Young children find it easy to imitate the sounds of a language. Introducing them early to a foreign language, through play, can give them a sharper ear and a lasting curiosity about other cultures. The key: it must stay fun.
Play rather than teach
At this age, children don't learn word lists: they play. Nursery rhymes, songs, finger games, riddles, hide-and-seek counting in another language… Children remember what they experience with emotion.
Stories and books
Simple picture books read aloud are perfect. It doesn't matter if your pronunciation isn't perfect: you can also use audiobooks or videos told by native speakers.
A short, regular moment
Ten minutes every day is better than an hour on Sunday. Create a small ritual: a song at bath time, a story in the evening, colours on the way to school. Regularity is the key, just as for adults (see our tips on motivation).
If the language is spoken at home
In a bilingual family, each parent can speak their own language to the child. The child sometimes answers in the dominant language for a while: that is normal, they keep understanding and learning.
No pressure, no non-stop screens
Avoid constantly testing or correcting: the child should link the language with something pleasant. Cartoons in a foreign language can help, but nothing replaces interaction with an adult who talks, sings and plays with them.
And later?
In the teenage years, culture (music, series, video games) often becomes the best driver. And for an exam such as DELF or Cambridge, our tips to prepare for a language exam also apply to older children.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child start a foreign language?
Very early is possible, through games and songs. But it is never too late: teenagers and adults also learn very well.
Do I need to speak the language perfectly to teach my child?
No. Audiobooks, songs and videos by native speakers complement your reading very well.
My child mixes the two languages — is that a problem?
No, it is a normal stage of bilingualism. It sorts itself out over time.