“First of all, don’t worry. This is a completely normal reaction and I hear this from almost all parents who raise their children bilingual where English is not the native language of the country. In this environment, the children are exposed to the local native language but they are also integrating a second language. While this exposure may encourage and promote English language learning, in actuality, the children may not want to speak in any language other than the local mother tongue. Some children start to use speak both languages easily, but at the end of the day speaking two
languages is like any other skill—you need a lot of practice to do it well. Without practice, your child will have a harder time using both languages. So the real question is how can we help our children practice English?”

Today’s blog question: My child understands English, but he doesn’t seem to want to speak and answers in his native tongue. How can I encourage him to speak in English?

Helen answers: Well, first of all don’t worry. This is a completely normal reaction and I hear this from almost all parents where English is not the native language of the country. In this environment, their children are fully exposed to the local native language and but they are also integrating a second, or even third language. Their children may be learning English in a class they are taking or they may have an English-speaking parent, family member or nanny who very diligently speaks to them in English. While this exposure may encourage and promote English language learning, in actuality, the children may not want to speak in any language other than the local mother tongue. So, how can you help your child speak?

Input is Essential       

If your children are Helen Doron English students, have patience and they will soon speak in English outside of the lesson. If the child is in an environment where he sees that he is not being understood, he will indeed switch languages, even when very young. Otherwise, the child will sit in his comfort zone and speak the most natural, easiest language that he is able to. You can increase the input; identify some English DVDs and CDs that your children like and let them enjoy listening without pressuring them to speak.   Provide as much enjoyable input as you can, and let them start producing English at their own pace.

Read to Your Child       

Read to your children in English— Find some good English picture books that your children enjoy looking at with you and read them together at story time. You can’t read too much! Provide them with material that interests and encourages them.

Let them read for pleasure. If the child is older, see how you can support and encourage him or her to enjoy reading. With my youngest, it was Harry Potter. At the age of 14 he wouldn’t read anything but the sports newspaper, in Hebrew. So one day, I brought him the first two Harry Potter books, in English, and said, “I’ll read a paragraph aloud, then you’ll read a paragraph, in English.” He sat up and looked at me and then politely participated. After the first chapter, he motioned to me to leave and he continued reading on his own. The first book led to the second and the third books and he became a fluent reader in English and his language has been enriched.

Sing Lots of Songs       

There is so much great music for children available online. Go to the Helen Doron Song Club on YouTube for younger children or find teen channels with songs, such as Helen Doron Radio. There is something very special about hearing and singing songs in English. Songs capture the children’s attention and allow them to absorb language that is often far beyond their cognitive abilities. It will help them understand the culture and they will feel more attuned to the language and encouraged to speak more, because they like the culture.

Change the Environment      

If you are able to, travel with your child to an English-speaking environment or, if they are old enough, put them in an immersion or exchange programme. Often, a need or a problem encourages a creative response. When the situation arises that they have to speak, they will. If they are in their native environment its more natural for them to speak their native tongue. If however they find themselves in an entertaining situation and they believe in the cultural superiority of the language and feel that they are doing something of worth, they will be motivated to speak…and will do so!

Learning a second language should be a positive experience. Remember that this isn’t a race. If you are exposing your children to English regularly, in fun ways, they will be successful as they progress in their language learning. You can help them along the way, understand what they need and encourage them.