How Parents Can Support the Learning of English Language at Home

As a parent, you can aid your child’s progress in English by creating a home environment that constantly offers opportunities for learning. Here are some tips on how to create such an environment.

In primary school, your child will be taught how to listen to, speak, read and write English through a variety of activities and lessons. Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading, or STELLAR, is a programme for helping Singapore children improve their language and learning through highly interesting materials and activities. As a parent, you can aid your child’s progress in English by creating a home environment that constantly offers opportunities for learning. Here are some tips on how to create such an environment:

• Talk to your child and encourage his/her self-expression. Listen closely to what he/she has to say, respond to questions and ideas, and you will boost your child’s confidence in expressing himself/herself.
• Read with your child as often as you can, and encourage his/her questions. You can also lead him/her to think about the story by discussing the plot, characters or themes.
• Write with your child, as self-expression can often bloom in this way. 
• Play games that bring out the beauty and the fun aspects of language. These games may be simple, but they can help your child gain a life-long appreciation of language.