What are the most effective ways to teach a language to my child?

By Vanessa Bicomong

Do you want your child to be fluent in a second language?  Whether it's English, Filipino, Spanish, Chinese, or others, these are the 5 most effective ways to help kids learn the language at home.

1. Immersion: Create an immersive environment by speaking the second language at home as much as possible. This will help children become familiar with the language and develop their listening and speaking skills. Reading books, watching TV shows, and listening to music in the second language can also help immerse children in the language. Check out the Filipino books or TV shows we recommend for children here

2. Consistency: Consistency is key when it comes to learning a second language. Establish a routine for using the second language at home, such as setting aside a specific time each day for language practice. This will help children develop their language skills more quickly. 

3. Games and Activities: Incorporate games and activities that use the second language into daily life at home. For example, play board games, sing songs, or do arts and crafts projects that use the second language. This will make language learning fun and engaging for children. 

4. Conversation Partners: Whether it's the neighbors or classmates, talking frequently with someone who is a native speaker of the second language -- and is someone they like -- will greatly encourage the child to improve in the language.

5. Language Programs: Consider programs where children can practice speaking with others in the second language. This can be done virtually (from home) and can help children develop their language skills and cultural awareness. To know how our WIKA’Y GALING program teaches Filipino as a second language, check out this article.

At The Learning Library, we've been teaching Filipino as a second language to children since 2009.  Our WIKA'Y GALING! program is based on children's literature and makes Filipino language learning fun!  Know more about our online Filipino class at www.learninglibraries.com.