Top 10 Essentials to Teach English to Non-English Speaking Kids

When introducing English to non-English speaking children, it's crucial to start with foundational concepts that will build their confidence and communication skills. Here are the first ten essential things to teach:

1. Basic Greetings

We begin with simple greetings to set a positive tone. Examples include:

Hello Hi Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Good night Bye See you later

2. Common Phrases

Introduce essential phrases such as:

How are you? What is your name? Excuse me Thank you You're welcome Pardon me

3. Numbers

Start with numbers 1-10, then expand to 20. This is fundamental for counting and basic math:

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Nine Ten

4. Colors

Introduce basic colors:

Red Blue Green Yellow Purple Brown White Black Gray Pink

5. Family Vocabulary

Teach words related to family members to help them talk about their own families:

Mother Father Sister Brother Grandmother Grandfather Uncle Aunt

6. Everyday Objects

Introduce vocabulary for common items they encounter in their daily lives:

Book Chair Table Toys Dress Shoes Bag Pen Pencil Bed

7. Simple Verbs

Teach basic action verbs to help them express what they do:

Run Jump Read Write Eat Drink Play Sing Dance

8. Body Parts

Teach names of body parts for basic communication:

Head Arms Legs Hand Foot Eyes Nose Mouth Ears

9. Simple Questions

Introduce how to ask simple questions:

What's your name? What is this? How are you? What color is it? What do you like?

10. Basic Adjectives

Teach simple adjectives to help them describe things around them:

Big Small Hot Cold Bright Dark Fast Slow

Teaching Tips

Use Visuals

Incorporate pictures, flashcards, and real objects to make learning engaging.

Interactive Activities

Include games, songs, and movement to reinforce vocabulary.

Repetition and Consistency

Regular practice and review will help solidify their learning.

Encourage Speaking

Create a safe environment for them to practice speaking without fear of making mistakes.

These foundational elements will help children start to communicate in English and build upon their skills as they progress.

Additionally, it can be beneficial to build a consistent routine. I found a great program on Pinterest that helped my 2 younger ones learn how to read before the age of 3. This program includes interactive videos, stories, and fun learning books. It's designed to help kids learn to read before they start school, and the results were fantastic! You can check it out here: [Insert Link]