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| 01 |
Get
a video or DVD |
There
are some lovely language learning videos around that will
entertain your kids and get them to pick up a bit of the
new language!
Find out more about language videos
for kids>>
Find
out more about language dvds for
kids>> |
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| 02 |
Get
a tape or CD |
Play
a tape or CD in another language and your kids will
soon be singing along, oblivious to the fact that they're
in another language! Just have it on in the background
while you're playing with your children or while you're
doing the work around the house.
Find out more about language
tapes & cds for kids>>
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| 03 |
Get
a CD-ROM |
Kids
love playing on the computer, so why not get them a language
learning CD-ROM? Many have voice recognition, so that
your children can record themselves and play it back.
This keeps them amused for ages and improves their pronunciation
no end!
Find out more about language cd-roms
for kids>> |
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| 04 |
Get
a language toy |
Kids
love playing with their toys, so why not get them a doll
or a toy computer that speaks in another language? You
can also get classic games such as Monopoly or Scrabble
in other languages.
Find out more about language toys
for kids>> |
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| 05 |
Get
a book |
Your
kids will get used to seeing books in other languages
and will repeat the words quite naturally. There are even
bilingual books and colouring books out there too!
Find out more about language books
for kids>> |
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| 06 |
Learn
on-line |
Go
to one of the FREE on-line language lessons on the web
where some have lessons in over 70 languages!
Find
out more about online language
courses for kids>>
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| 07 |
Use
a revision website |
Also,
why not try out an on-line revision website and improve
your languages in time for your exams? It may even be
useful to you in doing homework. |
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| 08 |
Use
an on-line translator |
Help
your school or college work by using an on-line translator
- it's also fun to experiment with new languages!
Alternatively you could have a cool handheld translator
to help build your vocabulary and to act as an instant
interpreter when you are abroad.
Take a look at: Language
Advantage Translation |
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| 09 |
Use
the internet |
The
internet is an amazing resource for reading in so many
other languages. You can now access the national newspapers
in every country in the world, use the local search engines,
and just browse through hundreds of travel and leisure
sites in your chosen language.
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| 10 |
Listen
to internet radio |
Cool
for older kids! You can listen to the best (and the worst)
music in any language from anywhere in the world. |
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| 11 |
Get
a penpal |
Find
a penpal in another country and email them in their language.
Start simple saying 'bonjour' and 'hola' and then add
a few more words each time! |
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| 12 |
Watch
a movie |
Your
kids will enjoy watching one of their favourite videos
in another language - and soon they'll be repeating
the phrases! Videos and DVDs have subtitles in English
too!
Take a look at: Language
Advantage Films
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| 13 |
Get
cable or satellite TV
|
Install
cable or satellite TV and you'll be able to pick up TV
from many countries. Tune in and see how much you can
understand! |
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| 14 |
Join
a language class |
Companies
and private tutors offering French classes are emerging
all around the world. These are available from about the
age of 2 (when a child can sit still!) and then as after-school
clubs. Great to give your child a head-start if your school
doesn't offer French or to supplement their studies if
it already does.
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| 15 |
Join
a bilingual nursery or school |
There
are more and more playgroups, nurseries and schools that
are adding a language to the curriculum or operating bilingual
education. These are more common in larger, multicultural
cities around the world, but take a look at what you have
locally. And you could always set one up yourself!! |
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| 16 |
Go
on an exchange programme abroad |
Contact
you local government authorites or school who are likely
to have a twinning programme in place. Alternatively you
can try a placement service, but please be sure to check
these out thoroughly as you will be leaving your children
in their care. |
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| 17 |
Take
an immersion course abroad |
Use
the school holidays to take a language course in the country
where your language is spoken. Try French in France, or
Spanish in Spain. Or even better, take a year out and
go in live in the country where you language is spoken.
It really is the best way to learn the language!
Take
a look at: Language
Advantage Courses Abroad |
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| 18 |
Go
on holiday abroad |
Go
on holiday to another country where the language is spoken
and encourage them to say hello, order food and drinks
and so on. Set a good example by trying to use the language
too! A lot of success in language learning is attributed
to being confident to try it out and not being worried
about trying again! By the end of the holiday, they'll
be able to say the basics (and you get more attention
in the cafes and restaurants!).
Take a look at: Language
Advantage Travel |
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| 19 |
Use
your friends
|
Encourage
any friends you have to talk to your child in another
language. In this way, your child will know and accept
from a very young age that people speak different languages
and will not be frightened when more formal language learning
is introduced later in life.
Do the same in class if you have a friend that speaks
the language you're learning! Set aside 10 minutes a day
to try and speak in that language - or set up a language
circle at lunch-time. |
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| 20 |
Don't
forget the culture! |
And
while you're learning the language, don't forget to learn
about the culture of the country you're studying. It is
just as important to understand the etiquette, customs,
behaviours and history of a country as it is to be able
to speak the language.
Take a look at:
Language
Advantage Books |
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