My Child Hates English: Overcoming Learning Resistance

Many parents have heard the same sentence: “I hate English!”. It can be frustrating to hear, especially when you know English is an important life skill that you want for your child. However, resistance to learning English rarely means a child dislikes the language itself. More often, it means they feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or disconnected from the way they are being taught English. 

A study found in The Journal of Asia TEFL found that “motivation is one of the main determining factors in an individual’s success in developing a second or foreign language.”

The good news is that motivation can be rebuilt. By understanding why children resist learning and by using engaging, research-backed teaching strategies, parents can help transform English from a source of stress into something fun and enjoyable for their child. 

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Why Do Children Resist Learning English? 

There are many reasons a child may avoid English lessons. 

Some common causes include: 

• Fear of making mistakes, possibly because of parent or peer pressure. 
• Previous negative learning experiences. 
• English lessons that are too long, too boring, or too difficult. 
• Learning difficulties that make learning English more challenging. 
• A lack of confidence or insufficient support during their English learning journey. 
• Limited opportunities to use English in meaningful ways. 

Research also shows that children are more motivated to learn when they feel successful, supported, and involved in the learning process. According to the Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), these factors help build intrinsic motivation, making children more likely to enjoy learning and continue practising English over time. 

Find the Root Cause 

Instead of asking your child, “Why won’t you learn English?”, try asking, “What makes English difficult for you?”. This simple shift encourages conversation, rather than creating pressure. 

A child who struggles with reading will need different support from one who simply finds lessons boring or lacks motivation. Some children may not see the value of learning English, while others may feel anxious about making mistakes or have lost confidence in their abilities after finding previous lessons too difficult. 

If you suspect your child may have specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD, or language processing difficulties, remember that these challenges are usually present across multiple school subjects — not just English. Identifying any underlying barriers allows you to provide the right support and choose teaching strategies that match your child’s needs. 

Once you understand the root cause of your child’s resistance, you can address the real problem rather than simply trying to encourage them to “try harder”. This makes it much easier to rebuild confidence, motivation, and a positive attitude towards learning English. 

Keep Lessons Short

Young children learn best in short, focused bursts because their attention spans are naturally limited.

In a survey conducted by Novakid involving 133 English teachers, 80.3% agreed that lessons lasting 20 to 30 minutes are the ideal length for young learners, helping them stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed or bored.

Rather than asking your child to study English for an hour, try just 15-20 minutes of focused learning at home. Singing English songs, playing games, reading a short story, or practising new vocabulary can be far more effective than a long study session. Follow this with a short break or a change of activity to help maintain your child’s motivation and attention. 

The key is to keep learning fun, interactive, and pressure-free. When children enjoy the experience, they are much more likely to stay engaged and develop a positive attitude towards learning English. 

Make Learning Feel Like Play 

Play is often described as the “work” of a child because it is one of the most natural and effective ways for children to learn. Through play, children explore new ideas, solve problems, practise communication, and develop confidence. This is why the Novakid curriculum incorporates gamification — using game-like elements to keep children motivated, engaged, and excited about learning. To learn more about this method, click here.

At home, try to make English feel like play rather than another school subject. When learning is fun and interactive, children are more willing to participate and use the language without fear of making mistakes. 

Some simple ways to make learning playful include: 

• Role play (pretending to be shopkeepers, doctors, or even superheroes)
• Singing English songs and nursery rhymes (to explore more ways music supports learning, click here) 
• Reading short English books/stories together
• Playing vocabulary or memory games
• Playing simple board games or card games in English 

The goal isn’t to make learning easier — it is to make it more enjoyable, because children who enjoy learning are much more likely to stay motivated and continue practising. 

Immerse Your Child in English

Children don’t only learn during structured lessons, they learn through everyday exposure. One of the most effective ways to help your child learn English is through language immersion — making English a natural part of their daily routine, rather than something that only happens during study time. 

At home, you can try: 

• Listening to English songs/radio
• Reading bedtime stories in English
• Watching their favourite cartoons in English (to learn more about which cartoons to choose for your child, click here)
• Using simple English phrases during everyday routines, such as bath time, mealtimes, getting dressed, and tidying up. 
• Naming objects around the house and encouraging your child to use the English words in context.

The more naturally children hear and use English, the more familiar and less intimidating it becomes. Over time, these small, everyday interactions build vocabulary, improve listening skills, and increase confidence, often without children even realising they’re learning.

Celebrate Small Wins 

Children who feel successful want to keep learning. Instead of only praising correct answers, be sure to also praise: 

• Effort 
• Perseverance 
• Trying new words
• Speaking confidently 
• Asking and answering questions 

Praising effort encourages resilience and long-term motivation.

Use Technology Wisely

Technology can make English exciting. There are many excellent English resources, interactive educational games and learning apps. Parents can also use social media for learning, such as by following child-friendly English channels on YouTube or Instagram that teach vocabulary through songs, stories and short videos. 

The goal isn’t more screen time — it’s better quality screen time. For more tips on how to use screen time effectively, click here. 

Choose the Right Teacher (and Learning Platform)

Sometimes children don’t dislike the subject, they dislike how it has been taught.

Many of us can remember a teacher from our own childhood who made a subject come alive. Perhaps they sparked a love for history, made maths feel achievable, or inspired confidence in science. The same is true for English. The right teacher can completely change the way a child feels about learning. 

An experienced teacher knows how to adapt the lesson to the child’s personality, confidence level, interests, and learning style. They know when to slow the pace, when to provide extra encouragement, and when to challenge a learner to take the next step. 

This is especially important when tutoring children with learning disabilities, where lessons often require additional flexibility, repetition, patience, and personalised support. 

At Novakid, every teacher is trained to create engaging, child-centred lessons that build confidence through interactive activities, positive reinforcement, and meaningful communication. Combined with our immersive platform and game-based learning approach, children are encouraged to see English as something enjoyable rather than something to fear. 

Every Child Can Learn English

Every child learns differently. With patience, encouragement, engaging lessons, and the right teacher, even the most reluctant learner can begin to enjoy learning English. 

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. By helping children build confidence one small success at a time, English becomes something they look forward to rather than something they avoid. 

Learning a new language is a journey, and every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy that journey in a way that suits their unique personality and learning style. 

Ready to Help Your Child Enjoy English Again? 

If your child has been resisting English lessons, it may simply mean they haven’t found the right approach yet. 

At Novakid, our experienced teachers use games, storytelling, movement, and personalised teaching strategies to help children build confidence and develop a genuine love for learning English. 

Book a FREE trial lesson today and discover how fun, engaging, and motivating English learning can be. 

References: 

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

Tran, T. L. (2007). Demotivation: Understanding resistance to English language learning-The case of Vietnamese students. The Journal of Asia TEFL. 

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July 20, 2026