English courses for children aged 8-9
Keeping attention is the key to success
Children aged 8–9 learn best when language is connected to meaning. That’s why our English programme uses story-based learning, combining grammar, vocabulary and communication to stimulate curiosity.
Why 8-9 is a great age to start English
Strong visual and auditory memory development
Ready for phonics and beginning reading
Natural creativity supports conversation practice
Foundation for academic English success
Young children who learn multiple languages experience many advantages. These include enhanced problem-solving skills, improved memory, and greater cognitive flexibility.
How we teach children aged 8-9
Story-based reading
Lessons are built around engaging stories that spark imagination and curiosity. Children learn new vocabulary and grammar naturally as they follow characters and explore adventures within the story.
Gamification
Lessons use game-like elements such as points, badges and challenges to keep children motivated and engaged. Gamification turns learning into play, helping students stay focused and enjoy their English progress.
Friendly teachers
Lessons take place in a secure, colourful virtual classroom with a native-speaking teacher who guides children with attention and patience, ensuring every child feels comfortable and engaged.
Communicative approach
Every lesson includes authentic communication tasks — describing pictures, solving problems together, discussing preferences, explaining how to do things.
For 8-9-year-olds, we include games and tasks that ask them to switch between topics and languages, as this leverages the extra brain-power that comes from early bilingual exposure.
Your child’s results after completing the course
At the end of the course, each child can hold simple conversations, read sentences fluently and confidently approach A1 level proficiency
Recognizes and uses 390+ English words
Tells stories about past events using past tense
Reads and understands texts with 10-15 sentences
Lesson structure
Novakid lessons are designed to interest and motivate kids aged 8-9
~5 minutes
Playful warm-up
Fun activities to energize and prepare for learning
25 minutes
A 1-on-1 lesson with teacher
One-on-one interactive session with your certified native teacher, including phonics practice, reading activities, vocabulary building and conversation
~10 minutes
Fun homework
Engaging reading challenges, spelling games and interactive exercises children love
Course structure
You'll notice your child's progress just a few weeks after starting the course
Course duration
49 lessons (25 minutes each)Recommended frequency
3 lessons/week (~4 months)Course level
Novakid: Level 2 CEFR: A1
After 1 month
Children start forming complete sentences and reading simple stories
After 2-3 months
Children can describe daily routines and past events confidently
Certificate of completion
After the course, your child receives a certificate showing their Novakid level and the corresponding CEFR level achieved.
What's included in our course for children aged 8-9
Certified teachers with experience in elementary education (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA certified)
Unlimited exercises and games AI tutor for 24/7 speaking practice
International group practice
1 month free!
Engaging virtual classroom with colourful visuals, interactive materials and age-appropriate tools
CEFR-aligned curriculum (Level 1)
Parent access to progress tracking, lesson materials and detailed teacher feedback
Start with a free trial lesson
We assess your child's learning needs and provide you with a personalized report showing the recommended starting point and learning path
Book a free lesson
Questions and answers
My child has been learning English at school for 2 years. Which level should they start at?
Most children aged 8-9 with some English exposure start at Level 1 or 2. Our trial lesson assesses their actual speaking and reading abilities to determine the right starting point.
How is this different from the programme for children aged 6-7?
Our Pre-A1 course introduces English through listening, speaking and visual learning. Children learn basic words, short phrases and simple sentence patterns while developing confidence with sounds and familiar topics. In our A1 course, learners begin to use English more independently – reading short texts, forming sentences, asking and answering questions, and communicating about familiar situations with growing fluency.
My child is shy about speaking English. Will this help?
Absolutely! The 1-on-1 format means no peer pressure. Teachers build confidence gradually. Plus, they can enjoy group practice in small, supportive international groups where everyone learns together.
How quickly will I see results?
Most parents notice their child telling stories and having conversations within the first month. Consistent practice (3 lessons weekly) yields the best results for this age.
Do parents need to sit nearby during the lessons?
Children aged 8–9 usually join lessons independently and communicate directly with the teacher, which helps build confidence and speaking skills. At the beginning, a parent may want to stay nearby to help with the setup, but this is rarely needed after the first few lessons. You can always follow your child's progress, homework and teacher feedback in the parent dashboard.