Learn English at Home: Make English Learning a Fun Family Adventure

Many parents want their kids to learn English at home, but they just don’t know where to start or how to make this happen. Parents might think the best thing to do is give them homework activities to do on their own, but this just ends up in unfinished tasks, sometimes tears, and resentment of learning. I mean, who wants to sit there and write down vocabulary words repeatedly? Is this learning English? 

So how can parents help their children learn English at home?  

This guide will provide English games, ESL activities, ESL resources, and strategies to transform English learning at home into a fun learning adventure for the whole family. 

Understanding Your Children’s English Learning Needs

It’s fair to say that learning a new language cannot happen overnight. Instead, it’s a process that includes many years of hard work, dedication, and consistent motivation.

Imagine explaining to your child that to speak English, they will need to put in many years of hard work and dedication. Their brains will immediately clock out, and English will just become another chore or boring task they have to do. This can ultimately lead to academic boredom. 

It doesn’t need to be that way, though. Learning English at home can allow you to engage in fun activities and English games that will turn your kids ‘mindsets from chores to playtime.

Let’s look at some other benefits of learning English at home.

Benefits of learning English at home

Learning English as a family at home offers multiple benefits.

Firstly, studying English together provides parents with the opportunity to participate in their children’s education actively, demonstrating the value of lifelong learning.

Additionally, learning English is the exact opposite of the saying “It’s like riding a bicycle” because riding a bicycle is something you never forget once you learn it. On the other hand, learning English is an ongoing process. You must practice, learn new words and grammar rules, and apply this to everyday life. By teaching your kids English at home, you allow them to speak continuously daily, ensuring they stay fluent.  

Lastly, besides the actual learning of English, it also provides a sense of togetherness and strengthens family bonds. You create a supportive and positive learning environment by engaging in shared activities and supporting each other’s English learning journey.

Tips and tricks to Create a positive environment to Learn English at Home

Creating a positive learning environment is highly important in schools and should be applied in your home as well.

Here is how you can create a positive English learning environment at home:

·   Designated learning space: It’s important to dedicate a specific area in your home for English learning. Make sure this area has good natural lighting and is well organized.

·   Encourage curiosity: It is recommended to supply your kids with a variety of learning materials. These materials can include English books, English games, or even English apps. Let them explore and encourage them to ask questions about the things they find interesting.

·   Establish routines: Try to stick to a schedule. Choose a time of day that is best suitable for your child or you.

·   Supportive atmosphere: Praise, praise, and praise some more. Encouragement creates an open and comfortable atmosphere for your child to try new things or ask for help.

·   Open communication: Communicate often with your child about their learning needs and challenges so you can adjust any methods you are currently using.

Stages of English Learning: What stage is your kid in?

Before introducing English games and activities, it is crucial to determine your child’s current stage of language learning. If the activities are too challenging, they may struggle to learn; if they are too easy, there will be limited growth opportunities.

The stages of language learning are:

1. Pre-production Stage: In this stage, a child may have limited comprehension and cannot speak much English. These children might use non-verbal communication in the form of gestures or drawings.

2. Early Production Stage: This is the stage where children start to understand and speak simple, short sentences. This comes in the form of basic vocabulary and simple present tense verbs.

3. Speech Emergence Stage: Here, children can use more complex language structures by expressing opinions and widening their vocabulary.

4. Intermediate Fluency Stage: Conversation becomes the norm, and children can express their ideas using complex grammatical sentence structures.

5. Advanced Fluency Stage: the final stage of language learning is when your children are at a similar level to their peers who are native speakers.  

It’s important to keep your child’s learning stage in mind so that you can identify which English games and activities to incorporate into your family’s daily routine.  

Incorporating English games into your daily routine

Learning through play is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to enhance your child’s language skills.

Incorporating English games into your daily routine not only makes learning fun but also provides opportunities for the practical application of language knowledge.

Here is a list of English games you can include in your daily routine:

1.  Word association

Word association is an English game that focuses on vocabulary and encourages your children to think quickly. This game is perfect for children who are in the early production stage, speech emergence stage, and intermediate fluency stage. 

2. Charades  

Charades is a game that focuses on vocabulary. This game is perfect for reviewing vocabulary words that have been taught before. This game is suitable for children in the pre-production stage, early production stage, speech emergence stage, and intermediate fluency stage. 

3. Wordshake 

Wordshake is a vocabulary game. This game helps your children with problem-solving and thinking outside the box. This game is suitable for children in the early production stage, speech emergence stage, and intermediate fluency stage. 

4. Four Pics one word

This is a picture game that assists in vocabulary studying. Not only is this game good for vocabulary, but it will also make your child think in English.  This game is suitable for children in the early production stage, speech emergence stage, and intermediate fluency stage. 

5. Scrabble 

Scrabble is an all-time classic that will help your children with vocabulary and spelling. Scrabble should be included if your child is in the early production stage, speech emergence stage,  intermediate fluency stage, and advanced fluency stage. 

If you are looking for a detailed explanation on how to play these games head on over here.  

ESL activities that use technology to enhance English learning at Home

Now, you are at a crossroads and feel confused because your child doesn’t want to play these games with you. They are more interested in their iPads or playing on their phones. 

That’s okay! Incorporating technology into English learning with these ESL activities is very possible and super engaging too. 

There are tons of apps and websites tailored to specific needs and interests. Platforms often have interactive lessons, grammar exercises, and vocabulary quizzes. 

Here is a list of the most entertaining and educational websites for English learning: 

1. Bamboozle: This is an online English quiz game where you can choose a variety of topics and types of games. This is a multiplayer game, so the whole family can get involved. 

2. Kahoot: Kahoot is another English quiz game that allows you to either create your quiz or simply pick from premade quizzes. You can choose to focus on vocabulary or grammar. This is a multiplayer game. Additionally, you can download their apps to find more suitable games for your child’s stage of language learning. 

3. Blooket: similar to the games mentioned above, Blooket is a quiz-based game where you can create games or choose from premade games. This is also a multiplayer game where the family can get involved. 

4. Games to Learn English: This is a website where you can choose from a large selection of premade games. From classics like Hangman all the way to word searches. This website is perfect for children in the beginning phases of language learning. These are single-player games, so you can sit back, relax, and watch your children learn. 

5. British Council: This is a website great for children in the beginning stages of language learning. Here, you can find very simple and fun games for young children to enjoy by themselves. 

Work with technology and not against it. You can use screen time as learning time. A good tip would be to set aside dedicated screen time for ESL activities and make this part of your child’s routine. 

Aside from games, watching TV shows and cartoons in English is another effective method of teaching your child English at home. 

Learning English Through Media 

Learning English at home through media entertainment and books can be a great way to get some additional English time during the day. 

This can be an activity for the whole family; you can watch something together and discuss the characters and plot afterward.

If you need to provide subtitles in your home language, that’s okay too. Small steps are steps, and soon, you won’t need the subtitles. 

Doing this not only develops language but also improves pronunciation and cultural understanding.  

Learning English Through Books

A study conducted by IBSA states that children aged 3-6 years old who participate in intensive reading aloud yield a 20% increase in oral text comprehension and a 38.6% improvement in emotional competence and control. 

It would be advised to start with children’s books from writers such as Dr. Seus and move on to more advanced books like Harry Potter when your children start moving up the stages in language learning. 

Reading a few pages aloud before bed is a great way to get your child thinking in English. 

ESL Resources for learning English at home

There are tons of free and paid resources for learning English at home. Let’s look at some listening, grammar, and reading resources. The majority of them are free resources. 

The ESL Educator offers a bunch of listening exercises and tips to practice English. You can access ESL Educator here. 

When it comes to grammar practice, platforms like TES provide some popular grammar resources that are both paid and free. 

For improving reading skills, websites like LearnEnglish Teens by the British Council and ESL Fast offer some engaging materials that are suitable for different levels. 

How to Motivate Your Children to Learn English 

Motivation is key when learning something new. Celebrating milestones and achievements with your kids can be made super fun! 

One idea is to create a sticker chart. Every time they master a new vocabulary word or have a conversation in English, they can choose a cool sticker to add to their chart. When they get ten stickers, they get to pick a reward, such as a small toy or treat. Seeing those stickers keeps them eager and excited to learn more. 

Another idea is to have a list of rewards, like getting extra play time, picking the movie for the family, or even a special outing to a favorite place. 

Of course, lots of praise and encouragement goes a long way in keeping them confident in their English skills and motivated to learn. Celebrating these efforts, whether they are big or small, helps create a positive learning environment for the whole family. 

Here is a Free Printable Rewards Chart that you can download and print. Click here to get your Freebie Rewards Chart!

Conclusion: Embracing the adventure of learning English as a family

Dive into the fun of learning English as a family at home. 

It’s time to turn your journey into an enjoyable experience with positivity, creativity, and some celebration too. 

From in-person English games to online tech tools and interactive ESL activities, explore it all together! 

Keep up the work by exploring new ESL resources and celebrating milestones together. Watch your children’s language skills improve, and your bond grow stronger.