English: the best second language for your child to learn

Steffanie Zazulak
Children sat at desks in a classroom, one is smiling and looking to the front of the class
Reading time: 2 minutes

As adult learners, our very motivation for learning English can sometimes hinder our progress because we are focusing too much on the end result. The informal way in which children learn English – through music, games and fun activities – offers an environment where they can learn and practise without worrying about the importance of it all. This relaxed attitude, in turn, gives them confidence in learning English and sets them up for more opportunities in their academic pursuits and future career options.

the positive impact bilingualism has on a child’s cognitive development. Catherine Ford, head teacher of Moreton First Prep School, says that children : “Before children become self-conscious they can try out their newly acquired languages without fear of embarrassment”.

Starting the English learning process at a young age will provide the head start that most parents are keen to give their children in life, education and career. More than 77% of parents who were interviewed as part of said they would consider sending their child to study at a university abroad, which involves studying in English.

Educational benefits

The number of students pursuing postgraduate studies overseas continues to rise, reflecting the global nature of education. According to the seeking diverse academic experiences and cultural immersion. One crucial factor in this journey is having the right level of English skills, especially when applying to universities in popular destinations such as the US, UK, and Australia.

Learning English from a young age provides a solid foundation, enabling students to tackle more complex language skills tailored to their academic goals. Traditional English teaching often emphasizes reading, writing, and grammar, but studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in an English-speaking culture, enhancing speaking and listening skills.

Future career benefits

Mastering English at an early age can be a transformative asset for future career success. English is the lingua franca of business, opening doors to global opportunities and enabling individuals to pursue diverse career paths across borders. As the most widely used language in business worldwide, proficiency in English is a powerful motivator for students aspiring to join global companies.

Bilingualism is becoming increasingly advantageous in the job market, improving employability and making candidates more appealing to employers. , underscoring the competitive edge that language skills provide.

Empowering the next generation

The benefits your children are given by learning English at a young age are invaluable and as they go through life, the possibilities for advancement in their academic and business careers will be wide open. Children are fortunate to have intuitive language learning capabilities from a young age and this is certainly something to capitalize on.

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    Top tips for writing a winning English Teacher Awards 2024 nomination

    提交者 Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    We are celebrating teaching excellence around the world through the 色猫AV English Teacher Awards 2024.?

    Open to all types of English language educator, the 15 lucky global winners will take home thousands of pounds of prizes, from trips to conferences to the latest language learning software for their school.?

    Nominating an educator for the 色猫AV English Teacher Awards is simple. All applications are made via the awards entry page, and you have 600-1000 words to tell us how your nominee builds learners’ confidence to be themselves in English.?

    Here are our top tips to make the most of every word and ensure your entry is top of the class.?

    Application tips

    1. Make it category specific?

    One of the core judging criteria is how well an application matches the category description.?

    Educators can be nominated in one of five different categories:?

    1. Teaching Young Minds English
    2. Empowering Teen Confidence in English
    3. Cultivating Lifelong Learners in English?
    4. Innovation in English Language Teaching?
    5. Rising Stars of English Language Teaching?

    Tailoring your answer to the category description will make sure our judges understand exactly why your nominee is the perfect winner.?

    For a detailed description of each of the categories, take a look at our recent blog post.

    2. Focus on confidence

    Learning a language isn’t just about knowing the vocabulary or understanding the grammar; it’s about having the confidence to go out there and use your newfound skills to unlock a world of opportunities.?

    But feeling confident in something you’re still learning is hard. Anyone that’s learnt a language has experienced those dips in motivation and confidence when you come across a topic that doesn’t come naturally to you.?

    That’s where a great teacher can make all the difference. The right support and encouragement combined with innovative teaching techniques can help learners protect and even build their confidence in challenging moments.?

    That confidence is what transforms language learning from just communicating to feeling able to really be yourself in English. And when you’re able to do that, great opportunities come your way.?

    Our judges are looking for nominations that understand the connection between confidence and self-expression and the impact that can have on learners’ lives.?

    3. Demonstrate your impact

    Including relevant data and examples in your application will help judges understand the impact your nominee has had.?

    This might include data such as internal or external test results, as well as how those results have changed during that teacher’s tenure.?

    Evidence doesn’t have to mean numbers. Judges also welcome anecdotes and examples that describe the impact an educator has had on learners’ confidence.?

    The judging process

    Nominations can be submitted between 15th August and midnight (CST) on 1st November 2024.?

    After that date, all entries will be reviewed and a shortlist submitted to our expert judges.?

    There are two to three judges for each category who will independently review and shortlist nominees before collectively awarding a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in their category.?

    Shortlisted entries will be contacted by our team and announced at the 色猫AV Teacher Awards ceremony on November 21st 2024.?

    Meet the judges

    From Argentina to Algeria, Italy to Germany, 色猫AV English Teacher Award 2024 judges come from all over the world.?

    Many have years of ELT teaching experience, as well as expertise from academia and business.?

    Here are just three of our expert judges:?

    • Belgin Elmas: Head of the English Language Teaching Department at TED University in Ankara, Belgin is a professor with more than 34 years of teaching experience.?
    • Dr Silvia Minardi: President of Lingua e Nuova Didattica and Vice President of Aermigo. Dr Minardi has extensive experience in CLIL training, collaborating with the ECML and the Council of Europe.
    • Dr Renata Condi: An experienced teacher, development professional, and course book author, Dr Condi holds a PhD and MA in Applied Linguistics and an MBA in School Management.?

    The prizes

    With a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in each of the five categories, there are 15 chances for educators and their schools to win.?

    Gold winners will receive a trip to a regional professional conference, including flight and hotel, as well as up to ?500 in credit for professional development.?

    Their school will win annual licenses to top language learning app, Mondly by 色猫AV as well as a course, assessment, and certification bundle valued at ?1000?

    Silver and Bronze winners will take home top prizes too, with ?250 in credit towards their professional development and up to 500 Mondly by 色猫AV licenses for their school to continue their good work building learners’ confidence in English.?

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    Embracing AI for the new school year

    提交者 Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Back-to-school season is the perfect time to introduce something new into your teaching toolkit. With advancements in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for educators to incorporate into their workflow and beneficial for students. Here are some practical ways AI can enhance your classroom experience this new school year.

    AI saves valuable time

    One of the biggest challenges teachers face is finding the time to plan and create engaging lessons. AI can maximize your time by generating word sets, images and activities. Imagine having a virtual assistant that can suggest fresh ideas for your lessons, create tailored resources and even develop entire lesson plans. By automating these time-consuming tasks, AI allows you to focus more on teaching and interacting with your students.

    How AI can help

    • Lesson planning: Generate detailed lesson plans and activities.
    • Lesson inspiration: Get new and creative ideas for classroom activities.
    • Resource creation: Develop word sets, images and other teaching materials.

    As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider how integrating AI tools can elevate your teaching practice, making your lessons more engaging while freeing up precious time for interactions with your students.

    Personalized learning and targeted feedback

    Every student learns differently, and tailoring lessons to meet individual needs can be challenging. AI can help by providing personalized learning experiences and targeted feedback. Using data-driven insights, AI tools can identify areas where learners are struggling and offer customized recommendations to help them improve. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that no student is left behind.

    Benefits of AI in personalization

    • Personalized lessons: Adapt lessons to suit individual learning styles.
    • Targeted feedback: Provide specific feedback to help students improve.

    Creating an inclusive classroom

    ?AI can play an important role in creating an inclusive classroom environment. AI can generate visuals, audio, videos and text, or a combination of all four, catering to different learning preferences. This ensures that all learners, regardless of their learning styles or abilities, have access to the same educational content.

    AI in inclusion

    • Multimodal content: Use various formats to cater to different learning preferences.
    • Accessibility: Ensure that all students can engage with the material.

    Supporting independent learning

    Encouraging students to take charge of their own learning is essential for their development. AI can support independent learning by providing platforms that facilitate self-study at home. These platforms offer a range of resources and tools that help students learn at their own pace, making education more flexible and accessible.?Explore how supports independent learning with immersive AI-powered conversations.

    AI tools for self-study

    • Independent learning: Foster a culture of self-directed learning.
    • Self-study resources: Provide tools and platforms for students to use at home.

    Integrating AI into your teaching practice can revolutionize the way you educate and engage with your students. From saving time on lesson planning to creating an inclusive classroom and supporting independent learning, the benefits are significant.

    Want more AI tips and tricks for the classroom? Join us on the page for the next video in our series.

  • A smiley woman and one of her friends/students working in a cafe.

    English Teacher Awards 2024: Understanding the categories

    提交者 Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Teachers shape every aspect of our learning experience, especially when it comes to language learning. Great teachers give learners not only the skills but the confidence to go out in the world, start speaking up and discovering new opportunities.?

    We’re celebrating those exceptional educators with the 色猫AV English Teacher Awards 2024.?

    With five different categories and a Gold, Silver and Bronze winner in each, there are 15 chances to take home thousands of pounds worth of top prizes for the winning teachers and their schools.?

    Find out more about who can enter and the different categories in this article.?