Whitney Foster
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5 Fun English Programs for Kids to Boost Their Language Learning to the Next Level
If you want your child to learn English, the sooner they start, the better.
This is because kids are rock stars when it comes to learning languages, and by choosing the right English learning program for kids, learning English can be a fun and inspiring experience for them.
Check out this post to learn about five fun and effective English programs for kids, how to choose the best type of program and the specific types of learning methods that work best for them.
Contents
- Fun and Effective English Programs for Kids
- Types of Resources to Consider for Teaching Your Child English
- Methods That Help Kids Learn a Language
- And One More Thing...
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Fun and Effective English Programs for Kids
Here are five of the best programs to teach children English that are available right now. Some of them offer convenient online learning, while others have the option of learning face-to-face. No matter what your situation is, you’ll be able to find something for great your child.
Muzzy BBC
What is it? Muzzy BBC is a language learning course for kids that can be used online or with a set of DVDs.
Cost of online program: $9.95 a month. Less if you commit to a longer time period.
Cost of DVDs: Trial for $9.95, then five payments of $39.50 per month, or one-time payment of $168.
Description: Muzzy BBC is an episodic program (with a story told in parts, like a TV show) that will help your child learn English the same way they are learning their native language. Muzzy uses what they call a “natural immersion process” to teach your child how to tell time, ask questions, talk about food, home, transportation and much more—all in English.
Why it’s good for kids: Muzzy is specially created for kids. The people who created the program understand that children have a natural ability to pick up languages. They expand on this by including different learning methods that will help children with many different learning styles. Parents who are learning English will benefit, too. The songs from the program will get stuck in your head and help you learn English!
Duolingo
What is it? Duolingo is an online and mobile application that you can use to learn English and other languages.
Cost: Free
Description: If you are learning English, you may have used Duolingo yourself already. With Duolingo, your kid can learn English in a game format. Duolingo includes mini games and opportunities to practice some (basic) speaking in English.
Why it’s good for kids: Kids will enjoy how learning on Duolingo is like playing a game. Different categories like animals, greetings and food are separated. This allows them to practice only phrases and words in those categories at first. Once they have mastered the easier categories, they can move into harder grammar categories that look at things like different tenses. They can practice for as long as they need to until they master their category.
British Council: Learn English Kids Apps
What is it? These are online and mobile applications available from the British Council.
Cost: Free
Description: British Council provides many English learning programs. Their kids’ programs provide activities and games to help children master different grammar concepts.
Why it’s good for kids: Your child will enjoy the worksheets and stories that help them practice parts of the English language like spelling, pronunciation and grammar. There are songs and stories to help improve their listening skills as well. Activities are divided into those best for early learners and primary learners.
Memrise
What is it? Memrise is a mobile and online flashcard application.
Cost: Free with a premium option for as little as $9 a month.
Description: Memrise uses a flashcard format that can help anyone learn English. The program is put together by Memrise users. The “courses” are created by other Memrise users. What makes Memrise unique is that each word or concept in the course has pictures and sayings to help you remember the word you are trying to learn. You can even create your own reminders to share with the entire Memrise community.
Why it’s good for kids: Like with Duolingo, kids will enjoy the game-like format of Memrise. They will have fun looking at the reminders created by other members and making up their own. There are thousands of Memrise courses to choose from. If your child does not like one, you can switch to another one.
The ELS Language Centers
What is it? The ELS Language Centers is another organization offering face-to-face language instruction.
Cost: Varies by program
Description: The ELS Language Centers provide a variety of English programs for children and adults. Since so many programs are available, it is easy to make sure your child learns the right English skills to suit their needs.
Why it’s good for kids: Kids can choose from many different programs that combine English learning with their interests. Older children can overcome insecurities by making friends who are learning English just like they are. The programs give children a summer camp experience, so they won’t even feel like they are learning.
They can spend time on the beach in Florida, receive sports training in San Domenico, California, or prepare for college in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. These are just a few of the options that will enhance their English learning experience.
Types of Resources to Consider for Teaching Your Child English
Now, before we look at some specific English learning programs, let’s take a look at a few types of options you may want to consider.
Tutoring or Classroom Learning
You can find English classes in traditional language schools, online or even in your child’s school. If you have recently moved to a country where English is the primary language, many schools provide special programs in English as a second language. Even if your child is already enrolled in an English as a second language program, you can still seek additional education through tutoring programs, language schools and English camps.
Online
Many programs are online to help not only children but those of all ages to learn English. Type “online English programs” in your search engine and millions of results will come up. It can be overwhelming. To get started, look for programs that specialize in teaching children. Not all online programs do. Then look for programs with a strong reputation and good teachers.
There may even be programs that can teach your kids English with their native language. One example is VIPKID for Chinese speakers.
Mobile Apps
Mobile applications (or apps) are the most versatile because you can take them anywhere. Many of these programs are free and allow your children to learn at their own pace and often by playing games. They will have fun while learning English at the same time.
Methods That Help Kids Learn a Language
To figure out what type of learning program is best for your child, let’s first consider the different methods that are best for teaching children a language.
Immersive
Language immersion gives your child a chance to hear English first-hand in a natural environment. They will hear others use English and they will pick it up by exposure (from being surrounded by it). Immersion is a great way for anyone to learn a language, because you are learning while completing everyday tasks. You also hear English the way it is spoken, rather than the way it may be written in textbooks, which can be awkward or unnatural.
Achieving an immersive environment can be done in any number of ways, but it basically comes down to the following: moving/visiting an English-speaking country or trying to replicate that kind of environment from home through digital content, the way the authentic-video-based language learning program FluentU does for adults.
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.
You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.
P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
Vocabulary-based
Many children already use vocabulary-based resources to pick up their native language. These programs provide the learner with pictures and the words that describe them. The methods they use are also immersive because many of these programs will include no dialogue in the child’s native language, forcing them to think in English.
Communicative
Communicative approaches are popular in language schools. Whether your child is learning face-to-face or online via Skype or a similar program, they will have a chance to build their abilities by actively communicating in English. Usually, they will work with a native English speaker who will correct them on the spot (right away), allowing them to learn quickly and build the confidence they need to use English in everyday life.
No matter what your child’s age or English level is, you can find an English program that will not only help them master English, but have fun!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
And One More Thing...
If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials, as you can see here:
If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.
The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.
FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.
For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:
FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.
Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.
FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.
The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.
Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
