Watching television or videos in different languages is now easier than ever. Your child can watch cartoons in English. Or they can watch videos on YouTube or social media. We learn a language by hearing it spoken – and watching English language television or videos gives your child this repeated exposure they need. The visuals help your children understand what is going on, the storyline keeps them interested -- and they are learning English, all at the same time!
Of course, it also helps to send your child to English classes. You want engaging English classes for children, led by expert teachers who are trained to help children learn English.
Why it helps to show interest in what your child is watching on television
For many years I have been teaching English to young children. In my experience, children learn English best when you also show genuine interest in what they are watching onscreen. Talk about the characters with them, or laugh together about something that happened in the story. Join in when the characters shout out ‘Stop!’ ‘Don’t do that!’ ‘Over here!’ Or have fun with the sounds in the programme like ‘Boing’ ‘Pow!’ ‘Boom!’ Here are great free English teaching videos, games and songs for children
You can also ask your child questions about the characters or the storyline, such as, ‘Why do you think he did that? Where did she go afterwards? What do you think will happen in the next episode?’ This type of engagement with the characters and plot can helps children reflect on what they’ve been watching, organise their thoughts and develop their English comprehension. Keep the conversation fun and light hearted (rather than a test). It’s fine to have this conversation in your home language if you don’t speak English.
What if my child doesn’t understand any English words in the video?
Your child probably understands a lot more English vocabulary than they think. Very young children may not even realise they are watching a television programme or cartoon in English. They enjoy it and follow the action, as if the programme is in their own home language.
If your child says they don’t understand any of the English words, do not worry. See how much they can understand by watching what the characters are doing. And if your child has heard some English words -- perhaps in English class -- ask them if they can hear any of those words in the show? Watch their faces light up when they realise they do know some English vocabulary words!
Get up from the sofa and be active together
Many parents worry about too much screen time, because we know children need lots of physical activity. Watching screens is often passive – but you can make it more active. If the characters in the cartoon are dancing, get up and dance along with them. Encourage your child to move around the room to music at the beginning and end of the programme, and join in with the actions in songs. In early childhood, physical development and language development are interdependent. This is why movement and dance also helps your child to remember new English words and expressions.
Why it helps to watch their favourite video again, and again, and again…
Young children love to watch the same episode of their favourite television programme over, and over again. This is a good thing, because repetition is extremely valuable for learning English. Children learn words by hearing them, often. So the more they watch their favourite video, the more they understand the English words they hear. Eventually they will be able to join in. So, make the most of your child’s natural urge to watch the same English language cartoon a million times.
How to use play to activate your child’s English language learning
Ask questions about the characters and the storyline in the video. Or get paper and crayons and ask your child to draw pictures of their favourite characters or scenes. If your child prefers playing with playdough or plasticine, let them make a sculpture of their favourite character!
You can activate their English vocabulary learning even more by talking together about the character’s physical characteristics in English (his eyes, hair. Is he tall, short, fat, thin, long, big, and so on). Or talk about the colours they’ve chosen, in English. And if you don’t speak English, ask your child to teach you some English words to describe the things they have made or drawn!
You can also encourage your child to dress up as a character and act out a scene. This is even more fun if friends or siblings are involved.
Observe your child as they play
Sometimes, asking questions is not the best way to discover if your child is learning English. It is not unusual for a young child to stay silent if they feel put on the spot. Or when they are not sure why you are asking a question. For example, a seemingly simple question in English like, ‘What colour is the car in the video?’ may confuse some very young children. They may think ‘Why does mummy want to know that? Can’t she see it’s a red car?’ Faced with this confusion, the child may decide not to answer.
Instead, try quietly observing your young child while they play. Look out for these clues that show your child is learning to use English to communicate:
- your child uses English words to describe some of their toys
- your child uses English expressions in a pretend play game
- your child plays a television character, and uses their English catchphrases or expressions
- your child sings a song in English, while they play.
In conclusion, television, social media and the internet can help your children learn English – especially when you are also involved. With your parental guidance and enthusiasm, television can be a great tool to help your children learn English, but it works best when you make that screen time in English a part of quality interactions with your children.