\u200bWhen my oldest son was starting to express interest in a foreign language, but didn’t really have a grasp on parts of speech in English, I purchased a program called, English from the Roots Up. While it wasn’t learning another language, it did help him look at many root words, which gave him a rich base of background knowledge of the English language. Eventually, we moved to The Latin Road to English Grammar. This gave him a good foundation in Latin so when he went to college and took Latin, his reading fluency was better than a bigger level. This prior knowledge helped him learn the new information with greater ease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know that it is often easier to read a foreign language than it is to speak it. Your child already reads at a certain level. Even if they\u2019re starting kindergarten, they probably already have sight words memorized. While these reading skills will partially transfer to reading in a new language, it\u2019s best to start at a lower level. Their brain is already doing so much work trying to recognize new words and symbols, so the lower level will make comprehension easier. I highly suggest providing books at a lower level that they\u2019ve already read in their native language. This makes it even easier to comprehend the story and feel like a successful reader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They say that practice makes perfect. That means the more your child reads in their native and new language, the better they will learn. Include reading in all your subjects, not just English class, to help them develop this critical skill. For example, they can read about historical figures instead of watching a history presentation and even read word problems in math.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reading a lot helps your child come across unknown words, which is the best way to learn new vocabulary words, word meanings, and how to use those words in everyday life. Extensive reading in any language benefits your child, but in a foreign language, it can help your child overcome the problems facing many people trying to learn a foreign language. The reading process allows them to see written text, deal with reading comprehension, and can have positive effects on all of their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to reading a lot, encourage your child to read aloud. Reading aloud in their native language can help them develop their vocabulary and pronunciation skills. These skills can transfer to reading silently or aloud in their new language. Remind them that reading aloud doesn\u2019t mean reading loud. If they\u2019re shy about someone overhearing, they can always read in a whisper or record themselves. The mental connection between reading and speaking will still form in quiet conditions and help them improve their new language skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We get bogged down in thinking there are certain types of books to read, but if you are trying to raise a child steeped in a foreign language, there are different approaches to make it enjoyable. For example, purchase a book that they love in the new language. The Cat in the Hat, and Green Eggs and Ham can be found in different languages. Harry Potter<\/a> has been translated into 85 different languages. They can compare the words and see the differences between their first language version and the new language. This is a great way to get them really interested in learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/amothersrandomthoughts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Language.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRead Simply<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Read a Lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Read Aloud<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Read in New Formats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n