“My child gets full marks in English at school, but if we travel or meet someone who speaks English… he shuts up and can’t form a sentence!”
This puzzling problem affects 90% of students. They study English for 12 years in school, memorize words and grammar, yet their speaking skills remain very weak.
The reason is simple: we treat English like a subject to memorize (like history), while in reality, it’s a skill (like swimming or driving).
You can’t learn swimming by reading a book—you need to get in the pool, sink, float, and practice. The same goes for language; your child can’t speak fluently if they are afraid of making mistakes.
At Talead Academy, our approach to language learning is different. Here are practical steps to turn English at home from a “challenge” into a “fun skill”:
1. The secret is in the “ear”… before the tongue
How does a child learn their native language? By listening—over and over—and after a couple of years, they start speaking.
It’s impossible to ask your child to speak English if they hardly hear it!
Solution: Turn their environment into a listening-rich environment.
- Let them watch cartoons or foreign YouTubers (without Arabic subtitles).
- Play simple story podcasts while commuting to school.
Once their ear gets used to the rhythm and tone of the language, their tongue will automatically start mimicking it, improving their accent surprisingly fast.
2. Forget “Grammar”… for now
The biggest barrier to speaking is grammar fear.
When a student tries to speak, their mind freezes: “Should I say ‘go’ or ‘went’? Is this past or present?” Too much thinking = silence.
Teach your child a golden rule: “What matters is that the meaning gets across, not perfect grammar.”
Even native speakers make grammar mistakes in daily conversations. Encourage them to speak “broken” English at first; with practice, grammar naturally improves.
3. Turn English into a lifestyle
Language dies if it’s limited to classroom hours.
- Change their phone language to English.
- Play video games that require communication with other players (supervised).
- Dedicate an “English hour” at home where everyone speaks only English—even with gestures and laughter—the key is practice.
4. Talk to yourself… it’s not crazy!
One of the best ways to overcome fear is self-conversation.
- Have them stand in front of a mirror and talk about their day in English.
- Or record themselves and listen back.
This helps them notice mistakes, trains their tongue, and builds confidence gradually.
