When should children learn English and what is the right and effective way?

The story of parents investing hundreds of millions of VND/month for their children to learn a foreign language but it is ineffective or forcing children to learn English through YouTube has the opposite effect, making many parents confused. The question is when should children learn English and what is the right and effective way?

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Tinh - General Secretary of the Vietnam Linguistics Association - said that currently, there are many different opinions about the time for children to learn a foreign language. Language is a system of symbols in the community, children must have a process and absorb it appropriately.

His point of view is to let children grow up naturally, perfecting their basic vocabulary and Vietnamese skills, and then exposing them to foreign languages ​​systematically. The best time for children to use English is 5-6 years old, when they have formed a basic vocabulary. At that time, children can quickly acquire a second language, even catching up and surpassing their classmates. Children exposed to English after primary school (12 years old) may be a bit late.

Before the age of 5, children can learn English but it should be done gently, mainly through games, songs, and situations to get familiar with it. Teachers and parents can diversify the types of activities to help children acquire the language, but it should be a walk, not an abuse.

"There is an old saying 'too much is not enough', parents forcing their children to study will cause consequences. Parents should let their children stabilize Vietnamese before absorbing another language. Consider English as a supporting language, helping children have a rich life," said Dr. Tinh.

This linguistic expert also believes that many children with language disorders mainly come from receiving one-way information.

"This is a disease of modern society because living conditions are too monotonous. In the past, there was no such thing as children and parents coming home to focus on using smartphones like that. Technological devices are too attractive, and when abused, it will cause children to develop skills incorrectly," Mr. Tinh said.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Vo Ky Anh - Director of the Institute of Human Potential Research - believes that children can be exposed to English from birth, between the ages of 0-3, through music and games at a moderate level.

At the age of 4-6, children are able to absorb words, phrases, sentence structures and simple expressions. For young children, acquiring English is mainly for the purpose of increasing interaction and activating the brain, not for children to know how to read and write.

Parents choose the wrong method, children are like bent bamboo

Concerned about the feasibility of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Vietnam, Associate Professor Nguyen Vo Ky Anh said that we are trying to do this. However, few organizations or programs can ensure quality.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Tinh, in order for English to be a second language, children must be immersed in the environment and specific situations to ask and answer questions and respond. From there, they will develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. At the same time, learning a foreign language must have a systematic roadmap.

According to many experts, the family environment is very important. If parents do not know a foreign language, they need to make smart, appropriate choices about English teaching programs and activities.

Associate Professor Nguyen Vo Ky Anh noted that teaching English to preschool children is different from teaching to primary and secondary school children. If the wrong method is applied to the wrong subjects and children, the consequences will be disastrous; the children will be like bamboo trees that are bent. The most important thing is to teach correct pronunciation, otherwise it will be very difficult to correct. Therefore, Vietnamese teachers must have a university degree in foreign languages. Foreign teachers must have international certificates.

Under 3 years old, children mainly learn through word and phrase interaction. 4 year old children need a standard curriculum, based on the foundation and ability to receive. When listening, speaking and interacting a lot, children will take pictures and remember, then apply when processing information.

In addition, adults need to create a close, natural environment for students. Parents should not be impatient and force their children to study.

According to Associate Professor Ky Anh, nowadays, children can learn E-learning (online learning) with videos and images to increase interaction with appropriate duration, but must have a methodical and close instructor. One-way passive learning via YouTube, inviting teachers to teach a lesson and then leave, not applying English in daily life, is an old, ineffective, and even counterproductive method.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Tinh believes that learning a foreign language requires the use of technology and machinery to help children's brains and imaginations develop and absorb easily. However, that is only supportive. Communication between people is the most important thing.