{"id":59732,"date":"2023-03-02T13:04:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T13:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helendoron.com\/english\/?p=59732"},"modified":"2023-03-02T13:10:46","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T13:10:46","slug":"how-to-motivate-your-child-to-learn-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helendoron.com\/spanish\/how-to-motivate-your-child-to-learn-english\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Motivate Your Child to Learn English: Positive Reinforcement Strategies for Second Language Acquisition"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Read Time: 5 Minutes<\/em><\/p>

As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s learning journey. Keeping your child motivated, and helping them develop an optimistic outlook on their efforts, can help them learn English as a second language.<\/p>

In our 37 years of experience teaching English to children, we have learned that children absorb knowledge best when they feel good about themselves. Empowering your child, giving them opportunities to take the lead and build confidence<\/strong><\/a> as English speakers, increases motivation and promotes a positive attitude towards English learning.<\/p>

Pedagogic and phycology experts call this inspirational encouragement \u201cPositive Reinforcement\u201d. In this blog, we will explore the concept and offer you, as a parent, helpful tips on how to support your child throughout his or hers English-learning journey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is Positive Reinforcement?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Imagine you are walking around your home, happily singing to yourself. A guest overhears you and says: \u201cOh, dear, you are really off-key. Can\u2019t you do any better?\u201d You would surely lose confidence in your ability to sing. You may even be mortified enough that you would never want to sing out loud again! Now, imagine if that same person had said: \u201cYou have a lovely voice! You sound great!\u201d Now how would you feel? Indeed, you would be happy and confident about your singing and feel encouraged to express yourself this way. In fact, if the next person said you didn\u2019t sing well, you would be less inclined to believe them as you already had built up a certain confidence in this area.<\/p>

This is what happens to young children learning. They need positive feedback<\/a><\/strong> to let them know they are doing well; it makes them feel successful. This motivates them to continue. It also gives them an emotional basis for learning. Creating a non-threatening, comfortable and pleasant environment is essential for keeping the child motivated and successful. Positive reinforcement gives the child the security to try more, participate more and, ultimately, learn more. Consistency is key when using positive reinforcement. Make your child feel successful. This will keep them motivated, and increase their chances of success.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Benefits of Positive Reinforcement in Language Learning<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Positive reinforcement encourages your child’s efforts to speak English. When your child tries to speak in English, praise him or her and reward them for their effort. This will motivate your child to continue speaking and practising English. You can do this verbally, like cheering her or him on with a “Wow! Well done!” or non-verbally, like giving them a high-five, a hug, or simply a big proud smile.<\/p>

Positive reinforcement also helps build your child’s confidence in speaking English. When you praise and encourage your child, they feel empowered. Imagine how proud your child would be if you showcased their ability to family and friends, shining a spotlight on your child\u2019s English by encouraging them to greet grandmother in English or speak to the flight attendant on your next family vacation and request orange juice for their younger sibling!<\/p>

Promoting a positive attitude towards learning English will teach your child to associate it with positive feelings and rewards. They will crave praise and attention and try to learn more and demonstrate their skills before anyone listening. Your job as a parent is to smile proudly and encourage them. Give your child every opportunity you can to take the lead. Make them the household\u2019s \u201cDesignated English Speaker\u201d and watch them soar.<\/p>

Here are some helpful tips on how to do that:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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8 Tips for Using Positive Reinforcement to Help Your Child Learn English as a Foreign Language<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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  1. Praise Any Effort to Speak in English<\/strong>: One of the most effective ways to use positive reinforcement is to praise your child\u2019s attempt to speak in English. Even if their English is not perfect, praise them for their effort and encourage them to keep practising.

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  2. Be Spontaneous, Specific, and Sincere:<\/strong> Instead of gushing out generic words of encouragement, praise your child using descriptive and specific language.\u00a0The less general the encouragement, the more likely it would suit the situation at hand; hence it will be perceived as sincere. Instead of just saying, \u201cWow! What an awesome story you wrote!\u201d You can add: \u201cI especially love how you used all these different words to describe your main character. I can really picture her in my mind!\u201d

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  3. Don’t Focus on Mistakes<\/strong>: When your child makes a mistake while speaking English, don’t point it out. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of what they said and praise them for their effort.

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  4. Correct Them Indirectly<\/strong>: When your child makes a mistake, correct them indirectly by repeating what they said in question form. For example, if your child says, “I want to go to the libary<\/strong>,” you can respond with, “That\u2019s a good idea. Let\u2019s go to the library<\/strong><\/em>.”

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  5. Reward Them for Their Effort<\/strong>: When your child speaks in English, reward them with praise and a physical reward, such as a high-five or a hug. If they complete their first English course, take them out to the park and have fun.

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  6. Create Everyday Opportunities for Your Child to Use English<\/strong>:
    Use any chance you have to let your child take the lead and use their English to help out: