You want your child to learn English, but you are not sure where to start, and perhaps your own level feels weak? The reassuring news is that you do not have to be a teacher to teach kids English at home. You need a short, repeated habit and a light-hearted mood. This guide gives practical steps to get going, and shows when it makes sense to add live classes.
Why children learn differently
Children do not learn a language the way adults do, with lists of rules. They learn by listening, repeating and playing. A child needs to hear a word many times before saying it, then uses it once there is a real reason to. That is why short, frequent sessions work far better than one long session now and then.
Do not worry if English is not your strong point. You do not have to be a perfect model. Learn with your child and look words up together, so they see that mistakes are normal and that learning can be fun.
6 easy ways to teach your child at home
- 10 minutes a day: choose a fixed time, after lunch or before bed. Regularity matters more than length.
- Songs and stories: songs fix words and pronunciation without effort. Read a short picture story, or watch a suitable clip together and talk about it.
- Picture cards: draw or print cards of animals, colours and food, then play a memory game.
- Words around the home: name things during your routine: door, table, water, shoes. You can add small labels too.
- Role play: pretend you are in a shop: Can I have an apple, please? Children talk easily when they are playing.
- Smart screen time, not more of it: choose English content made for children, set a limit, and sit with them when you can.
Ready-made ideas by age
Ages 8 to 10
Focus on everyday words and short sentences: colours, numbers, family and school, with songs and games. Ask questions such as What colour is it? and How many?
Ages 11 to 14
Connect English to what they love: football, games or music. Ask them to write 3 sentences about their day, or to explain a favourite game to you in English. At this age, personal interest is the strongest motivation.
Common mistakes parents make
- Correcting everything: constant correction kills the wish to speak. Repeat the sentence correctly, calmly, and carry on.
- Pressure and comparison: every child has their own pace, and comparing brothers and sisters does not help.
- Translating every word: use pictures and gestures as much as you can.
- Leaving it all to the screen: a video does not answer your child or get them talking.
- Turning it into homework: if your child is tired or bored, stop and try again tomorrow.
When does your child need live classes?
Home is excellent for building the habit, but it has limits. Structured classes may be the next step if your child understands but does not speak, is falling behind in English at school, or needs a step-by-step programme that you cannot follow alone.
In online English classes for kids, look for live sessions rather than recorded videos, a small group so your child really speaks, the right level, and clear follow-up for you as a parent.
The Ethanna kids programme is for ages 8 to 14, from A0 to A2: 2 sessions a week after school, 2 hours each, in groups of 6 children at most, with a progress report for the parent. It is 32 hours over 8 weeks for 200 TND, which comes to 6.25 TND per hour, paid in full before the first session. A parent or guardian registers, pays and accepts the terms.
A simple weekly plan
- Monday: a new song.
- Tuesday: 5 new words with picture cards.
- Wednesday: a short picture story.
- Thursday: a memory game.
- Friday: shop role play.
- Weekend: a fun review, or a rest.
How to help your child get more from online classes
If your child joins live classes, a few small details at home make a big difference:
- A quiet corner: away from the television, with a comfortable chair and good light.
- The equipment: a stable connection, a microphone or headset, a charged device and a Google account, tested ten minutes before class.
- A notebook and pen: so they can write new words by hand.
- After class: ask them for the best word they learned today.
Do not whisper the answers: children need to try and get things wrong to build confidence. If your child holds back, tell the teacher. Keep to the class times, and celebrate every small step.
Frequently asked questions
Will English confuse my child's Arabic or French?
Children in Tunisia already live with more than one language. If learning stays calm and regular, there is no reason to worry. If you notice a real difficulty, speak to their teacher.
How much time does my child need each day?
10 to 15 minutes, done regularly, is enough to begin.
How do I find my child's level?
Older children can take the placement test, and the team then checks the level with you. To understand A1 and A2, read our guide to English levels.
A free 25-question test, with an instant result from A0 to C2.