In the globalized society we have today, being bilingual offers perhaps more advantages than ever before. Studies have shown that learning another language during your childhood is sincerely much easier than doing so later when you are older. What’s more, people who are bilingual usually have better cognitive skills, amongst other numerous benefits.
When teaching your kid a second language, there are a few simple and fun ways of starting the introduction and reinforcing the new language. Here we will discuss some of the most popular methods of helping your child learn another language:
1. Food
You should begin your child’s studies somewhere very simple, such as a restaurant, whereby you will be able to introduce the new language in a fun, delicious way. You can Try and use several new words for the items on the table. If there are not any authentic restaurants that serve the cuisine of the new language’s area, you should try looking for recipes together online and then cook them just at home. Whether you are making pelmeni, enchiladas or souvlakia, a dish from another place can be an exciting point to start for your kid’s language studies.
2. Music
Have you Ever noticed how much easier it is to memorize songs compared to memorizing speech? Well, you can assist your child hone a second language with music! You should start by Checking out music from the foreign language your kid is studying by borrowing disks from the movie store or library or by looking up online. While instrumental music is a great introduction to any culture, ensure you look for music that has word so that your kid can listen to the new language in action.
In addition to just listening to music from the new culture, you should have your kid or student try to listening to music they already know but that has been sung in the new language. Something that has a familiar context, for example “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” may help them with the new language. Look up the lyrics online and have your start singing it!
3. Books
Does your kid love reading? Not all your bedtime stories should be in the native language! You should try searching for your kid’s favorite book but translated into the new language they are learning, or you can a new book which comes in 2 languages: your native language and the language your kid is studying. In both of these cases, your kid can compare and contrast the texts. Ask them which words they find very similar, and which words they find most different.
4. Games
You should try transitioning one of your kid’s favorite computer or PlayStation games to a different language. Decide what aspects, whether it’s counting money, color or numbers, should be translated to the new language which depends on your kid’s learning level. For example, an early learner may only be capable of counting the spaces in Mandarin Chinese Monopoly, while more advanced students could play the entire game in this language. You can also try playing ‘Guess Who?’ In French or ‘Go Fish’ in Spanish to work on commands, descriptive words and much more.
5. Cultural events
Look for cultural events around your hometown which are rooted into the culture of the new language you are teaching your kid. Whether the event’s theme is food, history, dance or music, cultural festivals can help your kid show what they have learned and also introduce new study areas.
Sourced from: sheknows
Photo: Thinkstock/monkeybusinessimages
