IATEFL 2015 Manchester Karen Saxby Engaging parents in their children’s English language learning

Let’s explore why parents might want or not want to engage in their child’s language learning rethink why we learn languages and then … using those thoughts, consider how teachers could encourage parents to engage more look at ways in which parents can help their children

Why might a parent want to engage in their child’s language learning? ambition for their child (passing exams/bilingual hopes) wider education (e.g. so their child could study other subjects in English) integration in an English-speaking community fun, valuable, shared time, doing activities together

Ideally, young learners need help from both teachers AND their parents

The four essential teacher/parent roles: information direction caring energising

But carrying out all four roles isn’t always as simple as that, is it?

Parents are going to vary hugely in their ability to help in all four ways. Their own knowledge of English might be limited.

Some parents may be very willing. Others may lack time or confidence. Some may think English language learning is vital. Others may think other subjects are far more important.

How about you? And how about your students’ parents? Are you/they resource givers? Where are you/they on the engaged-disengaged scale? Are you/they supporters of tiger parenting? No two of us are the same.

To find ways to most helpfully engage parents, let’s go back to basics. Why do we learn a second language?

Language – what’s it for? saying what we think, need, like, dislike expressing our personality and individuality reading and learning about our world listening and responding connecting with people near to us and perhaps people on the other side of the world

Why learn a language? to pass exams, gain status/qualifications and access wider career choices but also to develop the confidence to say who we are, what we believe in and what our dreams are to communicate those thoughts to communities we find ourselves in and therefore be present in those communities

Language is not maths!

How can a teacher engage a parent’s help? explain how vital their role might be EVEN IF the parent has little command of English

To trigger intrinsic motivation, the learning experience should be meaningful, fun, varied, interesting and should allow for personal selection and expression.

Giving parents more information If the child is taking Cambridge English: Young Learners, familiarise the parent with the tasks their child will undertake.

Show parents how to access the vocabulary and grammar lists online

Remind parents of the Cambridge English: Young Learners ethos The tests: are designed to test skills in fun, interesting and varied ways use language that is meaningful to a child can develop a child’s English language skills in a natural, stress-free way

Share ideas with parents at an information evening Mistakes bring opportunities for learning. Many young children remember language more easily if learning is subtly combined with creative activities such as drawing, role play, model-making, etc. Pictures can be used to trigger language in so many ways. Children have an extraordinary ability to learn language through listening to or reading stories. Even one minute of practice now and then will build confidence.

The parent should now know: how helpful and important their role can be (regardless of limitations) even if they feel unable to give direction or instruction, they can show interest and provide undivided attention, motivational caring and energy/focus to the learning experience they can have fun in this shared quest … and maybe even learn something new!

To sum up, a parent can really help by: keeping their Cambridge English: Young Learners task awareness in their back pocket for reference remembering that the tests may measure all children in the same way, but their child’s language needs are unique (as is their personality) organising creative, fun, varied and meaningful activities to encourage language learning (reading, writing, listening and speaking)

Ideas for parents to use at home Allow the child (on their own or with friends) to: read stories that reflect their particular interests listen to audio storybooks write to English-speaking pen friends watch appropriate cartoons and English language films create fact files ‘collect’ favourite words draw and label pictures

The parent and child together can: create vocabulary flash cards explore online interactive English-language learning websites play board games in English (e.g. bilingual Scrabble) enjoy English speaking ‘minute activities’ (e.g. at meal times, on car journeys) talk in English about pictures/games/films the child likes (scary, funny, informative, etc.) play memory games do crosswords and word searches

Knowing their child is unique, a parent could be enormously supportive by: respecting and exploring that uniqueness providing books/e-books their child will want to read finding websites that will interest their child showing they care about their child’s progress without applying any perceived pressure on the child encouraging intrinsic motivation by modelling their own enthusiasm for language work at home

Handout of suggested activities for parents to do with their children For more activities for parents and children, visit:

Cambridge English: Young Learners tests: assess skills through a series of tasks that are fun and as meaningful as possible in the child’s world do not ‘measure’ the child as a pass or fail candidate are a motivating first step in Cambridge English exams

Experiment – vive la différence!

Extract from Storyfun for Movers Image: by Mandy Field, Phosphor Art

Further information Cambridge English Language Assessment 1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Keep up to date with what’s new via the website: For important information about Cambridge English exams: For more activities for parents and children, visit: