← All articles · Practice at Home · 22 October 2026 · 6 min read

How to Help Your Child Learn English When You Don't Speak English

You don't need to speak English to help your child learn it. Simple things any parent can do every day, in any language.

You can help, a lot

Many parents worry that they can't help because their own English is weak, or they don't speak any. But children don't need you to teach English. They need you to make English a normal, happy part of the week. That you can do in any language.

Things any parent can do

• Make a routine: the same days, the same place, ready a few minutes before the lesson.
• Ask about the lesson in your own language: "What did you learn? Show me!"
• Let your child be the teacher: ask them how to say "cat" or "apple" in English.
• Play the lesson songs and stories again; you can sing along even without knowing the words.
• Praise effort: "You tried so hard!" works in every language.
• Keep your own language strong at home; it helps English.

Practice that needs no English from you

• Picture games: point to things and let your child name them.
• Colour and count: "Show me something red", "Count the spoons", with your child answering in English.
• Listen together: songs and stories with a recorded voice, so you don't have to pronounce anything.

Don't

• Don't correct pronunciation if you are not sure; leave that to the teacher.
• Don't make English a punishment or a long test.
• Don't compare your child with other children.

How Little Fluent helps parents

After each lesson, your child can practise at home: the story again with Speako reading and the words lighting up, the unit's sounds and letters, and short games, all with a recorded voice, so you don't need to speak English. The family page shows what was taught, and you can tick practice done away from the screen. The family page is in 15 languages.