【講師コラム】エセル講師No.9～Are you worried about your child’s English speaking ability?～

Generally speaking, according to some research, different life stages give us different advantages in language learning. Babies have a better ear for different sounds, while toddlers can pick up native accents.  In this stage, the children learn words and expressions in parallel with their native language. Adults have longer attention spans and crucial skills that allow them to continually expand their vocabulary, even in their own language.

There is no question that the early years are crucial for acquiring our mother tongue. It was supported by my friend who mastered linguistics. He said that a person needs to have a solid foundation in the mother tongue because it would be hard learning a foreign language. Many studies support that theory. But it surprises me that in some research, cut-off is not the same for foreign language learning. Like what I mentioned early that young children could acquire a foreign language in parallel with their mother tongue.

So, I contemplated with these findings because I can relate them to the development of my son’s English speaking skill.

I asked my son how he acquired his English skills. His answer is straightforward, he needs to survive. English is crucial in social activities, school requirements, and even in his interest. In school, they are instructed purely in English, aside from Filipino subjects. And when it comes to his hobby, English is necessary to communicate with his online gaming friends. So, I concluded that English speaking skill is significant for social survival, making friends, being accepted, and fitting in. My son’s case is just one of the myriad ways how a child could obtain skill in speaking.

Being a mother and an English teacher for 12 years, I would say that there aren’t any specific or absolute methods to acquire English speaking ability because each child is unique, and many parents could attest to that.

The most important thing is for the parent to incite the child’s interest in the English language, allow him to develop, and do not press him in any way, do not compare your child with other children, and do not forget to praise him for the efforts made. The parents must show their full support and understanding.

There may have myriads of statistics, theories, and charts, but when it comes to your child and his future, the choice is entirely in your hands. My advice to worried parents is….. Just take it easy, don’t complicate things and lastly, just enjoy and be happy with your children learning English.