There are numerous benefits for children learning a foreign language. It is shown to improve memory, keep the brain healthy, and improve test scores in other academic areas. Here are a few tips for teaching your homeschooler a foreign language.
Utilize Technology
There are hundreds of websites, apps, and online teaching resources that can be used to help you teach your child a foreign language. Duolingo is a popular app that breaks languages down into short and engaging lessons. Websites like Open Culture and YouTube offer free videos that can assist with lessons and vocabulary. Do some exploring with your child and find something that works for both of you.
Consider Language Immersion
Language immersion is the process of only speaking a foreign language to a student for a certain period of time. This is the easiest to achieve if a parent or family member is fluent in the language you want your child to learn. If this isn’t your situation, reach out to a friend or colleague and see if they can help.
Employ Movies and Books
A fun way to encourage a second language is to watch movies in that language with English (or their native language’s) subtitles turned on. This will help them connect words and phrases in a way that makes sense. You can also listen to familiar audiobooks in another language while they follow along with the English text.
Travel
If you are able to, traveling is one of the most immersive ways to encourage language learning. Your child will literally be surrounded in a new language and culture. It will be both fun and educational to decipher menus, traffic signs, and newspapers in another part of the world. This isn’t possible for everyone, of course, but take advantage of the opportunity if you have it.
Be Patient
Learning a foreign language is hard! Be patient with your homeschooler as they navigate these often difficult waters. Encourage them to try their best and don’t make them feel rushed. It takes years of dedication to become fluent, so this is a long-term goal.
HomeschoolFacts.com has a complete list of support groups to help support you in your homeschooling endeavors and connect with homeschoolers near you. You can search the list of support groups here: https://www.homeschoolfacts.com/homeschool-support-groups.html