Starting English as a Family: Tips for Parents

When a child starts learning English, support from the family can make a real difference.

This does not mean that parents need to speak perfect English or become teachers at home. In fact, one of the most useful things parents can do is much simpler: create a positive attitude towards the language and provide small opportunities to use it outside the classroom.

Here are some practical ways to support your child as they begin learning English.

1. Make English part of the routine

Children often learn best when language appears naturally and regularly.

You can introduce small amounts of English into everyday routines: say “Good morning”, count objects, name colours, talk about the weather or say “See you later” when leaving.

There is no need to turn your whole family routine into an English lesson. A few minutes of regular exposure can be enough to reinforce what your child is learning in class.

2. Use songs, stories and videos

Songs and stories are particularly effective with young learners because they combine repetition, context and enjoyment.

Songs give children opportunities to practise pronunciation, rhythm and vocabulary without the activity feeling like formal study.

Picture books can also help children connect words with images and situations. Even if they do not understand every word, they can often follow the story through context.

Short, age-appropriate videos in English can provide similar benefits.

3. Do not correct every mistake

Mistakes are a normal part of learning a new language.

Constant correction can sometimes make children more self-conscious and less willing to speak.

If your child says something such as “He go to school”, you do not necessarily need to stop the conversation and explain the grammar. You can simply respond using the correct form:

“Yes, he goes to school every day.”

This gives your child an accurate model without making every attempt feel like a test.

4. Praise effort, not just correct answers

Learning a language involves experimenting, making mistakes and trying again.

For this reason, it is useful to recognise effort and willingness to communicate, even when the English is not yet perfect.

Simple comments such as “I understood you” or “Good try” can help children associate using English with a positive experience.

The aim is to build confidence and curiosity rather than a fear of getting things wrong.

5. Ask simple questions

Short questions can help children turn passive vocabulary into language they can actually use.

For example:

“What colour is it?”

“How many can you see?”

“What’s your favourite animal?”

“What did you do today?”

Questions should match the child’s level. For a beginner, answering with a single word or short phrase may be more than enough.

6. Play in English

Games provide natural opportunities to practise language.

Memory games, cards, drawing, mime and simple board games can all be used to practise colours, numbers, animals, actions and instructions.

For example, a game of “Simon Says” can be used to practise instructions such as:

“Jump.”

“Touch your head.”

“Turn around.”

English becomes much more meaningful to children when it is connected to something they are doing rather than simply something they have to memorise.

7. Let your child teach you

One particularly useful strategy is to ask your child to teach you something they learned in class.

You might ask:

“What did you learn today?”

“How do you say ‘perro’ in English?”

“Can you teach me the song?”

Explaining something to another person can help consolidate learning and gives the child an active, positive role.

It does not matter if you already know the answer.

8. Avoid comparing progress

Every child learns at a different pace.

Some children begin speaking quickly, while others need more time to listen and process the language before they are ready to use it confidently.

Comparing a child with siblings, friends or classmates can create unnecessary pressure.

It is more useful to focus on their individual progress: what they can understand now that they could not understand before, what new words they are using and the situations in which they are becoming more confident.

9. Keep expectations realistic

Learning English takes time.

A child may recognise many words before they begin using them spontaneously. They may also understand a question perfectly but still answer in their first language.

This is a normal part of the learning process.

Regular exposure, practice and consistent support produce results over time, even when progress is not immediately visible from one week to the next.

10. Work together with their teacher

Parents and teachers have different but complementary roles.

A teacher can provide guidance on what is being covered in class, which materials are appropriate for extra practice and where a child may need additional support.

At home, parents can help by providing exposure, encouragement and relaxed opportunities to use the language.

Learning English can be a shared experience

You do not need to speak perfect English to support your child.

Showing interest, taking part in some activities and creating an environment where experimenting with the language feels normal can already have a significant impact.

When English is connected with songs, games, stories and shared family moments, it stops feeling like just another school subject and begins to become a real tool for communication.

At IH Recoleta, our courses for children focus on communication and active learning, helping students develop their English progressively through dynamic, age-appropriate activities.