Best strategies to help your child master English language skills

In India, English is the most common medium of communication in the professional and educational spheres. It is a common medium of instruction in schools and English language fluency is often seen as a measurement of competence in the professional world. But the problem is, it is always difficult to efficiently pick up a foreign language. It takes a bit of an effort. Here’s how you can help your children gain fluency in English. 

Inculcate the habit of reading 
The best way to develop a thorough understanding of grammar and syntax is to read a lot of books. Not only does it help in building vocabulary, but also exposes children to different styles of writing. It teaches them how grammar rules can be bent and wielded to form meaningful sentences. Encourage your children to read books on topics of their choice. Also, inculcate the habit of going through newspapers and digital bulletins. Read to them, read with them and make them read out loud. 

Talk to your kids in English 
It is a commonly known fact that when people aren’t engaged in using a language regularly, they tend to start forgetting it. Mastering a language requires constant practice to build up the syntax and vocabulary, remember it, and apply it in a spoken conversation. Talk to your children in English for at least an hour a day so they grow comfortable with their spoken fluency and get used to the inflections and contexts. 

Ensure an immersive experience 
The best way to build fluency in a language is to move to a place where everybody only communicates in the language in question. Since that isn’t quite a feasible option, media and technology can help serve as a worthy proxy. Encourage your children to watch movies and TV Shows in English, listen to English music, etc., from time to time. The more exposure they get to how native English speakers use their language in day-to-day communications, the more likely they are to develop a better understanding of commonly used coinages. 

Encourage kids to maintain a vocabulary book 
Motivate your children to keep track of the new words, phrases, idioms they come across as well as their usage.  It’s a good idea to note them down on the computer or on a notebook. Your kids can go over these notes and familiarize themselves with their usage from time to time. Noting things down also makes it easier to remember them.