Activities for ESL Parent Involvement

Source : Ray Ray Montoya , ehow.com

More than a few students have found frustration in their attempts to learn English. This lack of confidence could result in difficulties when applying for jobs, trying to interact with strangers, or in many other types of situations. Often, teachers only have a few hours of the day to teach English to students who speak different languages at home; however, if you as a parent are interested in improving your child's understanding of English, there are some relatively simple things you can do to help your student.

Try English at Home

In some cases, English as a Second Language (ESL) students have no opportunities to speak English anywhere outside of school. Their friends, relatives, and others in the community may all speak their first language. As a parent, try setting aside a few hours a day where your child is only allowed to speak English. If your children have learned new vocabulary words or grammar in school recently, have them try to explain to you what they have learned- in English. You might also use this time to have your child read something to you in English, regardless of your own level of understanding. Remember, mastery of English will take many years, so don't expect immediate improvement.

Use English-Language Media

Many ESL teachers will tell you that viewing television programs where English is spoken is beneficial. In particularly, nightly news broadcasts, cartoons and sporting events may appeal to younger students. Movies where English is spoken are also valuable resources. There are plenty of opportunities for English language immersion to be found outside of visual media as well. Music with English lyrics, radio stations with host and on-air personalities provide sources of spoken English. Students may end up recognizing words they have learned in English, improving both their vocabulary and pronunciation in the process. There are many ESL games online that will challenge your child's knowledge of English, but while such games may be more mentally stimulating than other computer games and a good way of testing knowledge, they are not always the best ways to learn English. As a parent, you have at least some control over what your student watches or listens to; watching or listening to English-language media as a family will likely prove beneficial to the ESL student.

Community Interaction

Improving your own language skills will almost certainly be a benefit to your child as they learn English. Many churches, refugee organizations and other community groups offer basic English courses free of charge. If you as a parent improve your English, then your child will almost certainly follow suit. Additionally, stay informed regarding your child's academic progress by attending parent-teacher conferences and getting to know your student's teachers. Many school districts will provide interpreters or translators as needed, so if you need a translator to interact with you child's teacher, let the school know ahead of time.