S.