Embracing multilingualism offers myriad long-term advantages, including expanded job prospects in the global job market. Research even indicates that bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.
We all know that the best time to learn a second language is our early years. Children are sponges and can pick up a new language way faster than any young adult. However, parents and educators must navigate how to effectively support preschoolers with English as an additional language during their formative years.
Devoting ample time to child talk sessions is essential for fostering meaningful language experiences, where communication transcends mere repetition of sounds. It's imperative for children not only to parrot words but also to construct their own sentences and attribute meaning to them. A great way for them to engage in conversations is with English tutors for kids on livexp.com/online-tutors/english-for-kids. These professionals already know how to put children’s language skills into practice through role-playing or in-class interactions. Thus, children will be empowered to develop and apply their language skills with confidence.
Games, stories, and books hold significant cultural and linguistic value across various societies. Incorporating both traditional tales and contemporary narratives provides rich learning opportunities that foster children's language development and understanding.
Stories serve as vehicles for enjoyment and imagination, enabling children to explore diverse concepts and emotions. Beyond entertainment, stories play a crucial role in structuring children's thoughts and connecting ideas to existing knowledge. Through illustrated sequences, drawings, puppets, and wordless image sequences, children can express concepts in their native language, which can then be translated into English.
An effective strategy to support children learning English as an additional language in their early years is to incorporate talk into everyday activities. There are several ways to implement this approach, like engaging in conversation while participating in activities alongside the children. For example, while playing, you can say, "Could you pass me the pencil, please? Oh, that's the pen. I'll need the pen later. Thank you for passing it!"
Create opportunities for children to immerse themselves in English by surrounding them with language-rich environments. This can include labeling objects in English around the house, displaying English books and resources, and incorporating English songs, rhymes, and games into daily activities.