How to Motivate Your Child to Learn English

"Mom, do I really have to go to English class?" – I hear this question from parents in Nuremberg again and again. Not every child is enthusiastic about learning English from the start. But that's completely normal!

After over 10 years of experience with English courses for children in Nuremberg, I've learned: Motivation is the key to success. A motivated child learns faster, easier, and with more joy. But how do you awaken this motivation?

Why is motivation so important?

Imagine you had to do something boring every day. How long would you last? It's the same with children. Without motivation, learning English becomes torture – for the child AND for you as parents.

Motivated children, on the other hand:

• Learn 3x faster than unmotivated children
• Retain what they've learned significantly longer
• Develop a positive attitude toward learning in general
• Have less exam anxiety at school

15 practical tips from my experience in Nuremberg

1. Find out what your child loves

Does your child like soccer? Dinosaurs? Princesses? Minecraft? Use these interests! In my English courses in Nuremberg, I adapt the lessons to the children. If a child loves dinosaurs, we learn English with dinosaur stories.

2. Make English an adventure, not a duty

Don't say: "You have to practice English now." Say: "Do you want to play an English game together?" The difference is huge!

3. Celebrate small successes

Did your child learn a new English word? Celebrate it! Not with big gifts, but with genuine enthusiasm: "Wow, you can now say 'butterfly'! That's great!"

In my English courses in Nuremberg, I give out "Star Stickers" for great achievements. Not for perfection, but for effort and progress. The children love it!

4. Integrate English into everyday life

English doesn't have to only happen in class or during homework. Make it normal:

• Count in English when climbing stairs
• Name groceries while shopping: "Look, red apples!"
• Sing English songs in the car
• Watch English children's shows (with German subtitles at first)

5. Use technology cleverly

Children in Nuremberg (and everywhere!) love tablets and phones. Use that! There are fantastic apps for learning English:

• Duolingo Kids: Learn vocabulary playfully
• YouTube Kids: English children's songs and stories
• BBC Learning English: Great videos and games

BUT: Set clear time limits. 15-20 minutes a day is plenty!

6. Be enthusiastic yourself

Children mirror our attitude. If you talk about English with stress ("Oh no, English homework again!"), your child will see it that way too.

Be positive instead: "Cool, what are you learning in English today? Can you teach me that?"

7. Let your child become the teacher

Children LOVE to teach! Ask your child to teach you English. "How do you say 'cat' in English? Can you show me?"

This gives your child a feeling of competence and pride – extremely motivating!

8. Set realistic goals

Don't expect your child to speak fluent English after 3 months. Set small, achievable goals:

• "This week we're learning 5 colors in English"
• "By the end of the month, you can introduce yourself in English"
• "After half a year, you understand English children's songs"

9. Avoid pressure and comparisons

NEVER say: "Emma's daughter speaks much better English than you!" That only demotivates. Every child learns at their own pace.

Compare your child only with themselves: "Three months ago you couldn't do this. Look how much you've learned!"

10. Reward effort, not just results

Did your child really try hard, even if the result isn't perfect yet? Praise the effort! "I can see you really tried hard today. I'm proud of you!"

11. Create English rituals

Children love routines. Create fixed English moments:

• English Friday: Once a week, speak only English at dinner (as well as you can!)
• Bedtime story: Read an English story in the evening
• English song in the car: Whenever you get in the car, play an English song

12. Enroll your child in a good course

As an English teacher in Nuremberg, I'm obviously biased, but: A good course makes a huge difference!

Look for:

• Small groups (max. 6-8 children)
• Playful teaching (especially for younger children)
• Experienced, patient teacher
• Positive atmosphere without performance pressure

If your child has fun in class, they'll automatically be more motivated!

13. Use English media

The good news: Children in Nuremberg (and all of Germany) are surrounded by English media! Use it:

• Movies: Disney, Pixar – all available in English
• Series: "Peppa Pig", "Paw Patrol", "Bluey" – perfect for beginners
• Music: Many children's songs are in English
• Books: Picture books with simple English texts

14. Organize playdates with English-speaking children

There are many international families in Nuremberg. Perhaps you can connect with English-speaking children? Playing is the best motivation!

15. Be patient

This is perhaps the most important tip: Give your child time. Some children need months before they dare to speak English. That's completely normal!

Don't put pressure on your child. Trust the process. In my English courses in Nuremberg, I've experienced it countless times: The child who only listened for months suddenly starts speaking – and then it goes very quickly!

What to do if nothing helps?

Sometimes parents try everything, but the child remains unmotivated. My experience from Nuremberg:

1. Talk to your child: What exactly don't they like? The teacher? The group? The tasks?
2. Take a break: Sometimes it helps to pause for a few weeks.
3. Change the course: Maybe a different course fits better?
4. Get help: Talk to the teacher or a pedagogue.

My personal conclusion

After 10 years of teaching English to children in Nuremberg, I can say: Every child can be motivated! It just takes the right approach, patience, and sometimes creativity.

The most important rule: Make English something positive. No pressure, no punishment, no comparisons. Just fun, success, and encouragement.

If your child is learning English in Nuremberg – whether in my course or elsewhere – I want them to learn with joy. Because only then will they truly master the language and benefit from it for a lifetime.