Many parents worry that because the family speaks Tamil at home, their child will not speak English well. The good news is that children can learn two languages very well, and a strong home language actually helps.
Keep speaking Tamil
Children who are confident in their first language find it easier to learn a second one. Keep talking, singing and telling stories in Tamil at home.
Add English in small, everyday ways
- Name things around the house in English: ‘Shall we put on your shoes?’
- Sing simple English rhymes together.
- Watch a short English cartoon with your child and talk about it.
- Ask simple questions in English: ‘What colour is the ball?’
Do not correct every mistake
If your child says ‘I goed to school’, simply repeat it correctly: ‘Oh, you went to school! What did you do?’ This keeps your child talking and teaches the right words without making them feel wrong.
Praise the effort
Confidence comes before correctness. Praise your child every time they try to speak, even if it is only a few words.
At Happy Buds, every child speaks in front of their friends a little every day, through show-and-tell, class talks and stories. Learn more about our curriculum.
