Learn a New Language as a Family | 9 tips for learning together
How to learn a new language…
Learning a new language as a family can be great fun. It works well because not only can you motivate each other but you also have live-in conversation partners.
We’ve put together 9 tips that will help your family to learn a new language together:
1. Decide on a language together.
Of you’re going to be learning a new language as a family then it’s really important that everyone is on board with the idea.
There are lots of reasons as to why you might want to learn a language. Whether it’s to because you have family who speak a particular language or because you’re all planning a trip abroad.
Discuss your options and choose the language you’re going to learn together.
2. Surround yourself with the language.
So, you’ve decided on the language that you’re going to learn as a family.
Now, think about your day-to-day lives. Consider the simple things you enjoy doing and how you can incorporate your chosen language.
Music, books, TV, radio…
Anything that interests you.
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Don’t forget to change your phone’s language, the Xbox, tablet etc.
You’ll be amazed how much you’ll learn by making these little changes.
3. Read together
There are so many lovely books to be enjoyed together and reading simpler children’s books together is the perfect way to pick up new words.
These are our favourite French books for kids.
One-illustrated and skilfully-crafted stories”.
Each box includes an illustrated story, a digital audiobook narrated by a native speaker, an activity pack, and flashcards to reinforce their learning.
4. Play with words
Learning a new language as a family has to be enjoyable if you’re going to keep it up.
Thankfully, it’s not that hard because there are loads of great interactive language learning apps that are good fun and educational.
Duolingo is perfect for older children and adults. It’s free to use and there are loads of languages to choose from.
Memrise is fun too and again is available in many languages.
If you have younger children then see if you can find some talking toys (like these French and Spanish language toys.)
5. Movie Night
Netflix is a brilliant resource as you can watch several international movies with English captions.
You can also sonetimes change the language of your favourite things to watch.
6. Take a classes togerher.
Classes might be more fun together.
If you have small children then check out Lingotots who offer award-winning language classes for tots.
7. Don’t be afraid of mistakes! –
Learning with children can really help to relax adult learners.
Being a little more child-like ourselves can mean that we feel less self-conscious and don’t mind making mistakes.
8. Set a time and place.
Pick a set time or place when you will consistently try talking your new language together e.g. at breakfast or on the way to school.
It’s much more likely that you’ll commit to learning a language together if it becomes part of your existing routine…rather than just another thing you need to find time for.
9. Travel
What better way is there to learn a new language as a family than to visit a country where it’s spoken.
Practice your new skills every day!
Depending on your confidence this isn’t always as easy as we’d like it to be!
If you’re like me, you may feel like an awkward thirteen year old in an oral exam again!
Keep at it though…it gets easier.
Traveling is so much simpler and more interesting if you can communicate with the people who live there…even a little!
| Whatever language your learning for whatever reason…you can do it! Let me know in the comments what language/s you’re learning and if you have any other tips for learning a new language as a family!
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I live with an Italian although I could speak it before we met but he speaks it to our boys and it means I get to practise and hear it every day. He also reads to them in Italian. I also agree that making mistakes is good because you’ll always remember you went wrong. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
Definitely helps hearing someone speak it regularly!
This is interesting – I’d always assumed that language learning was easier for children, so it looks like I was wrong! I’d love to learn more languages, or more of the languages I know a little of, so maybe I’ll try some of these tips. Thanks for linking up with #KCACOLS
There are so many different studies that to be honest…who knows! Basically most of us have the ability to learn another language but children tend to have a lot more time than adults! And they’re more used to making mistakes!
We have a multilingual family, I speak Arabic, Welsh, English, French German and a little bit of Spanish kids are like sponges they’re amazing at picking up new languages! I’ve ordered the BBC reading and flashcards in French for the kids before. Challenge you to Mandarin? 😀
Wow Shan that’s amazing! We speak Welsh too ☺
Gwych! Iaith cyntaf ein cartref ni ❤️❤️
Da iawn!
Love all of these suggestions, especially the part about not being afraid of making mistakes, I do wonder if that’s what holds back a lot of adults when they’re trying to learn a new language. My children are learning Welsh at school and I’m really aware that I don’t speak it. I find the thought of trying to learn it quite intimidating, but maybe it doesn’t have to be! x KCACOLS
Love these ideas! I’m trying to raise Olivia bilingually (French) but it’s difficult as I’m not native and my husband is still learning too! #KCACOLS
I have a degree in French and can honestly say that most of my French was learnt in the bar. It is absolutely right that you have to immerse yourself in the language. pen x #KCACOLs
I have taught French to adults for quite a few years. I asked my best students how they did it : oh nothing much they would say but admitted after further prodding practising / listening to “cassettes” everyday. Cassettes might be a thing of the past but the principle stand : a little everyday gently does it.
Another thing not to shy away from is repetition which is where children have an advantage since they will ask / repeat until they have got it and not feel embarrassed.
Keep it fun and always stop before it feels like hard work.
Au revoir