6 Ways to Strengthen Your Child’s Foreign Language Learning Skills

In today’s globalized world, proficiency in multiple languages has become a valuable skill, especially in multi-ethnic and multilingual communities like Singapore. Apart from being exposed to other cultures, children who learn another language can eliminate potential language barriers that may hinder their ability to take advantage of opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.

With schools being one of the places where children learn from, through our findings, some international schools which offer “American curriculum in Singapore” for example, have provided a good practice to facilitate children communicate confidently with people from various cultural backgrounds.

Additionally, learning a foreign language is known to improve children’s cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that bilingualism may enhance attention and the ability to navigate ambiguous or contradictory information, which in turn aids in effective communication.

For instance, knowing multiple words for the same concept may help children grasp that objects or events can be represented in various ways, enhancing their understanding of others’ perspectives. Moreover, knowing a second language helps children have better careers once they reach adulthood. With the continuous demand for multilingual individuals, a child with a grasp of another language will have more opportunities for professional growth later in life.

Now, as a parent, you play a key role in nurturing your child’s language-learning journey, regardless if they’re still infants or already school-age. Each developmental stage presents unique opportunities to foster multilingualism. With that in mind, consider these practical strategies tailored to support your child’s foreign language development from their earliest years through adolescence.

Introduce a Language to Your Child in Infancy

Learning a foreign language can start even during infancy. After all, babies learn to communicate even before they formulate words. They would use crying, pointing, and making sounds to communicate their needs. Needless to say, even at this very young age, your child is paying attention to what you do and using it as a basis to communicate what they want.

Consider adopting simple strategies, like incorporating songs and nursery rhymes—in the foreign language you want them to learn—into daily routines such as feeding or bathing. You can also narrate your actions or name objects your baby is playing with in the language you want them to learn. Babies can be sensitive to your pitch and voice, so enunciating foreign words with their appropriate tones can help to better expose your child to the new language.

Read Foreign Language Books to Your Child During Their Toddler Years

Reading to your toddler is an effective way to help their language development. Doing so will assist in your child’s ability to recognize letters and words, as well as expand their vocabulary. If you read books and tell stories in a foreign language, it will help your child pick up the words faster. It will also help them learn how to construct statements to describe actions in a foreign language.

Additionally, labeling objects around the house with their foreign language equivalents and narrating activities in both languages can help reinforce your child’s vocabulary. It’s also a good idea to engage your child in interactive activities like peek-a-boo or naming body parts in the target language to facilitate language learning.

Play Engaging Language-Focused Games 

As children progress into preschool and early elementary years, using pretend play to strengthen their foreign language learning skills can be beneficial.

Encourage your child to use their imagination as they create storylines, plots, characters, and emotions to tell stories in a foreign language. All these can help them discover new vocabulary and put together phrases and sentences.

You can also engage your child in language games such as memory or matching games using flashcards with words or pictures in the target language. Also consider interactive apps designed for young learners to reinforce their vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and syntax in a fun and interactive manner.

Encourage Structured Foreign Language Learning When Your Child Reaches Middle Childhood

During middle childhood, children deepen their language skills through continued exposure and practice. Setting aside a time when they can practice speaking, writing, or reading can help them improve their command of a second language.

In addition to the structured learning experience, utilizing resources such as language learning websites or educational apps tailored to their interests can supplement formal instruction and provide additional practice opportunities. Encouraging children to explore their interests in the target language, whether through reading books, watching movies, or playing video games, also fosters a sense of autonomy and motivation in their language-learning journey.

Encourage Real-World Foreign Language Use During Adolescence 

As your child reaches adolescence, their language learning takes on a more nuanced approach. This is when authentic communication becomes crucial, whether through conversations with native speakers, participation in language exchange programs, or study abroad experiences.

Your role as a parent is to support your child by encouraging them to set specific language learning goals and providing opportunities for real-world language use.

Consider options like volunteering, interning, or traveling in countries where the target language is spoken. Furthermore, emphasizing the practical benefits of language proficiency, such as enhanced career opportunities and cross-cultural communication skills, reinforces the value of continued language learning.

Create a Language Rich-Home

Regardless of your child’s age, you can nurture their language learning journey by creating a language-rich environment at home. Speak the language as often as you can with your children.

You can consider incorporating language learning into daily routines, whether you’re cooking together or sharing stories about each others’ days. Additionally, celebrating milestones and progress along the way is essential as this helps maintain motivation and enthusiasm for language learning.

Whether your child is an infant or an adolescent, each stage of their development offers new opportunities to cultivate their multilingual minds. Consider adopting these tailored strategies for language learning. Moreover, provide consistent encouragement to help empower your children to unlock the countless benefits of language competence.