Using Tech & Languages

Technology is big business these days, everyone has a phone, a TV or a radio. If you know of any young person that does not have access to any of these devices, you are looking at a extreme rare case.

On this short article, I want to share with you how you can support your child with his language learning,without having to do much. Do not worry, the following tips do not require any prior language knowledge.

1. TV settings. I am sure that you have a TV at home or even two. Why do replacing the language displayed on your TV by the language that your child is learning a school. If you get hold of the mannuals, you could find the page where the language option is. If not, just do what most people do, play with the buttons and "hope" for the best. If you have not gotthe mannuals, just navigate through the different applications.

2.Subtitles. If my previous tip sounded a bit crazy, try the following; when watching foreign movies on TV, chose a different subtitle. It will allow your child to familiarize himself with the characters of that language if he is a beginner,or it might be an execellent way of improving his reading skills if he is in the advanced stage. This is very easy to do, the instructions are on the remote control. I do it all the time.

3. What about buying DVDs? All major movies, offer subtitles in the languages such as French, Spanish, German, etc. It is extremely easy, you can see the options before the movie begins.

These tips are an excellent solution, if you need everyone at home to have a more positive mental attitude towards language learning. It does not have to be boring, bring it to life. Language learning is not another subject in the National Curriculum, it is a tool that fosters appreciation and understanding towards the different cultures and communities that live around us, here in this country and around the world.