Tips to teach English to children (who are less than 3 years old)

Hi, Guys!!!!, 

Nowadays, we are deeply concerned about the importance of learning English, but there are always some questions: "When should children start learning English?, How?, What would be the best methodology?, Who should teach them English? Native speakers or English speakers? and then, what about the experts' oponions?".

Well, as far as I am concerned, I prefer learning and approaching English in a very natural enjoyable way. In other words, we can stimulate some parts of the brain that control language, that's all for now! since they are very young. We'd better arouse their children's curiosity and desire of knowledge. Because of that, I'd like to give some easy tips to make them start learning English. 

1. ENGLISH SONGS: I recommend you to buy or download from iTunes these funny albums: Bilingual Songs or Kids Songs, and then, what do we have to do? Sing them aloud with our children! Sooner or later, you would be surprised by your kids singing them alone!!! ;)

2. FLASHCARDS: there are plenty of webs where you can download and print flashcards, they are really functional for children!! Not only you can teach them English with these flashcards, but also your mother tongue, they will learn many new words (animals, sports, colours, numbers, ... and so on).

3. READING AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE: Everyday before going to bed, you can read them bilingual or English fairy tales, don't worry too much about your pronunciation, try to do it as best as you can! Your children only want to get relaxed and see the pictures of the book. Little by little, they will discover new words.

4. PUZZLES: there are many puzzles whose pieces can be used as flashcards. Even more, you can say that new word in both languages: English and your mother tongue.

5. TV PROGRAMMES: Fortunately, we can easily find many TV programmes which can help our children learn English. So, watching TV can be a really functional way of learning English! And it's also very simple, just change the language of your TV. So, don't waste time and make them watch their favourite episodes in your target language.

6. ROUTINES:

Every morning, when you wake up your children, you can sing an English song, such as: "Good morning, my friend, it's time to wake up!!!".  Besides, you can say some common routine instructions in English, for example: "Come on! Hurry up!"; "it's time to go to bed"; "it's time to brush your teeth"; or teaching them to say: "thank you", "hello, hi!", "bye, bye", "see you later, alligator".

7. Avoid asking them questions as if they were being examined, for example: "How do you say that in English? Come one!" If we do that, children may not dare to speak any English word. So, we can't forget our main goal: learning Enlgish is always fun!!!! It needs to be a natural learning!

I hope you'll find this post interesting!!!

Fairy Tales for Children

Hi, boys and girls!!!, 

As far as I am concerned, one of the best ways of learning a new language is watching videos, since it's a very easy fun way to get in touch with the new language. 

Because of that, I encourage you to watch the following videos with your little students or children. They already know all these fairy tales, so it can't be difficult to follow the story, as well, if they are older primary students, they can also read the subtitles in English. 

ONCE UPON A TIME, ... 

 Learning English is always fun!!!

LeaRNinG EnGLisH with FaiRY TaLeS

HI, GUYS!, 

As you well know, one of the funniest way of learning English is reading a tale, and it's far better when you already know the plot, the characters, it's easier for you to follow it ... but this time, let's read the story in English. So, you can improve your vocabulary and find out that "Cenicienta" is called Cinderella in English, "Blancanieves" is Snow White, and so on.

Now, let me post some tales from learnenglishkids.britishcouncil

(Undoubtedly, it's a great web, you'll find fantastic games ,songs for Kids, and special sites for parents and teachers. Don't waste time and click on there!!!)

Last but not least, do you dare to read these English tales as BEDTIME STORIES to your children? It could be a great chance to practise your English and let your children learn too. What do you think?

Once upon a time ... ;-)

ComParaTiVeS and SuPerLatiVeS

Hi, Guys!, 

What is the best football team in your country? What is the funniest TV show? Is that book  more interesting than this one? Is Rihanna better than Beyoncé? ...

You could guess what I'm focusing on ... Yeah! ComParaTiVeS and SuPerLatiVeS in English! 

If you need to practise or revise how to make Comparatives and Superlatives, you can click on the following links: 

* Theory (Comparatives and Superlatives, charts) 

* enchantedlearning.com (charts)

* comparatives_and_superlatives.pdf

* autoenglish.org (exerc + key answers)

* ies1libertas.edu.

FLASHCARDS, a great tool to learn Vocabulary

Hi, Guys!, 

Needless to say, learning Vocabulary is essential!!! and obviously, FLASHCARDS is one of the best tool to teach and learn new English words, especially for kids. So, let's see this fantastic web SUPER SIMPLE LEARNING, here you can download fantastic flashcards totally free! (Besides, you can find SONGS, FREE RESOURCES on this web, don't waste time and click).

If you work with children, you can teach new words thanks to these flashcards, you can make up a story with these new words, you can even bring or point out the real objects, etc. You'd better use your teaching skills to get your students involved. For example, if you want your students to learn some vocabulary related to fruit and vegetables, you can bring them some real fuit and vegetables, they'll touch them, they'll feel more motivated, ... This is always more interesting and encouraging for them.

Teaching and Learning is always FUN!!!

EUROPSCHOOL.NET

Hi, there!, 

I love all the European language projects, they are so enriching for everybody, students, parents and teachers! So, I'd like to share with all of you this fantastic web: EUROPSCHOOL, here you can find a visual dictionary plus the pronunciation of every word, and also, in different languages!!! It's really worthwhile, isn't it? 

 

Besides, if you click on 300 PHRASES EUROPSCHOOL, you can learn and practise many different useful phrases, and also, you can listen and repeat their pronunciation.

If you have a little brother or sister and you want him / her to learn English, you can play together these games: GAMES - EUROPSCHOOL

Come on!!! Don't waste time and 

let's learn English while you have fun!!!! ;)

Halloween Vocabulary

Hi, there!,

Let's start watching this fantastic video, we're going to learn and get familiar with HALLOWEEN VOCABULARY 



Now, why don't you watch these videos with your students? These are really interesting! And your pupils can practise and improve their listening and reading!

Happy Halloween!

EngLiSH SoNgS foR ChiLDreN

Hi, there!,

Some days ago, my cousin asked me If I knew some English songs for Children, because she had a lovely daughter Ann (4), who loved singing, she already knew some since she is at school, but she wanted to know if there were some free songs ready to be downloaded. So, after surfing for a while, I found this web:

http://www.bebesymas.com/infancia/6-videos-y-letras-de-canciones-en-ingles-para-ninos

Although the web is Spanish, all the songs and lyrics are in English. Now, you can watch the videos, read lyrics and if you're a teacher, you can use these resources in class.

Now, my little cousin is pleased and she doesn't stop singing and learning English! ;)

PICTIONARY - a popular game to practise your English

Hi, Guys!,


Have you ever played PICTIONARY? It's really fun if you play with your friends, but if you play it making up your own cards with English words, it can be challenging!!! Do you agree with me?

Pictionary Cards 

Once again, you'll need some pieces of cardboard, you can select different colours according to different semantic fields. Now, let me give you an useful link full of basic vocabulary:http://www.languageguide.org/english/ . Take a look and start writing your own Pictionary cards!

Everybody can create their own cards and play together, they are going to learn, amplify English vocabulary, ... but above all, they'll have fun!!! ;)

1, 2, 3, ... GO!!! Just pick up one card and draw the word given, your friends or classmates have to guess this!

TaBoo - a popular game to learn and practise your English

Hi, there!,

Taboo Cards

I think you all know how to play TABOO, it's really amusing when you play with all your friends and family. Why don't you play it at school?

1. As always, you'll need to pick up some pieces of cardboard and cut them into pieces. Then, the teacher can select some common words to help students to speak up and participate. The students and teacher will write down one word in every card. Other day, he / she could bring other difficult words to define.

2. One student picks up one card and has to define the word given without saying it. The first one who guesses the word gets some points. Now it's his / her turn.

3. If your students are older (secondary or uppersecondary level), you, as a teacher, can write one large font word included in a circle and other words crossed out. Now, the student has to define the word given without saying all the words appeared on the card. (see the example in the photo).

4. I hope you'll enjoy this game,

LEARNING ENGLISH IS ALWAYS FUN ;)

Digital Resources In Education

Hi, There! ;)

As well as other blog-teachers, I believe that technology innovation can make education creative and engaging for our students, it's actually an essential tool for most teachers and pupils.

Because of that, I'd like to show you this webpage: http://conteni2.eudcarex.es

It's full of digital resources which can be used on digital whiteboards by teachers, many students and parents on holidays, etc.

The children are going to learn more English and have fun at the same time. You can find many videos, games, songs, ... for pre-primary, primary, secondary and special educational needs students.

Enjoy summer while you're learning English!!!

Describing Physical Appearance - SpEaKinG

Hi, there!,

Would you like to improve your speaking? why don't you learn or review how to describe Physical Appearance? It's a very entertaining game that you can play with your students or friends to practise your English!

Just take a look the following pages, these are fantastic!!! Then, choose one of your mates and describe him/her for the other people. The others have to guess who you are describing listening to your descripytion. You can also include clothes description. Come on, let's play now!!!

Learn and play ;)

Material Obligatorio Appearances Vocabulary

Learn and Test Your VoCaBuLaRy

Hi, Guys!,

If you want ot amplify your vocabulary and test this, please, don't waste time and click here:

http://www.xtec.es/~psanz/tick/exang/index.htm

It's really functional for all levels, you can review specific semantic fields (such as Cooking, Computer, Holidays, and so on) as well as Prepositions or Linking Words!

I strongly recommend you, I love this practical web!!! Would you like to try?

Test your English knowledge playing!

Hi, Guys!,

Would you like to test your English knowledge? I've just found an amusing way! If you click on the following links, you can check your English as well as play a game online.

For example, can you remember when you have to use MAKE or DO? and what about your vocabulary? You can enjoy and learn a lot! Ready, Steady, Gooooo!!!!!

* http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm
* http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/makeordo.htm
* http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/vocabblock.htm
* http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/vocabexpertp1.htm

The Story of Santa Claus

Hi, there!,

Christmas is coming very soon! In these days, we can tell our students The Story of Santa Claus, we can read them his story or we can show them these fun videos to practise their listening and comprehension. Now, would you like to watch these? I hope you'll enjoy them! ;)

ChRiStMaS CrAfTs

Hi, Teachers!,

Are you too busy these days? I suppose so ...Well, I'm going to recommend you to do some Christmas Crafts in class. They are very entertaining and your students can follow your instructions in English.



Thanks to this page http://video.kaboose.com/crafts.html, you can do Jingle Bells bracelets, Mini Wreaths, Dangling Snowman, ... for example.

PSP Play English - SONY & VAUGHAN Systems

Hi, Guys!,

As you well know, I'm fan of VAUGHAN radio and his English system. And once again, I recommend you to follow Richard Vaughan on TV, radio, internet, ... he's a great teacher. So, I'd like to share with you this PSP PLAY ENGLISH game created by Sony and Vaughan Systems.

If you want to improve your English having fun, you can do so with this fantastic game. You'll become the Spanish detective Jaime Rubio, who is actually very intelligent, but he's not good at English. There is an important robbery in the National Gallery in London, he'll need to sort out different problems using his basic English, can you help him? You'll find different characters with several English accents, it's quite entertaining, although we can't forget the goal of the game is learning English! Price 24'99 euros.

Decorating Your ClassRooM (post 3)

Hi, teachers and guys!,

Last Spetember, I wrote about how we could decorate our English classrooms, since I believe it is interesting for students, they can feel more involved, learn and improve their vocabulary and make up funny posters for their classroom, use their imagination and creativity, and so on.

Well, today, I'd like to share with you another project:

1. Ask your students to make groups of 4 or 5 people.

2. Every group has to make a poster with all the information they can find about:

Significant Biritish / American Celebrities, Musicians, Painters, Sportmen, or Cities.

3. They can surf on the internet to find out some information.

4. Everything must be written down in English.

5. These posters can be full of photos.

6. The teacher has to chooose the most important topics (mentioned before) for every group. For example: students from group A (1st year of Secondary) will look into relevant British / American cities whereas students from group B (2nd year of Secondary) will find out information about Musicians. So, there will be a lot of interesting posters to decorate the English Classrooms or corridors.

7. Above all, your students will learn a lot!
If you are more interested, click on Decorating Your Classroom

Learning English can be Fun! I hope you'll like this easy teaching recipe!!! ;-)

Let's celebrate HALLOWEEN at schools!

Hi, there!,

I've just visited the HALLOWEEN CORNER http://oupepromos.es/halloween/ from Oxford Univ. press, so I recommend you to have a look at the following link, it's fantastic if you are thinking about how to celebrate this festival in your English class.

There are great resources and amusing terrying activities divided into different levels. It's awesome!!! (Now, can you catch the spider?)

English Songs

Hi, there!,

I think one of the best ways to learn English is SINGING! specially when you are a child! Do you agree with me?
If you are a Primary teacher or have children, you should take a look the following web page: http://www.supersimplesongs.com/

This web is fantastic and truly amusing for children!!! You can find interesting material for Halloween! Have a look at this!