english for non-speaker

christa
By christa

It'a about my son, aged 5. He just speaks Dutch. The level of understanding/speaking english is close to ....0.

What should be my approach . Private lesons, or is it any fast track programme that can be followed with any schools/institutions?

He is on several waiting lists for schools, but probably he will not start sooner than Sept.

I would like to use the time inbetween.

 

 

By Noemy• 3 May 2008 17:03
Noemy

 Children are so smart , when my kids were this age I used to talk to them just in english , and if they wanted talk to me ,  they had to do it in english . Try it , in my opinion the best way is create an english enviroment , for example : daily tasks ( bath , have lunch , have dinner , watch TV , sleep , walking ) Begin speaking the name of the objects in english ( chair , table , shoes , toys ) Don't speak another language with your child for while , just english ...he will learn soon , and the best part : he will not forget his mother language , there are many searches about that on internet .

It works in all languages ! Good lucky !  God bless !

By christa• 15 Apr 2008 14:59
christa

Of coures I called Cedars, I call them every week.... thay said they do not offer tutoring anymore!!

My son is on a waiting list (!!)  for year 1. 

I couldn't get out more..... such as (private)english lessons during summer to prepare for September

I keep being told that end of May I will me called back (will I ?) .

By the_hippo• 13 Apr 2008 09:56
the_hippo

Here is a little quotation from "My Fair Lady":

 

"There even are places where English completely disappears -

In America, they haven't used it for years!"

 

Seriously, folks, I think that there have been some excellent suggestions made by other contributors. When a language really becomes a useful tool, then children are much more motivated to learn it. This is why introducing your child to English-speaking children is so vital.

 

The educational theorist Piaget argued that many children learn on what he termed the "concrete operational" level. To a child who never meets English-speaking children, learning English is too abstract and meaningless.  

By deedee• 10 Apr 2008 19:37
deedee

My friends 5 year old didn't speak a word of English.  She placed her at ASD (this was several years ago)   She picked it up so fast it was like a miracle.   Within 3 weeks she was quite conversant.

By Rhesus• 10 Apr 2008 18:22
Rhesus

Try Cedars who specialise in ESL students. Send an online application via their website  www.cedarstutoring.com

By BCA• 9 Apr 2008 22:02
BCA

hi,

 

have you tried ELS? English Language School. I think they do kiddie English classes???

By christa• 2 Apr 2008 23:08
christa

for your suggestions.

By Monica• 2 Apr 2008 16:15
Monica

Try with Berlitz

By anonymous• 2 Apr 2008 16:13
anonymous

My daughter was so bored in the school and i was fed up begging her to tell me what she took in the class or to hear from her few English  words.Suddenly  she come and she start to ask me how she will ask this or that or..... I was surprise ! What's happened ? The New Girl From America Come to the class and she wont to talk with her so she was oblige to talk with her in English !!! They are perfect now . Both they learn from each other Arabic and English ! So don't worry . He will after few years even talk Arabic ! good luck 

By nadt• 2 Apr 2008 15:56
Rating: 4/5
nadt

In addition to the above suggestions, i would put him in a kg1 or 2with English speaking teachers, as between now and september is 6 months. He will be exposed to hearing the teacher speak English and learn some basics before formal school..good luck...

By anonymous• 2 Apr 2008 15:48
anonymous

from my experience I can tell you that most Arab kids , or Russian or what ever Nationality is kid in this age doesn't understand English but in English environment , daily routine class words and works he will understand and start to use English normally as rest of the children.Check your PM. 

By Aisha-Taweela• 2 Apr 2008 15:07
Aisha-Taweela

Get him to mix with other kids, put him in a kindergarten, judo lessons, arts lessons...anything where he will be with other kids. When I came here my daughter did not speak english. I put her into a kindergarten and within 3 weeks she started speaking english. You take care of the grammar etc. You will see kids are really good at picking up a new language. 

Aisha-Taweela

By Oryx• 2 Apr 2008 14:38
Oryx

Agreed about play CB.... but i don't know this child...for some children school itself is very daunting.

 

Why don't you just invite English speaking kids round to play!

I am sure some mothers would be please to have a break from the ankle biters.

By anonymous• 2 Apr 2008 14:24
anonymous

 

In contradiction to Oryx children learn very well with each other and if you are living in a Compound where the others children speak english they learn very quickly.

They don't worry about the grammer as they have a built in mechanism which enables them to communicate easily with kids of their own age.

Story books are good when he can understand a little - I have seen this with my friends kids they pick up words very easily and quickly.

By christa• 2 Apr 2008 14:19
christa

already busy with books, toys, tv /dvd in english for some months....

Only that he is not so committed to learn - I mean really sit and rean/learn- english with me. We do in ia a play mode, but  Ithink it's not enough.

Another 'qualified authority ' - from his p.o.w. would do more.

 

 

By thexonic• 2 Apr 2008 14:15
Rating: 2/5
thexonic

How about you teach him yourself. Buy some educational softwares from internet preferibly from Barns and nobles and teach him yourself. Your english seems to be good.  

 

--------------------

"Be Like a Flower, Which gives off it's fragrance

even to the hand that crushes it.

By Oryx• 2 Apr 2008 14:11
Oryx

Sorry dont' quite agree with Aunt Polly.

New school can be socially very daunting... coupled with lang issues... this can be tough.

Why don't you christa just go and buy lots of books and learning toys and sit and read and talk with your child?

Watch BBC childrens TV with him....

 

As soon as he has some basic words to give him confidence I am sure he then will do very well at school as Aunt Polly says.

By JaYTeR• 2 Apr 2008 14:07
Rating: 4/5
JaYTeR

private class would be a good idea... still lot of time for your son to learn before classes start.

Live and Die with DIGNITY!

 

-JaYTeR-

By Aunt Polly• 2 Apr 2008 14:03
Rating: 4/5
Aunt Polly

 i think put him in an English school and he will pick it up on his own.

Children at that age pick up languages very fast

Lots of luck,

 

 

 

Aunt Polly

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