ESL Blogs

With the widespread reach of modern technologies in the younger generation and the implementation of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) schemes in schools worldwide, it’s not surprising that many parents opt to homeschool their children. In the United States where there’s a huge number of homeschoolers, there are around 2.2 million home-educated students in early 2014, with about 2 to 8 percent growth yearly. As the trend continues to grow annually, we want to make sure that parents and home-based students are getting the most out of their homeschooling experience, especially when teaching them about languages. Thus, in this post, we will be providing you with the best tips you can apply in learning English next year. 
 
Implement an open communication policy 
The best way to get their attention and to focus to each lecture is by having an open and relax atmosphere during discussion sessions. It’s highly effective to implement an open communication policy to encourage them to speak and discuss their thoughts and ideas. Remember that learning is a two-way process. A study released in August 2014 showed that “students learn more if they’ll need to teach others.” Thus, in exchange for teaching them the lessons we’ve learned, we must also learn from them, especially in terms of how to turn each class interesting for them. This will help you in the long run, not only as teacher and student, but also as parent and child. In addition, this will enhance their English skills if you continue to implement this policy as they will be able to commute in the language confidently.  
 
Maximise and apply modern tech tools  
Homeschooling in the 21st century is easier executed with the help of modern tech tools such as tablets, learning applications, software, and educational websites. With the help of these tools, parents are able to provide the same learning atmosphere of a traditional school. Here are some of the best English apps you can maximise today: 

2a. Rosetta Stone – Available at the iOS and Android application store, the free English learning tool is one of the most popular learning language platforms today. It offers students with different exercises to assist them in learning the basics of forming words, phrases, and longer sentences. Currently, it was rated by more than 12,000 customers at the iTunes store with a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  

2b. Read Me Stories – Most children, especially toddlers, get to learn words or phrases through storytelling time. Thus, this application by 8Interactive Limited, will be a great platform as it contains a library of educational ebooks you can read to the student. Read Me Stories offer various books that are organized based on genre, characters, and storyline. It is free to install, but only available at the App Store.

2c. SpeakingPal – Open for iOS and Android users, SpeakingPal is highly recommended to enhance the students’ pronunciation and enunciation. It records, compare, understand, and rate the users’ speech to a native English speaker to test their speaking skills. They will receive an immediate response on how well they pronounced each word.  

 
Apart from applications, there are also websites that offer videos and reading materials for those who wants to expand their language learning. In the United Kingdom, O2 in partnership with their Think Big organization offered the O2 Learn site where homeschoolers, teachers, and students will be able to browse various video learning materials related to Art, Biology, Design and Technology, Drama, English and English Literature and more. This is similar to the one provided by most websites offering online courses in high school and college such as Khan Academy. 
 
Equally practice SWRL daily 
Although you have other subjects to cover and discuss in a day, it’s best that you exercise SWRL (speaking, writing, reading, and listening) across your short English class on a daily basis. Covering all of these areas will support their language development. As an educator, make sure to apply strategies that match your student/s proficiency level. Not all strategies you will pick up online will be applicable to them, thus understand the phase, level, and speed of the learner. Be patient, especially when handling young learners all the time. 
 
Overall, homeschooling children should be an exciting phase of a parent’s life, as you are given more time to spend with your little ones and enhance their knowledge while developing your relationship with them. There are various ways you can include in your homeschooling classes such as game-based techniques to get their attention more, but the tips provided above will also turn your English discussion more interesting to young learners.