What's the Best Age to Start English Language Learning for Young Learners? Exploring Tips, Challenges, and Advantages!
- Miss Marilena
- Sep 26, 2024
- 4 min read
Are you a parent wondering when to start your child's English language learning journey? Many factors come into play when deciding the best age to introduce English to young learners. In this article, we will dive into the world of ESL (English as a Second Language) classrooms and discuss the ideal age to kickstart your child's learning adventure, effective tips for teaching English to young learners, and the challenges and advantages associated with starting language lessons at different developmental stages. If you like these kind of posts register with my email list and never miss a post from me!
The Early Bird Catches the English Worm
When is the right time to start English lessons for young learners? Research suggests that the earlier children are exposed to a new language, the better their linguistic abilities will develop. Introducing English to kids as early as 3-5 years old can be highly beneficial. At this age, children's brains are like sponges, eagerly absorbing new information and forming language structures that can set a strong foundation for future learning.
In my personal 10 year experience in teaching English, I have noticed a pattern of amazing use and understanding of the language when children start their English lessons early. Children as young as 4-5 or even 6 who start dabbling with English for the first time have better results than children who start their English journey at 9. Remember though that these are generalizations and observations I made as a teacher throughout the years without forgetting that there were many exceptions to this rule. I have met many students who started their English journey later in life, but were still able to catch up with their fellow students, one of them being me.
The best age to start learning English is 5 to 6. The latest age to start learning English should be 7 or 8 if your child's goal is to have the IELTS certificate by the time they are in high-school.
The point is that the latest a student starts the more they have to catch up and keep up with their fellow classmates. Nowadays in Cyprus, high-schoolers are expected to finish with their IELTS or IGCSE certification by the first year of high-school. In order to achieve that, if we take into account the seven or eight levels they must complete before that, students should begin their ESL journey at age seven or eight. Any English lessons before that age just gives your child a better start to this long and sometimes difficult journey to their IELTS.
Starting as early as 6 will give your child the option to have fun, draw and sing in English for the first two years in his Pre-Junior classes before moving on into more difficult grammar and vocabulary. Pre-Junior classes is what makes learning English fun in my opinion. Try not to skip those important years where the child gets into the world of English with the most fun way. Learning should always be fun so you need to make sure the teacher you choose has the right philosophy about that.
Tips for Teaching English to Young Learners
Make it Fun : Games, songs, and interactive activities keep young learners engaged and eager to learn.
Visual Aids : Using colorful flashcards, storybooks, and videos to help children associate words with images.
Repetition is Key : Practice makes perfect. Regular practice and repetition reinforces learning.
Encourage Communication : Create a language-rich environment where children can practice speaking and listening to English daily. Help them remember common sentences used in class such as "Where is my pen?", "What? Come again?"
Challenges at Different Developmental Stages
Starting at a Young Age :
Attention Span : Young children may have shorter attention spans, requiring more interactive and dynamic teaching methods. This is the perfect chance to make English fun and help children love learning.
Pronunciation : While young learners can pick up accents easily, they may struggle with pronunciation accuracy. It is such a small setback though to the benefit of introducing the language early.
Starting at a Later Age :
Inhibitions : Older children or teenagers might feel self-conscious when speaking a new language. Classes with younger children on their level might feel too childish for them but at the same time difficult when it comes to proficiency.
Learning Speed : It may take longer for older learners to grasp grammar rules and vocabulary compared to younger children. If you need some help with grammar or writing in English check this post with my very own personal free handouts.
Benefits of Early Language Learning
Cognitive Development : Learning a new language enhances cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills. In other words learning languages early helps the child's brain work even better.
Cultural Understanding : Early exposure to English can foster a deeper appreciation for different cultures and perspectives.
Career Opportunities : Proficiency in English opens up a world of career possibilities in an increasingly globalized job market.
In Conclusion
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to start your English language learning. My recommendation is to always have English lessons as early as possible. However, each child is unique, and factors like individual interest, learning style, learning difficulties and exposure to English in daily life should be considered. Set your family priorities and decide what is best for you and your child. By incorporating engaging teaching methods, addressing age-specific challenges, and make use of the advantages of early language learning, you can set your child on a path to success from an early age.
Are you ready to embark on this exciting language learning journey with your child? Remember, whether they start at 5 or 9, the key is to make the process enjoyable and rewarding. Stay enthusiastic, patient, and supportive, and watch as your child blossoms into a confident English speaker! I hope you find this article helpful. Whatever you decide remember learning English should always be fun. Toodaloo!
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We are lucky we found you Miss Marilena μας! My son started English at 8 and he loves it. Thank you 🙏