Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Language Alive Through Daily Routines

Raising bilingual kids in a mostly English-speaking world can feel like swimming against the current. 
You may find your child answering in English even when you speak to them in your home language, or notice that siblings switch to English the moment they play together. 
Add the daily rush—school, meals, bedtime—and it’s easy to feel like keeping your language alive is a losing battle.
The good news? Research shows you don’t need perfection or “all-day immersion” to make bilingualism work. What really matters is consistency, and weaving the home language into everyday moments that already exist.

Why daily exposure matters 
Studies suggest that children need around 30% of their waking hours in a language to actively use it. 
That might sound like a lot, but when you break it down, daily routines actually provide the perfect “built-in” opportunities: mealtimes, car rides, bedtime stories, even chores.
And here’s another reassuring finding: code-switching (mixing languages) is not a failure. In fact, it shows flexibility and deep understanding. Kids often use both languages strategically depending on context, and parents can lean into this instead of fighting it.


Everyday Routines That Build Language Naturally

1. At mealtimes

• Assign roles in your language: One child is the “menu reader” or “food describer” in the home language.
  
• Conversation starters: Instead of “How was school?”, try this questions in the home language: “Tell me one funny thing that happened today” or “What was the yummiest part of lunch?”
  
  

2. During playtime

• Role-play kits (doctor, store, restaurant) work beautifully if you model dialogue in your language.
  
• If siblings slip into English, give them a “secret word” they can only say in the home language to unlock the next part of the game. It feels like a challenge, not a correction.
  
  
  

3. In transitions and routines

• Morning routine: Create a short chant or silly rhyme in the home language for brushing teeth, getting dressed, or packing a bag. Repetition cements vocabulary.
  
  

4. At bedtime

• Two-book rule: One in English (often required for school), one in the home language. Kids learn to expect both.
  
• Story expansion: After finishing the book, ask one “what if” question in the home language: “What if the bear visited our house?” This sparks creativity and stretches vocabulary.
  
  
  

5. With technology (the smart way)

• Research shows that co-viewing—watching together—makes screen time more effective for language growth than passive watching.
  
• Choose shows or YouTube channels in your language, then you can talk about a specific scene.
  
  
  

When Kids Push BackIt’s normal for kids to resist, especially when English feels easier. Instead of forcing, use gentle nudges:

• If your child answers in English, repeat their sentence back in the home language and add a new word.
  
• Use humor: mispronounce a word on purpose and let them “correct” you—they’ll practice without realizing.
  
• Involve grandparents or extended family through quick video calls. Kids often use the home language more readily with relatives.
  
  
  

Keeping your home language alive isn’t about strict rules or constant correction. It’s about creating small, joyful touchpoints where your child feels the language is useful, playful, and part of who they are.

With consistent routines--even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time—you’re not only preserving words. You’re giving your child a bridge to their culture, their family, and a richer way of seeing the world.

Miss Evodie sees language learning as a chance to connect with each student’s unique personality. With a background in Montessori education and a love for movement, humor, and hands-on discovery, she brings energy and joy into every class. 

In her own words, here’s what inspires her to teach and what keeps her students smiling and learning:

1. What inspired you to become a language teacher for kids?
Since my earliest age, the desire to share my knowledge with everyone has inspired me to become a teacher.

2. What do you enjoy most about teaching kids, and what makes them such a great audience for language learning?
Diversity. We meet different children, with different thoughts and perspectives. That stimulates me to work better and reflect on new approaches to teaching.

3. If you weren’t a language teacher, what other job would you have?
If I were not a teacher, I would be a psychologist.

4. What do you like about the Tribeca Language teaching approach?
 I like the “learn and fun” approach.

5. How do you incorporate creativity or games into your lessons to keep kids excited about learning?
It’s so important to help children have fun while learning. When kids are engaged and having fun, they’re not only more likely to retain the information, but also to develop a lifelong love for learning. That’s why I incorporate creative ideas to make learning fun: integrating music, stimulating movement to keep kids engaged, using props to encourage them to use their senses to explore, and incorporating some laughter, like a funny story or a knock-knock joke.

6. What is one of your favorite props or activities for your classes?
As a Montessori teacher, I explore concepts through hands-on activities where students touch, feel, and explore. I also add movement activities that work well with my music class curriculum.

7. What are some of the most rewarding moments you’ve experienced while teaching children?
When my students tell me, “You are a great and funny teacher”.

8. What’s one thing you’ve learned from your students that has surprised or inspired you?
 I’ve learned from my students:
 1 – Always strive to be a better you.
 2 – Laugh.
 3 – Attend to the whole child.
 4 – Nothing works for everyone.

9. If you could have a superpower to help kids learn languages faster, what would it be?
I would like to have the power to read minds, in order to teach them better and understand their needs at the level of education.

10. What are your favorite hobbies, or what do you like to do when you are not teaching?
My favorite hobbies are singing and dancing

“I want my child to learn, but… I don’t speak the language!”

If you’ve ever had that thought, you’re not alone.
Many parents want their child to speak Spanish, French, Mandarin, or another language, especially for family, cultural, or educational reasons. But what happens when you, as the parent, don’t speak it?

Good news: your support still matters a lot. You don’t need to be fluent to raise a bilingual (or multilingual!) child. In fact, your encouragement, curiosity, and consistency are more important than your accent or vocabulary.

Here’s how you can be your child’s biggest language ally  (even if you can’t roll your R’s or conjugate a verb)

1. Be the Cheerleader, Not the Teacher
You don’t have to teach the language — that’s our job. Your job is to create a safe, encouraging space where your child feels proud of their learning.
​

• Celebrate effort, not perfection (“Wow, I love how you said that!”)
• Show genuine excitement when they speak or sing in the target language
• Reinforce that it’s okay to make mistakes.
• Confidence grows when kids feel safe to try.

2. Fill Your Home With the Language
Even if you don’t understand it, you can still surround your child with the sounds and rhythm of the language:
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• Play songs during breakfast or bath time (Spotify has great playlists)
• Watch cartoons or simple shows in the target language
• Add labels to everyday objects (e.g., “door / la porte”)

This turns passive exposure into daily reinforcement, and helps normalize the language as part of everyday life.

3. Read With Them,  Even If You Don’t Read Fluently
Storybooks in the target language are fantastic tools. Many have visual cues and repeated phrases, so you can follow along together. Look for:

• Bilingual books (text in both languages)
• Picture books with familiar routines (bedtime, animals, food)
• Audiobooks with native speaker narration

Tip: Let your child “teach” you a word or phrase from the story. It boosts their confidence and yours.

4. Create Language Moments, Not Pressure
Consistency beats intensity. Instead of “language hour,” aim for bite-sized, joyful moments throughout the week:

• A 5-minute song-and-dance before dinner
• Saying hello/goodbye in the language each day
• Letting your child “order” in French/Spanish during pretend play

The goal? Make the language feel like fun, not homework.

5. Show That You Value the Language
Children take cues from what we model. Even if you don’t speak the language, showing curiosity and openness sends a powerful message:

• Ask your child to teach you a new word each week
• Learn a few basic phrases yourself (even badly)
• Talk positively about the culture, countries, or family members tied to the language

“If Mommy/Daddy is trying too… this must be important.”

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be Fluent, Just Present
You don’t need to speak the language to support your child’s journey, just like you don’t need to be a math genius to help with homework.

What matters most is enthusiasm, encouragement, and environment.
At Tribeca Language, we design our programs to be accessible, fun, and meaningful for kids — and inclusive for parents at every fluency level.

✨ Want Support Every Step of the Way?
Explore our parent-friendly language programs designed for:

🧒 First-time learners
🗣️ Heritage speakers
🎓 Academic prep

👉 Book a free trial or learn more

Summer is a time for sunshine, adventures, and much-needed rest—but for children learning a second (or third!) language, it can also bring a hidden challenge: summer language learning loss.

Just like with math and reading, children risk forgetting vocabulary, structures, and confidence if their language practice comes to a sudden halt over the break.

But don’t worry—keeping your child’s language skills sharp doesn’t require formal lessons every day. With the right strategies, you can keep language learning fun, natural, and consistent all summer long.

So... What is the “Summer Slide” in Language Learning?
The “summer slide” refers to the loss of academic skills during extended school breaks. In language learning, this might mean:

 - Forgetting key vocabulary and phrases
 - Losing listening comprehension
 - Reduced speaking confidence
 - Difficulty re-engaging in September

For language learners, especially young children, consistency is key. Without regular input and opportunities to speak, their budding skills can quickly fade.

Here Are 10 Fun & Easy Ways to Keep Language Learning Alive This Summer

1. Turn Screen Time into Language Time
Make the most of cartoons and shows by switching the audio to your target language. Favorites like Pocoyo, Masha & The Bear, and Titounis (for French learners) are not only fun but packed with repetition, simple dialogue, and visual cues that help kids connect meaning with language naturally.

2. Story Time in Another Language
Read bilingual books or familiar classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear in your target language. Repetition and storytelling rhythm help develop comprehension—and kids love hearing their favorite stories in new ways.

3. Use Interactive Books & Word Play
Bilingual interactive books or toys like LeapFrog offer touch-and-learn fun with audio support in multiple languages. Kids can press buttons, repeat words, and build vocabulary through play.

4. Themed Vocabulary Days
Pick a new theme each week—like animals, beach fun, or favorite foods—and introduce 5–10 new words. Use them all day long: “Let’s eat sandía! Look, it’s a papillon!” Making the words part of everyday moments helps them stick.

5. Play-Based Learning
Grab some puppets, play kitchen toys, or go on an indoor scavenger hunt while using the target language. Role-play builds confidence in using everyday phrases like “Where is it?”, “I want...”, or “Can I have...?”

6. Join a Language Summer Camp or Group
Nothing beats real-time interaction! Sign up for a language immersion camp or weekend group. At Tribeca Language, our Summer Camps are packed with songs, crafts, games, and immersive fun.

7. Create a Language Jar
Fill a jar with slips of paper—each with a word, phrase, or fun challenge (like “Draw a sun” or “Sing a color song”). For toddlers, use pictures instead of words. Each day, pick one and turn it into a mini language adventure.

8. Music & Movement
Dance and sing along to songs in the target language. Whether it’s classic nursery rhymes or catchy kids’ hits, music helps with memory, pronunciation, and rhythm—plus, it’s great for energy release!

9. Review Class Reports & Worksheets
If your child has taken classes with Tribeca Language, revisit lesson reports and worksheets. Review key vocabulary, sing old songs, rewatch class videos (if available), or recreate activities—they’re a great refresher tool!

10. For Native-Speaking Parents: Speak It at Home
It’s tempting to default to English for ease—but consistent exposure to your native language at home is a powerful gift. Even if your child responds in English, hearing the language spoken regularly helps them stay immersed and connected.

Extra Tip. Make It Manageable: 15 Minutes a Day
You don’t need hours of structured study—just 15–20 minutes a day of playful exposure makes a big difference. The key is consistency, not perfection.

Final Thoughts?
Language learning is a journey, not a sprint. Summer offers a golden opportunity to connect, play, and keep the joy of language alive in low-pressure, high-fun ways.

Whether you’re traveling, staying local, or doing staycations, there are always chances to speak, sing, read, and laugh in a new language.

So this summer, don’t let those hard-earned language skills melt away—nurture them with sunshine and fun! 🌞🗣️🌍

At Tribeca Language, every teacher brings their own voice and perspective to the classroom. 
In this interview, we spoke with Cara, our Mandarin teacher, about what motivates her, what she enjoys most about working with children, and how she supports her students in their language learning journey.

1. What inspired you to become a language teacher for kids?
Language is such an important bridge that connects all the people in the world. Kids are natural language learner from beginning. 
To help kids learn something they genuinely want to know, and this being a new language, is very rewarding. 

Language classes taught with the communicative approach also tend to be more lively, varied, and engaging. Students should have fun in lessons, and that is rewarding to be a part of.

2. What do you enjoy most about teaching kids, and what makes them such a great audience for language learning?
One of the greatest rewards of teaching is seeing the progress of your students. From when students understand a difficult concept, to helping children learn a new skill, seeing a child's eyes light up after grasping a new piece of knowledge is priceless. Teaching is a career to be proud of.

3. How do you incorporate creativity or games into your lessons to keep kids excited about learning?
I give children choices. Children love feeling like they're in control. Make them laugh. I’m not afraid to incorporate some laughter in my lessons.

4. What are some of the most rewarding moments you've experienced while teaching children?
Being able to work with students each day, explore new ideas, and have fun learning with and from them is a very rewarding experience. Each day brings new opportunities to build relationships, engage in learning in different and meaningful ways, and make an impact on the lives of others.

5. What’s one thing you’ve learned from your students that has surprised or inspired you?
The thing I like most about teaching is my students. I love interacting with them, I love learning from them, I love helping them understand the content of any course and I love when they see the connection between what they are learning and their lives.

6. What are your favorite hobbies, or what do you like to do when you are not teaching?
I love cooking, I love outdoor activities and traveling.

7. How do you help children build confidence in speaking a new language?
Give them opportunities to use vocabulary and phrases that they already know well. Check they understand questions and instructions.

8. What advice would you give to parents who want to support their child’s language learning journey at home?
Sing songs and recite nursery rhymes. Songs and nursery rhymes are also fun to expose your child to new vocabulary and language concepts. They can also be enjoyable for both of you! Choose songs and nursery rhymes that are repetitive and have simple lyrics. This will make them more accessible for your child to follow along and learn from.

If you’re a parent raising your child in a bilingual or multilingual household, you may have noticed a puzzling pattern: even though your child understands your native language perfectly well, they often respond in English. It’s a common and sometimes frustrating experience for many families. But rest assured—it’s not a sign of rejection, laziness, or disinterest. It’s a natural part of growing up bilingual in an English-dominant environment.

Here are some key reasons why heritage-speaking children tend to answer in English:

1. English Feels Easier
Children are immersed in English at school, with peers, on screens, and in books. Even if they understand your language, English quickly becomes their dominant and most comfortable language for output. Speaking requires confidence in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation—skills that are honed daily in English.

2. They Associate Languages with Contexts
To many children, languages serve different "functions." For example, English may feel like the “school and outside world” language, while the heritage language feels like the “home and family” language. Responding in English may feel more natural when discussing topics like school, TV shows, or social media, even if the conversation started in your native language.

3. They May Be Afraid Of Making Mistakes
Kids can be self-conscious, especially as they get older. If they feel unsure about how to correctly form a sentence in your language, they may prefer to stick to English where they feel more confident. This is especially true if they haven’t had formal instruction or consistent exposure in speaking and grammar.

4. Peer Pressure and the Desire to Fit In
Even the most culturally connected child wants to feel like they "belong." If their friends only speak English, it can reinforce the idea that English is the “cool” or “normal” language, while the heritage language feels “different.” They might internalize the idea that English is for “everyone” and the heritage language is only for family.

5. They Know You Understand English
Let’s be honest—kids are practical! If they know you understand English, they may not feel the need to make the extra effort to speak the heritage language. Why struggle to find a word in your native language when they know they’ll be understood in English?

What Can Parents Do?
The good news is that this isn’t a lost cause. Children who answer in English are still active bilinguals, and with encouragement and exposure, they can grow more confident using their heritage language.

Try these strategies
- Keep using your language with them, even if they answer in English.
- Encourage them gently to answer back in the heritage language—without shaming or correcting mid-sentence.
- Create authentic opportunities for speaking (playdates, classes, storytelling, travel, cultural events).

Celebrate their progress, even if it's small ("Great job using that word in Spanish!").

Enroll them in structured classes that focus on speaking and confidence-building.

Bottom line? If your child is answering in English, they’re not rejecting your language—they’re navigating two worlds. With time, support, and consistency, they can find pride and confidence in speaking both.

At Tribeca Language, we know that kids don’t just sit and learn—they move, laugh, sing, build, pretend, and play. That’s why our language programs are rooted in play-based learning. It’s not just more fun—it’s more effective.
Here are 10 reasons why play-based learning is the most powerful way for children to learn a new language:

1. Kids learn best when they’re having fun
 When children are enjoying themselves, their brains are more open to absorbing information. Play naturally lowers anxiety and increases motivation—two key ingredients for learning a language.

2. Play builds real communication skills
 From negotiating roles in a pretend grocery store to shouting out colors during a game of “Simon Says,” play encourages kids to use language in meaningful, real-life contexts—not just repeat vocabulary.

3. It boosts memory retention
 Songs, games, movement, and repetition lock in new vocabulary and structures in a memorable way. A child is much more likely to remember how to say “apple” after tossing a plush apple into a basket than by seeing it in a flashcard.

4. Play nurtures curiosity and confidence
 When kids explore freely, they ask questions and take risks. In a play-based class, mistakes aren’t scary—they’re part of the game. This builds the kind of fearless speaking that language learning thrives on.

5. It supports all types of learners
 Whether a child is visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, play-based activities naturally reach every learning style. Building with blocks, acting out stories, singing songs, or sorting objects—there’s something for everyone.

6. Repetition feels natural
 Repetition is key in language learning—but it can be boring. In play, repetition feels purposeful and fun. Kids will sing the same song or reenact the same story dozens of times—without even realizing they’re practicing.

7. It fosters social-emotional growth 
 Through pretend play and group games, kids practice taking turns, expressing feelings, solving problems, and cooperating—all in the target language. This emotional engagement deepens language learning.

8. Play creates real-world context
 Learning words in isolation doesn’t stick. But when a child learns the word “umbrella” while pretending it’s raining, or says “I’m hungry” in a pretend restaurant, the language is tied to context—and that makes it memorable.

9. It mirrors how children learn their first language 
 Just like how children learn their first language through everyday life and play, second (third or fourth...) language acquisition thrives when it mimics that natural, immersive process. It all in the intuitivity!

10. Play builds a positive association with the language
 Most importantly, play makes language learning joyful. When kids associate French, Spanish, or Mandarin with silliness, discovery, and laughter, they’re building a lifelong love for language.

Final Thought 
 At the end of the day, children aren’t just playing around—they’re building brain connections, cultural awareness, and communication skills that will last a lifetime. If you want your child to speak a new language—not just study it—play is the way.

1. Can you introduce A-List Education?
A-List is an education company focusing on test prep and college access. We work with students and families of all circumstances through online and in-person private tutoring as well as A-List instructor-led classrooms in schools, non-profits, and community-based organizations. I work with our Partners, Program Managers, and Educators making sure that our classes are efficient, entertaining, and successful.

2. What is your tutors’ selection and training process?
Our tutors are selected after a rigorous application process including phone interviews, a full-length SAT practice test, and a live demonstration where the Institutional staff members role-play by invoking the spirits of the students we serve. It’s a lot of fun, and it keeps the teachers on their toes from the start! Once an educator is hired, they undergo extensive training in content, strategies, and classroom management with some teaching philosophies peppered in along the way. They are asked to complete demos each week, and just like our students, they are assigned homework to complete after most lessons.

3. How are the classes structured? Do you use specific materials?
Our classes are structured for maximum student engagement and teacher freedom to tailor the lessons specifically for each class. We have lesson plans and a general guideline to follow for the entire course, but teachers are encouraged to linger or skip material depending on each class’s strengths and weaknesses. We have our own Book of Knowledge that each student receives, either in physical form or an ebook for our online classes. The Book of Knowledge comes complete with entertaining explanations, examples, and drills. Our teachers also have slides available to them so students have multiple visuals for each topic. We also provide three full length practice tests, with teacher review, to measure student improvement throughout the course.

4. How did you adapt to the pandemic-related challenges?
The pandemic caught our attention early on, and we rallied together as a team to create effective classes in the new normal. We provided our teachers with ongoing training on efficient management and engagement techniques for online sessions, implemented full courses through our Canvas LMS, and merged with Testive to provide our students with an online testing platform.

​5. How did A-List evolve with the pandemic constraints? Are there any lessons learned?
I think we learned a lot - mostly how we can move mountains when we work as a team. A-List has a shared goal amongst its employees: serving our students with maximum effort to set them up for success. We listened to the NYC DOE about student safety, moved our materials online for easier access, and increased our communication with students, parents, and admins providing extra support and availability to answer questions by staying informed.

6. How do you engage your students and keep them motivated?
Part of what makes A-List classes special are the Program Managers - they are an
additional level of support for not only our teachers, but also the students and for our partners in schools, nonprofits, and community-based organizations. The Program Managers are part of a highly caring, hard working team who are protective over their students and strive to ensure all-around success. The Program Managers and the teachers work together to hold students accountable and provide a lively, encouraging environment.

7. How do you ensure that students are getting the same level of support and practice from the online classes compared to in-person classes?
We fused the efforts of our US and UK team to set up our Canvas courses and eBook online so that students have access to the same materials they would in an in-person classroom. We provided ongoing, collaborative training for our teachers to help them provide a light, easy to attend classroom. Our Program Managers also visit each class more frequently to provide support, levity, and accountability.

8. How do you help your students with pre-exam anxiety?
Communication! We let students know that standardized tests are a fact of college
admissions and they play an important role; however, they are not the only factor in the admissions process. We also remind students that they can always take the test multiple times to try and relieve some pressure from them. I like to remind students of the effort they’ve put in throughout the course and their high school careers.

9. Do you include parents in the learning process of the students? If so, in which way?
That is actually one of our new initiatives this year! Historically, parents were brought in only if our Partners requested it. But while we are in a season of change, we feel there are only benefits to providing information and support for the parents of our students as well through frequent communication and potential workshops and online seminars.

10. What are the 5 words that best describe A-List Education?
Student-centered, Dedicated, Compassionate, Thorough, High-achieving

​11. What lies ahead for A-List Education?
We’re looking forward to warmer weather and reconnecting with our students in-person again soon!

Through the depths of high school classes, comes the decision to take an elective. Besides more job opportunities or a chance to travel outside the country, you will be embarking on the long journey that involves learning a language. My days at my high school French class required both stamina and the discipline of my other classes. However, I loved every moment from listening to the music of Edith Piaf to stumbling on my less than perfect French pronunciation. My experience has also equipped me with techniques on how to not only make learning a language easier, but also enjoyable. If you’re looking for some guidance, here are my tips on learning a second language.

Choose A Language Of Your Interest
Is there a language you are drawn to? Maybe you always had a love of Spanish music. Or perhaps you always liked reading manga. If you’re studying a language, you want to have an inkling on interest. You are investing a lot of your time as it is, so why not immerse yourself into the language of your choosing. It is beyond learning how to communicate; you are also diving into the culture.

Study Outside the Classroom
Although your teachers will instruct you to practice through homework, there is much more to it. If you would like to truly master the language, make it a priority to set aside practice. This can involve making flashcards to review on your commute, listening to audio recording of said language, etc. You want to make sure that you are incorporating exposure to either listening, speaking, or writing the language throughout the day.

Set Goals You Want Achieve
What do would you like to take away from the class/lesson? If you are a beginner, this may become clearer once you become familiar with language. Furthermore, as you advance there will specific goals you would like to achieve. Some of these could include better communication with family and/or friends, traveling to another country, or better opportunities in your desired job field. Once you become more fluent, the more motivation you’ll gain to achieve these goals.

Buy A Pocket Dictionary
I strongly recommend this step. Why? Lessons and/or classes will expose as much vocabulary as they can to you. But they can’t cover every word. There will be a time where you wish you knew a specific term for a topic or conversation in mind. Yes, we live in a time where Google exists. Nevertheless, the pocket dictionary will be 100% accurate without the worry of misinformation. (Plus, you can use it class).

Pick Up Conversation With Others
At first, this can intimidating. In my experience, I was shy about practicing my Italian in front of family members. Regardless, it is important to practice your conversational skills. It was not until I decided to assist Italian customers at my retail jobs and enforce me to use the language outside the classroom. This truly tested whether I can communicate in a foreign language. You might not be perfect, but the more you use it the better you will become!

Take Advantage of Language Learning Apps
Although our lessons can be a great source of learning, there are great online tools designed for language assessment. Using apps such as Duolingo and Memrise are not only convenient, but makes learning a lot more engaging. This can be an added supplement to your studies and aid in enhancing your vocabulary skills. In my personal use, it made speaking exercises enjoyable and less intimidating.

Watch Foreign Films & TV
We generally absorb information quicker through visual and auditory practice. Watching foreign films, TV shows, or listening to music in another language can assist you in learning language exceptionally well. Not only are you paying closer attention to dialogue, but you are simultaneously translating by reading English subtitles. The same applies to reading translated lyrics to a song. Time to use your scheduled K-dramas or Spanish soap operas to good use!

Stay Motivated!
The most important tip of all; stay motivated! Most students will say that taking a second language is both difficult and rewarding. Of course this is true. The transition to our regular English language to learning a whole new system of grammar and pronunciation can be alarming. Remember that is meant to challenge you, and the ability to speak whatever language you choose will outweigh all your fears. Use your online tools, practice outside class, and encourage yourself to speak. You may fumble on your words at first, but you can only get better!

If you are looking to pick up a foreign language, you will not regret it. Taking French in high school has allowed me to experience a culture other than my own. It helped me break out of my shell and try something new. Whether you decide to take a Spanish class or a lesson in Chinese, you will feel accomplished knowing you expanded your communication skills. Hopefully, these tips will aid in your journey ahead. Best of Luck!

In a world of modern languages, why choose Latin? Maybe you’re looking for a couple of reasons why it’s actually worth learning. Or perhaps you are wanting to reassure yourself of the advantages it could have for your son/daughter. Truth be told, studying Latin is beyond an intellectual boost. It can introduce different job opportunities, expand your English skills, and even your perspective on life. How can a language offer all of this? Well that’s the beauty of learning Latin. If you need further convincing, here are other reasons why your teen should pick up Latin ASAP.

It Aids In Learning Other Languages
One major component to learning Latin is familiarity to a “root language.” In other words, it is the foundation for many of the modern languages we speak today. More specifically, the romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian. All of these languages include more than 80% of words taken from Latin! Aside from vocabulary, it will be much easier for your child to understand grammar structure and noun agreements.

A Better Understanding of the English Language
Aside from Romance languages, Latin can strengthen skills in English. It will help your son/daughter develop a sense of vocabulary, and what these words are composed of. How can this help your him/her understand English exactly? By understanding word structure, he/she will have better grammar skills compared to those who may have not picked up Latin. According to research, learning one Latin root is contained in over 100 English words. Your child will master vocabulary not only efficiently but effectively.

An Upper Hand in the Medical Field
If your son/daughter has aspirations to become a doctor, learning Latin will be a huge bonus. How so? Much of the terminology that is used amongst medical professionals is derived almost entirely from Latin. It was actually required at one time for medical students in the UK to learn Latin because how beneficial it could be. Not only will they become familiar with the terms, but also with the origins of medicine and physiology. A 2007 study found that medical students who learned Latin were able have a better experience in the field. Why dismiss a language that can help your teenager immerse him/herself in into field?

Learn About Modern Sciences
Is your teenager not interested in medicine? Learning Latin can aid in studying modern sciences such as sociology, chemistry, psychology, biology, and economics. In fact, all modern science use vocabulary composed of Latin roots. It isn’t exclusive to the medical field! For example, biology terms such as “fungus” and “bacterium” are singular words that often mistaken for being plural. A student who studies Latin can easily understand that the plural form is actually “fungi” and bacteria” by learning about root endings. By understanding the material, it will help make the studying process for your teenager a lot more easier!

An Insight To A Career In Computer Science
Did you know that the word “computer” comes from Latin? It is taken from “computo” which means to add or sum up. Learning Latin is similar to the assessment process in computer science. Latin is a language that has a similar process to learning codes on a computer. Both require to identify patterns and create a system of “codes.” Teens will have no problem breaking down a number system, if they already applied that same knowledge into Latin.

Get To Learn About Law and Government
What if your teen isn’t interested in the sciences? Latin is still present in many other careers such as government, law, and theology. The foundation of modern day politics and law come from both Greek and Latin history. So if your teenager exhibits any ambition into enrolling in a political science major, this can be a vital skill. Latin is actually known as the “language of law.” In fact, have you ever noticed legal terms that are used today came from this language? Some of these terms include habeas corpus, veto, subpoena, capitol, etc.

Gaining Insight in Ancient History
As your teenager goes to college, they are bound to take classes of ancient history. Learning Latin can actually help initiate the subject at a more easier and enjoyable level. Students can understand where Latin stems from, while also studying terminology that has to do with science, medicine, philosophy, and theology. Not only will it help with their classes in school, but also expose them to a variety of different subjects. It could spark an interest for their future career!

Preforming Better Academically
Are you looking to improve your teen’s SAT scores? Learning Latin can actually help improve both their literacy and math scores. It begins with his/her understanding of vocabulary, as we discussed previously. This helps a student grasp reading passages successfully, while expanding their skills to figure out words they might have known. Thus, helping them develop their logic skills. Math subjects such as Algebra, requires the same logical thinking one uses with Latin assessment.

Expanding the Mind Beyond Academics
Although Latin can bring education and job benefits, it extends beyond that. It can help develop one’s mind logically. Latin is said to be a mental workout, or training to think differently. The language itself is a system that follows strict rules of grammar, word structure, attention to this detail. A word in Latin can have multiple meanings. It is more than learning vocabulary, but applying a whole new way of using, speaking, and assessing the language. This can establish your teen to a sense of discipline.

If you’re considering to introduce language to your child, why not recommend Latin? At first, it may seem like an intimidating decision, but it reigns plenty of benefits. Your teenager will appreciate taking a language that can guide them through their vocational field. There are countless reasons why this can be favorable. Or, you can enroll your younger children in a class that can grow their love for this language. Why not consider a language that is an open doorway to both success and opportunity?