Hi! This is Palme School. Today we are talking about how to motivate children to learn Russian.
General rules of motivation:
- Negative emotions will not help a child's learning if you shame them, it can have the opposite effect.
- The right praise can improve performance at any age. This was discussed here: The biggest mistake in praising a child - Palme School
- Learning a language should not be an end in itself. A trip to a new country, communicating with friends or family, watching movies and reading books in the original language - any goal that will interest the child.
Children's psyches change all the time. And ways to motivate seven-year-olds may not work on teenagers. Let's get to the bottom of it.
Preschoolers (ages 4-7) They have not yet developed emotional intelligence, and social skills are learned through imitation. That is why five-year-olds are a pure mirror of behavior in the family.
Even preschoolers highly value creativity and free play, so make them learn something because "you have to" or "you will be useful in the future", will not work.
How's that gonna work out?
The new language should be integrated into the child's daily activities:
- Cartoons in the language of learning.
- Games, puzzles and brainteasers with elements of the new language.
- Courses and teaching in a playful format and on topics that will be of interest to the child.
- Talking to friends in a new language.
Junior high school students (ages 7-12) They can distinguish between right and wrong, learn to make independent decisions, and feel more comfortable among their peers. They have new emotions and pay more attention to their success at school.
Younger students are less interested in the game format of the lessons, they are interested in challenges and overcoming difficulties.
In what format to motivate:
- Praise for diligence.
- Propose personal creative projects.
- Give grammar assignments, gently correcting when mistakes are made.
Teenagers (13-17 years old) are going through a massive attack on all their senses. Their bodies are changing, their hormones are changing. Children at this age are like standing on the bridge between childhood and adulthood. It is important for teenagers to be listened to as adults but protected as preschoolers.
At this age, children often develop stable hobbies and interests that are important to maintain.
How to motivate:
- Speak openly about your desires, communicate the consequences of irresponsibility, and compromise.
- Listen to opinions, ask questions, engage interests.
- Deliver rational reasons for learning a language.
- Preserve the elements of the game.
- Giving opportunities to manifest.
- Choose a strategy for learning a new language. If parents speak different languages, divide the languages: mom speaks only Russian, dad speaks only English.
- Discuss the chosen strategy with your partner and act together.
- Form an environment of learning a new language: communities, group activities, watching movies or cartoons.
And your children can also learn Russian with Palme School. We know everything about classroom teaching and a little bit more!
And you can sign up for a free trial lesson here