We are pleased to bring you a series of blog posts and an opportunity to learn from educator and linguistic scientist, Helen Doron. Helen has been teaching English to children for 30 years. She is the founder and CEO of the Helen Doron Educational Group and created a unique methodology for teaching English, maths, fitness, and infant development with original and revolutionary learning materials.
This week’s question: Can children learn English successfully at home rather than attending lessons? And, does the size of the class really make a difference?
Helen responds: Well, it so depends on different variables. Are you the type of parent that can sit with your child and work with him consistently? Yes, there is a lot that you can do with your child that isn’t dependent upon the type of materials you have but, the truth of the matter is, that there is an advantage to the child learning in a small group over private instruction. Children need to be motivated to learn and to speak a language. If they are learning at home with mother, father or grandparent and English isn’t their native language and they are used to communicating with the parent in their mother tongue, then they are not going to want to start speaking English with them.
I know from my own personal experiences that this is the case. I tried to teach French to my children and even though they were used to communicating with me in English, I thought that we might give it a go and try speaking French at the dinner table. Meal time would be our time for French. Sadly, it did not work. They wanted to communicate with me in English. With Helen Doron English, not only the learning materials make a difference, but English is taught by specially trained teachers who use positive reinforcement as part of a specific and unique methodology. The child understands that to take part in the lesson and to be part of a group game or activity, they must use English. They are convinced that teacher only speaks English, so that they have no other option! Also, the group dynamics and excitement of the lessons encourage the child to speak English. They have the encouragement and support of their classmates to speak. The pace of the class, the games and all the elements combine to create an environment in which English is spoken naturally and easily. There is also a vision——a framework that makes language learning so much easier. It’s a rare parent that can do the same. It’s quite commendable that a parent wants to teach the child English and, yes, there are places that don’t have any other options for learning English other than the parent’s instruction. In this case, they do the very best that they can. Really though, there is no comparison. When you have a well-prepared lesson with a fantastic syllabus, the results are outstanding. Even if the children don’t know that they are being taught, they are learning.
Helen Doron English methodology uses small group learning, fun, games and songs. The children learn as they go and they love learning! Kids love learning. Real learning, not studying for exams in school. Kids love learning and they would rather do that sometimes than play outside, particularly younger children. They are wired for learning. They want input, input, input. They want to learn more and they are satisfied and happy when they can learn in a stress-free and fun environment. The dynamics of a small group is an outstanding way for a child to learn English. Add to this, a specially trained teacher geared to helping the children interact with each other with fun and games, and they succeed they learn naturally, they speak in full sentences, without pressure and through fun. English is a joy and they succeed.
About Helen Doron
Helen began a small home business in 1985 and created a unique methodology with original and revolutionary learning materials. Her courses flourished and the business grew rapidly as Helen added teachers, teacher training courses and additional programmes based on her exclusive methodology of creativity and self-expression. New disciplines were added – maths, fitness, and infant development – and all were united under the brand name Helen Doron Educational Group.
Helen Doron Educational Group stands at the forefront of innovative educational systems providing exclusive learning programmes and quality educational materials for babies, children, adolescents and teens the world over. Helen Doron Educational Group has become one of the largest children’s educational franchisors worldwide, with 90 Master Franchisees and over 880 Learning Centres in 35 countries across 5 continents, and full kindergarten programmes in Turkey and South Korea.
For more information about Helen Doron English: www.helendoron.com