8 Tips for Balancing Back to School with In-Home Language Learning

Back-to-school season often brings a mix of excitement and apprehension for children. While the break provides a welcome respite from routine for parents and children alike, resuming language learning after this hiatus can be challenging. Whether you’ve been studying a new language for months or are just starting, transitioning back into language practice requires thoughtful planning and motivation.

Although KaiBan focuses on exposing children and their families to the Chinese language and culture, our team celebrates cultural exploration of any kind. That is why we have curated practical tips to help parents smoothly resume their children’s language learning journey and make the most of the post-summer season.

By now, parents have likely recognized a pattern of schools intentionally easing students into their return to the learning environment. They typically allocate the first few weeks to a series of preparatory activities that set everyone up for a successful school year. Preparing to resume in-home language learning should be no different. Below are eight tips, beginning with some easy tasks, on how to get started this school year.

1. Restock on Supplies: One of the most exciting aspects of back-to-school season for children is school shopping. The colors, the new items, and the hustle and bustle of going from store to store all feel like an adventure to them. As parents, we notice that the anticipation of showing off their new supplies eases what could have surely been a difficult transition for our little ones. Therefore, it only makes sense to transfer that same excitement to the in-home process. KaiBan recommends planning an in-home learning supply restock trip separate from back to school. This provides children with the opportunity to create their own list and gives them something to eagerly anticipate. Mother typically knows best, so we are certain you will know exactly what you and child need to effectively begin your lessons. However, it might prove helpful to make sure parents also secure some of the items children have suggested. This validates their assessment of their needs and makes them feel included in the process.
2. Reflect on Progress and Set New Goals: Before diving back into your in-home studies, take some time to reflect on your child’s progress and set clear, achievable goals:
   • Assess their Current Level: Evaluate how much of the language they remember and where gaps may exist. This can involve reviewing old materials, taking a light quiz, or simply gauging their comfort level with various language skills.
   • Define New Goals: Set specific goals for the next phase of learning. These could be short-term objectives, like mastering a set number of new vocabulary words each week, or long-term goals, such as memorizing common phrases to use in a verbal quiz at the end of each week.

3. Ease Back into Language Learning: Jumping back into intense learning right away can be overwhelming. Instead, ease your little learner back into the routine:

• Start with a Review: Begin by revisiting previous lessons and materials. Revisiting old material is crucial for reactivating your language skills This helps refresh your child’s memory, boost their confidence, and ease anxiety about jumping back into language study. This is best achieved by reviewing vocabulary lists, grammar rules, and phrases they previously learned. Use flashcards, spaced repetition systems, or language apps to refresh your memory.
• Gradual Increase: Start with shorter study sessions and gradually increase the duration as children regain their focus and confidence. This gradual approach prevents burnout and helps re-establish a consistent routine. This looks like engaging with simple texts, articles (for older learners), or audio materials in the target language. This can help reawaken your child’s reading and listening comprehension skills.

4. Use Language Learning Resources: Technology can provide valuable support in your language learning journey:

• Online Platforms: Explore online platforms like KaiBanKids. These can offer lessons disguised as entertainment with an underlying structure for success.
• Language Learning Apps: Reacquaint yourself and your child with apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or SpanishDictionary. These platforms offer interactive exercises and gamified learning experiences that make practice engaging. And, much like teachers provide students with independent learning exercises so that they can prepare for the next phase of class or grade a few papers, KaiBan encourages parents to let their children practice with these apps or KaiBan episodes so that they can take a break, flip a load of laundry or get dinner started.
• Flashcard Apps: Flashcard apps like Quizlet help review and reinforce vocabulary. These tools utilize spaced repetition techniques to enhance memorization, and for young learners, repetition is one of the most successful means to learn.

5. Record the Lessons: As you are working with your children, set your phone or tablet up to record. Similar to how athletes review game-day footage to identify their strengths and opportunities for improvement, children can begin to see and hear their progress. Parents can afford themselves and their children grace by providing their learners with past lesson footage and asking their child to identify 3 things they have improved on, 3 things they still struggle with and their favorite activity from the past. This provides a subconscious content review for students while they actively assess themselves. In tandem, parents have afforded themselves room to adjust to returning to such a rigorous schedule of the school and work commute, household responsibilities, and in-home teaching.

6. Set Up a Reward System: Motivation can sometimes wane, especially after a break. A reward system can help fuel enthusiasm:

• Create a Reward Chart: Set up a reward chart, on which you and your child can track progress and establish rewards for achieving milestones. Rewards can be small treats, extra leisure time, or other incentives tailored to your child’s interests.
• Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate your little learner’s achievements, no matter how small. Celebrating progress boosts motivation, confidence, and reinforces positive learning habits.

7. Re-engage with Language Learning Communities: Being part of a learning community can provide support and encouragement:

• Join KaiBan’s Facebook Group: Participate in online forums or social media groups dedicated to language learning. Engaging with others who share your goals can provide motivation and useful resources. KaiBan arms its community with resources, tools, updates, and discussions that position each learner for success.
• Find Local Language Groups: Look for local language clubs or study groups where you can practice and interact with fellow learners. Local groups offer the opportunity for face-to-face practice and support.
• Playdates with Native Speakers: Do you live in a diverse community? Does your student attend a diverse school? If so, arrange playdates or interactions with multi-lingual children or youngsters who speak your child’s target language. These play-dates might need a bit of guidance to stay on-topic. Guide the children’s conversations about their learning experiences, words that are similar or different in each language, and even encourage them to try to hold a brief conversation in their common second language.
• Role-Playing: Engage in role-playing activities where your child can practice using the language in various scenarios, such as shopping, going to the doctor, or ordering food at a restaurant. Much like activities in early childhood education, many children learn through imitation and play. Be flexible enough to incorporate imagination into your efforts.
• Family Conversations: If possible, involve the entire family in your child’s language-learning practice. Speak the target language during family activities and encourage everyone to participate. If they are not familiar with the language, encourage them to ask relevant questions of the child learning the new language. Remember, setting aside dedicated time to language learning does not have to be extremely rigid or formal. As long as the focus is the practice of and exposure to the target language, those efforts count just as much, if not more.

The back-to-school season is a perfect time to introduce or enhance language learning at home. By setting clear goals, incorporating the language into daily routines, utilizing multimedia resources, and making learning fun, you can create a rich and engaging language-learning environment for your child. Remember to provide support and encouragement throughout the journey, and be flexible with your approach to adapt to your child’s needs and interests. With these strategies, you can help your child develop valuable language skills and foster a lifelong appreciation for languages and cultures.

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