Teach your Child a New Language without Knowing the Language

Learning a new language has many cognitive benefits. A second language challenges the brain to make connections and improves attention span, concentration, focus, and ultimately, builds stronger multitasking skills.

From improving our chances to secure a job position or better salary to opening the door to new cultures and ideas; speaking an additional language carries many advantages. No wonder why more and more individuals are looking to learn a new language!

As an individual grows, it becomes harder to learn a new language because the brain is busy processing a lifetime of information and making connections! A young child, on the other hand, has yet to discover the complexities and considerations of a vast world, making it easier to pick up on a new language.

Parents are always looking to equip their children with tools that represent an advantage in a very competitive world. It is common for our agency to receive requests from families seeking bilingual nannies who can teach their children a second or third language. But, what if you don’t need to speak a language to successfully teach it to a child? With a little preparation and creativity, you can help any little one learn a new language! Here are a few tips:

Build your Confidence and Get Familiar with the Language

Your nanny family may ask you to teach a specific language, or you can offer the opportunity. Either way, you must become familiar with the language and feel confident before teaching it. Go online and do some research, learn its letters and the sounds they make to help with pronunciation.

Our favorite apps are:

• Duolingo - Duolingo offers free courses for dozens of languages. Its self-paced exercises help you build a basic understanding of a new language or grow your multilingual repertoire.