Promoting Language Learning at Home:
1). Begin reading to your child at an early
age, and as often as possible, in your native language, as well as in English. If
a child is literate in their native language, they will then be able to more
easily transfer that information into the English language.
2). Visit your public library with your child.
Help your child choose appropriate books to read together.
3). Keep many types of reading materials
(books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in your native language and in English in
your home. Encourage older siblings to read to their younger siblings. This
helps develop reading and listening comprehension skills for both
children.
4). Ask your children questions about what they
have read, such as:
- What is happening in the story?
- What do you think will happen next?
- How do you think the character feels? Why?
- What was your favorite part of the story? Why?
Asking these type questions can help children
become more excited about reading, as well as more responsible for their own
learning.
5). Take your children to places in the
community that offer educational activities and learning experiences. Talk to
them about what they are seeing. Provide them with names of new objects. Answer
questions they may have.
6). Discuss things that happen in school every
day. Engage your children in conversation about their favorite subjects and
teachers, as well as any special events happening in school.
7). Find opportunities for your child to write
frequently in their native languages as well as English. Keeping a daily
writing journal, writing down recipes, creating shopping lists or writing
notes/letters for family members is a great way to do this.
8). Select television programs that you and
your child can watch and discuss. Change the setting on your TV for Closed
Captioning to be On, to read the words on the TV screen. Limit the amount
of time your child watches television and encourage them to read, write, listen
to music, or talk with family members and friends.
