How Kids Really Learn English (And Why It’s Not Like Adults)

Children learn languages like English because they’re born with billions of brain cells, millions of which control language. Early on in a child’s life, these brain cells—or neurons—connect with other cells and create pathways. 

So when a baby hears English, for example, the language connections in their brain grow stronger. These connections continue to strengthen as the child hears the language over time and makes their own sounds in a process known as language acquisition. 

Adults, by contrast, don’t learn English or another language simply through hearing or being exposed to it regularly. 

Instead, they learn language through conscious, formal study of language grammar rules, vocabulary, and sentence formulation—otherwise known as language learning. This makes learning a language more difficult for them than it is for children.

In fact, according to the critical period hypothesis (CPH) theory, individuals can only achieve native-like fluency in a language if they learn it in the time window between birth and puberty. In other words, teenagers and adults won’t be as proficient in a language or be able to speak it with a native accent like a child would be capable of doing.  

Children learn new languages more easily than adults because their brains are actively forming language connections during childhood. As we mentioned before, a child’s repeated exposure to and experience with the language also strengthens those connections.

However, by age 10 to 12, these connections are firmly established. Learning a new language thus becomes harder in adolescence and adulthood because a person’s brain is wired for the language they learned first.   

At the same time, a research study published in the Current Biology academic journal reveals that children learn faster than adults. That’s because kids experience a boost in GABA—the neurotransmitter that helps them process new information and prepare to learn and store more—following learning sessions.

This helps children lock in information in mere minutes, allowing them to learn more things. In contrast, adults can take at least an hour to solidify information, increasing their risk of forgetting what they just learned—a process called retrograde interference.

Now that we’ve dispelled the idea that learning a language is hard for kids, let’s discuss seven ways you can build your child’s English skills. 

1) Create an English-Rich Environment 

Creating an English-friendly environment for your child is a part of immersive language learning, which a research study published in the Research Studies in English Language Teaching and Learning academic journal says supports faster language acquisition. 

Here are some ways to go about it: 

• Label books, tables, and other objects around the house in English using sticky notes
• Play songs in English 
• Turn on English cartoons like Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol 
• Use simple English during daily routines with your child, like getting dressed
• Set your child’s favorite apps or games to English 

2) Read To Your Child Every Day  

Reading to your child for just 15 minutes a day can go a long way as far as their language development.  

Start by picking a picture book you think your child will enjoy. Slowly read each page aloud in English and explain in your child’s native language, if necessary. 

Point to pictures to build understanding, and ask your child questions to make reading more engaging and interactive. 

For example, you could point to a dog in a book and ask your child, “What is that?” Encourage them to respond in English. 

3) Engage in Play-Based Learning

If you make English learning fun for your child, they’ll look forward to lessons and retain more information.

A play-based learning approach includes incorporating word-picture matching games, in which your child matches a word like “apple” to its corresponding image. 

You can also encourage movement to make learning memorable. For example, play “Simon Says” with your child to get them moving and strengthen their knowledge of English words for body parts. 

You might say, “Simon says touch your head,” and watch as your child does just that. 

4) Incorporate Media and Technology 

Incorporating educational videos, music, images, animations, and other media into learning sessions improves your child’s knowledge comprehension and retention. 

The Novakid YouTube channel is a great resource for animated storytelling videos and educational videos on different English words. 

You can also use language learning apps to help your kid build their English writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills. The Novakid English School app takes English lessons to the next level by providing live, personalized lessons tailored to your child’s age and skill level.

5) Help Your Child Speak English  

Let your kid practice speaking entirely in English, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help them apply the knowledge they’ve gained at school and during your practice sessions.

For example, practice basic expressions and greetings by asking them “What’s your name?” and “How are you?” 

Or, practice colors and numbers by asking “What color am I wearing?” while pointing to your shirt and “How many fingers?” while holding up a certain number of fingers. 

Praise your child when they’re right and gently correct them when they make a mistake. The goal is to make steady progress rather than stressing perfection. 

6) Help Out With Homework 

Homework is key to your child’s academic success and language development. In fact, 61.7% of respondents to our survey of 133 online Novakid English teachers said that children can’t fully learn English without doing homework. 

To make sure your child actually completes their homework, create a routine. Set a regular time for you and your child to go over their work—ideally, before dinner and before they reach for their tablet! 

Remember: you shouldn’t complete the work for them. Instead, check their understanding and pronunciation of vocabulary words, monitor their reading, and clarify if they have questions. 

7) Try a Language Experience Activity

A language experience activity uses your child’s personal experience and knowledge to improve their reading and writing skills. 

One example is asking your child to identify different objects around the house and explain how they use them in English, using the sentence stem “This is a ____. I use it to ___.” 

So, if you point to a chair, you’d let them say single words at first (chair, sit), then help them say the whole sentence (“This is a chair. I use it to sit.”)  

After that, you’d help your child write out the full sentence on a piece of paper, read it aloud with them, and save it for future reading practice.  

Although there are several other ways to support your child’s English learning, successful language development ultimately comes down to consistency. Establish a routine to make sure your child regularly practices their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. 

Although children learn English and other languages faster than adults, that doesn’t mean you should take a passive approach to your child’s learning. After all, you can’t depend solely on the teachers at your child’s school since they have countless other students to support. 

By following our strategies, though, you can help your kid actively learn the English skills they need to speak confidently and fluently. And if you’re looking for one-on-one teaching support that your kid’s school can’t always provide, look no further than Novakid’s certified instructors. Just book a trial lesson today to see how our teachers can help your child master English.