Boost your child's confidence with fun English learning

By Singapore Teaching Centre, British Council

15 July 2024 - 09:00

The role of confidence in learning

Confidence and effective learning outcomes are deeply connected, particularly among children and teens. A confident child is more inclined to participate actively in class and embrace new educational challenges. In Singapore, where English is both the main language of instruction and the official language of business and everyday life, fluency in English is essential.

For children from expat families or non-English-speaking backgrounds, starting English education as early as three years old is beneficial for their language development. According to The Asian Parent, using age-appropriate teaching methods from an early age supports effective language development, thus fostering the confidence necessary for children to thrive.

How the British Council boosts confidence in young learners

At the British Council, our English courses for kids and teens are designed to enhance language proficiency, develop essential 21st-century skills, and promote cultural awareness. Here's how our tailored programs across different age groups aim to achieve these objectives:

Age group	Focus	Description	Key benefits
Ages 3-5	Learning Time with Timmy	Purposeful play activities that develop communication, creativity, and critical thinking.	Taps into your child’s natural curiosity and teaches essential developmental skills.
Ages 6-9	Literacy curriculum	Uses literature to inspire curiosity and help children think about the world around them.	Boosts children's confidence and encourages them to explore new concepts and solve problems.
Ages 10-12	Rigorous programme	Promotes academic excellence and 21st century skills through diverse texts and activities.	Helps children learn strategies for academic success while nurturing their communication, critical thinking, and self-reflection skills.
Ages 13-17	Real world preparation	Engages students with contemporary topics to develop a global mindset and critical thinking.	Encourages teenagers to be independent and provides them with opportunities to use real-life skills.

Explore our English courses for kids and teens

Learning in a safe and secure environment

We make sure that learning English is safe and positive. Our teachers build strong, supportive relationships with students, helping them to overcome their worries, participate in class, and achieve their goals.

Our teachers work to create a friendly and encouraging environment where students can set their own goals and learn important skills like confidence, resilience, and problem-solving. This approach ultimately does more than improve their English—it prepares students for future challenges and opportunities.

What our students say about our English courses for kids and teens

Emily, Secondary 4, Napier Road Centre

'The British Council's classroom environment promotes relaxed interactions, which, in turn, enhances my English learning experience.'

Regular feedback for real progress

Regular, helpful feedback helps children learn better. We work together with parents to support our students' growth because teamwork can enhance learning. Here's how we facilitate this approach:

Partnering with parents: We know parents play a key role in their child's education. We go beyond the classroom to involve you in your child's learning. We give you clear advice and support so you can help your child practice and gain confidence at home. This teamwork ensures your child keeps learning, both at school and at home.
Empowering students: As children grow and get ready for higher grades, we help them become independent and recognise their unique talents and ways of learning. We provide them with chances to study independently and think about their progress. This helps them feel responsible and motivated, building confidence to help them succeed now and in the future.

What parents say about our English courses for kids and teens

Than Htike Aung, parent of Myat Minn Sitt (Tydus), Kindergarten 1, Napier Road Centre

'My son's confidence has grown in communicating with peers using extended English sentences, and he has begun using the correct English tenses when speaking. I am pleased with the teacher who offers feedback to parents about areas in which their child needs improvement.'

Confidence beyond language proficiency

We recognise that English learning isn't just about grammar and vocabulary proficiency; it creates opportunities and cultivates broader skills and qualities:

Empowering social interactions: Being a confident English speaker helps children communicate clearly and make friends easily. This builds strong and inclusive relationships.
Leadership and initiative: Proficiency in English empowers students to be leaders in school, clubs, and future careers. This, in turn, increases their confidence to embark on new endeavours and set an excellent example for others.
Global cultural insights: English exposes children to diverse cultures, which fosters empathy and broadens their perspective of the world.
Formulating independent perspectives: Good English skills help students think critically about important issues and share their ideas.

Interested in our English courses for kids and teens?

The ability to communicate confidently in English opens a world of possibilities, from enhanced social interactions and leadership opportunities to a deeper understanding of global cultures and the capacity to engage with current issues critically.

The British Council prepares your child to thrive in a fast-moving world. See how our English courses can help them grow into confident, global citizens.

Learn more on our English courses for kids and teens