When a Child Wants to Speak English: The One Thing Parents Should Do

"Mom, what's this in English?" "I want to speak English!"

Have you felt a warmth in your heart recently, seeing your child show a sudden interest in English? It might have started as a playful imitation, mimicking phrases from a YouTube character, or laughing while saying a dinosaur's name in English. Sometimes, they even bravely say "Hello!" to a foreigner they meet on the street.

But within those small words lies your child's genuine desire to "try speaking English." Children's language learning desires are far purer and more intuitive than we might think. They aren't trying to master complex grammar or difficult vocabulary; they simply want to "communicate with others."

When a Child Wants to Speak English, What's the Smartest Parental Response?

Many parents at this point pull out English books or start memorizing words. Or they might look into English academies or order phonics textbooks. But actually, what your child wants isn't "reading English" but "speaking English."

If you think about it, your child didn't start by reading books when learning Korean. They first listened, followed, imitated, and only then learned letters. By listening to mom and dad, they naturally picked up the rhythm and intonation of the language, gradually becoming able to express their thoughts.

It's the same with English. When the desire to speak arises, what connects that desire isn't a 'book' but 'conversation'. The moment when a child wants to speak English is the most precious learning opportunity.

Understanding Your Child's Heart is the First Step

When a child wants to speak English, various emotions are mixed in their words: curiosity, excitement, and a hint of fear. How well parents understand these complex emotions can change the course of their child's English learning journey.

Some parents might think, "They can't even read Korean properly yet, why English?" But there's no set order for language learning. Instead, the moment your child shows interest is the most effective learning timing.

Other parents worry, "I'm not good at English, how can I help?" But parents don't need to be perfectly fluent in English. Approach it with the mindset of learning together with your child. For your child, the time spent together is more valuable than a parent's perfection.

When Your Child Wants to Speak, the Most Important Thing is an 'English-Speaking Environment'

So, how can you specifically help?

1. Start with Short, Low-Pressure Sentences

When a child wants to speak English, start with simple expressions like "Good morning," "Thank you," or "I love you." Expressions that can be naturally used in daily life are good. You can start by saying "Good morning!" when waking up in the morning, or "Thank you!" after eating a meal.

What's important here is not to demand perfect pronunciation. Even if your child says "Goo-d Morning!" praise them by saying "Great job!" Pronunciation can improve naturally, but once confidence is undermined, it's hard to recover.

2. Converse on Topics Your Child Loves

If your child loves dinosaurs, let them try saying dinosaur names in English like "T-Rex" or "Triceratops." If they enjoy making slime, learn words like "slime," "colorful," or "stretchy" together.

Finding English words together for topics your child is interested in and forming simple sentences is also a good method. For example, by creating sentences like "I like dinosaurs" or "This slime is blue," they can naturally learn English expressions.

3. Create an Atmosphere Where Mistakes Are Okay

When your child speaks English, don't correct them immediately if they use an incorrect expression. Instead, first praise them by saying "Wow, you're speaking English! That's cool!" and then naturally present the correct expression.

For example, if your child says "I go school," you can naturally provide the complete sentence by saying, "You mean you go to school! I go to school!" This way, your child can naturally learn the correct expression without feeling like they made a mistake.

4. Use English in Daily Life

You don't need to set aside special time; you can naturally use English in daily life. When grocery shopping, you can say words like "apple," "banana," or "milk" together, or say "red," "blue," or "yellow" whenever you see colors.

Singing along to English children's songs or imitating simple expressions while watching English cartoons can also be effective. These activities help instill in your child the idea that English is not difficult studying, but rather fun play.

But There Are Also Practical Limitations

It's not easy to speak English with your child every day. You might hesitate even more if you're worried about your pronunciation or expressions. Parents who work might not have enough time, and those who aren't confident in English might worry about teaching their child something wrong.

Furthermore, as your child's English level advances, it might become difficult for parents to keep up. While basic words and expressions can be learned together, more complex sentences and natural conversation might require professional help.

That's why many parents consider getting professional help. Entrusting that role to an expert can also be a good choice.

When Should You Seek Professional Help?

When a child wants to speak English, consider getting professional help in the following situations:

• If your child consistently shows interest in English, that interest needs to be systematically developed. It's important to help them progress beyond simply knowing a few words to being able to truly communicate.
• Also, if your child wants to use more complex expressions, it might be difficult for parents to manage alone. At this point, professional curriculum and systematic guidance are necessary.
• Most importantly, it's crucial to receive proper guidance before your child's pronunciation or expressions solidify in the wrong way. Language habits formed in early childhood can be difficult to correct later.

Nao Now: The Brand That Makes Children 'Speak English'

Lessons where children don't just 'learn' English, but 'speak their own stories' in English.

Nao Now is a conversation-focused online English platform that truly empowers children to speak when a child wants to speak English. It doesn't just teach English; it helps children express their thoughts and feelings in English.

Naonow's biggest feature is its child-centered, customized lessons. We understand your child's interests, personality, and learning style to design classes that fit them. If your child loves dinosaurs, we'll have dinosaur-themed lessons; if they enjoy cooking, we'll have cooking-themed lessons.

Why Naonow?

1. 1:1 Live Conversation with Ivy League and Top U.S. University Mentors

Nao Now's mentors are all graduates of Ivy League and top U.S. universities, possessing high-level English proficiency. However, simply being good at English isn't enough. Teaching children requires special skills.

Nao Now's mentors are all selected through a rigorous screening process. We don't just look at English proficiency; we comprehensively evaluate their communication skills with children, patience, and creativity. We apply strict standards, with an acceptance rate of only 7%.

Furthermore, selected mentors must complete a systematic training program. They receive professional training on children's developmental stages, effective teaching methods, motivation techniques, and more. This creates an environment where children can learn English comfortably and enjoyably.

2. Engaging Lesson Topics to Spark Interest

Nao Now's lessons are completely different from typical English classes. They are structured around topics that children find exciting, such as slime making, Jurassic Park, and pancake classes.

For example, in a slime-making class, children don't just make slime; they describe ingredients in English, express the process, and describe the characteristics of the finished slime. In this process, children naturally learn various English expressions.

In the Jurassic Park class, children learn the names and characteristics of dinosaurs in English and have time to present about their favorite dinosaurs. In the pancake class, they explain the cooking process in English and learn various adjectives to describe tastes.

These topic-centered lessons significantly increase children's participation and help sustain their interest in learning English.

3. AI-Powered Pronunciation Correction and Systematic Feedback

Naonow is equipped with an AI-powered pronunciation correction system that utilizes the latest AI technology. It analyzes every pronunciation your child makes in real-time and suggests improvements. This helps your child learn accurate pronunciation.

After each lesson, a detailed feedback report is provided. It comprehensively summarizes the expressions your child used during the lesson, areas of improvement, and areas to focus on in the future, delivering this information to parents. This allows parents to clearly understand their child's learning progress and growth.

Additionally, the AI system analyzes your child's learning patterns to establish a personalized learning plan. It analyzes data on where your child struggles and which learning methods are most effective, presenting the optimal learning approach.

4. Maximized Immersion with a Child-Exclusive 3D Classroom Platform

Most existing online classes use general video conferencing platforms like Zoom. However, these platforms can feel a bit stiff and uninteresting to children.

Nao Now uses a 3D classroom platform specially developed for children. Lessons take place in a magical space, as if they've stepped into a game. Children can create their own avatars and interact with their mentors in a 3D environment.

This environment significantly increases children's immersion. They don't just feel like they're watching a screen; they feel like they're actually in that space. Furthermore, various tools and learning aids are rendered in 3D, providing an even more vivid learning experience.

5. Customized Lesson Design with a 7-Level System

Nao Now operates a systematic 7-level system. This system is designed based on the internationally recognized CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) standards.

Each level has clear learning objectives and achievement criteria, allowing your child to clearly track their progress. They can also improve their skills step-by-step without feeling overwhelmed.

In the initial stages, children learn basic alphabets and phonics, gradually progressing to words, sentences, and conversations. In advanced stages, they develop to a level capable of debate and essay writing.

What's important is that the lessons proceed at each child's individual learning pace. Some children may progress quickly, while others may take their time. Naonow respects each child's pace and provides the optimal learning experience.

Nao Now is More Than Just English Education

Nao Now serves as a bridge, connecting your child's 'desire to speak' with language. It's not just a "good teaching place"; it's a "class your child looks forward to speaking in."

Many children feel stressed during English lessons. When they repeatedly experience memorizing difficult grammar, learning complex words, and being scolded for mistakes, they lose interest in English.

But children who take Naonow's classes are different. They look forward to class time, enjoy conversations with their mentors, and find expressing themselves in English fun. These positive experiences accumulate, and children naturally improve their English skills.

In fact, many children taking Naonow classes often ask, "When is class today?" The sight of children eagerly anticipating their English lessons brings great joy to parents.

Now is the Perfect Time

If your child says, "Mom, I want to speak English," it means now is the best time to start.

The moment when a child wants to speak English is when their interest and motivation for language are at their peak. Don't miss this precious opportunity. It's important to connect that passion to concrete learning before your child's interest wanes.

In language learning, there's a concept called the Critical Period. This theory suggests that exposure to language at a specific age can lead to easier and more natural acquisition. The moment your child shows interest in English might be that very period.

Furthermore, a child's brain is much more flexible and absorbent than an adult's. They can quickly learn the sounds and patterns of a new language and naturally embody them. To maximize these advantages, appropriate stimulation must be provided at the right time.

Most importantly, when your child says "I want to" themselves, it's a very valuable sign. It comes from intrinsic motivation, not external compulsion. This kind of motivation is the most crucial factor in maximizing learning effectiveness.

We Understand Parents' Concerns

At the same time, we fully understand parents' concerns. "What if starting English too early affects their Korean language development?" "What if they get stressed from English studies?" "Are the costs too burdensome?"

These concerns are all natural and reasonable. Naonow has put various safeguards in place to alleviate these parental worries.

First, you don't need to worry about Korean language development. Many studies show that bilingual acquisition can actually aid cognitive development. The important thing is a balanced approach.

The concern about stress is also addressed. Naonow's lessons are designed to be so fun that the line between play and learning is blurred, so children feel enjoyment rather than stress.

We have also sufficiently considered the burden of cost. Naonow offers free trial lessons and various lesson packages to help parents get started without feeling overwhelmed.

Start with a Free Trial

Continue that momentum with Naonow.

Start your child's English speaking journey with a Naonow free trial. In the free trial lesson, we accurately assess your child's current English level, analyze their interests and learning style, and propose a customized learning plan.

After the free trial lesson, we provide a detailed feedback report. We specifically inform you of your child's strengths and areas where they need more help. Based on this, parents can decide on their child's English education direction.

You can also experience Naonow's teaching method and platform firsthand through the free trial. You can check if your child enjoys the class, communicates well with the mentor, and has any difficulty using the platform.

Applying for a free trial is very simple. Just enter some basic information on the Naonow website, and a professional consultant will match your child with the most suitable mentor.

When a child wants to speak English, don't miss that moment. Let Naonow help your child's dream of speaking English become a reality.

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Start with a Free Trial

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