How to Get the Most from Travelling Abroad with Your Children
Spring is here, and many parents are making plans to travel abroad. They of course have many things on their minds, but packing lists and passports aside, it is important to consider travel as an important and inspiring part of your child's language learning. Here are a few things to think about as you plan.
An important consideration is, of course, the destination, but don't think that you are by any means limited by the language your child is learning. While it's clearly quite helpful to take your child to a country where their new language is spoken, do know that your child will benefit enormously from any and all exposure to the immersive experience of a foreign land. The chance to introduce your child to such a richly different environment for perhaps the first time is a powerful opportunity to open your child's eyes to the reality of a wider world of language, of a world beyond "just English."
A Few Ideas for the Planning Stage
A simple and very effective way you can maximise your child's engagement with the culture of the country you are visiting is to go to a local library or bookstore and look for books, CDs and even DVDs to explore with your child, introducing her to the customs, culture and people she will find when you arrive. Read some of the most popular children's stories, legends and folk tales and listen to some music native to the country. And if you feel inspired, prepare a meal of all local dishes. Above all, encourage your child to imagine the sights you'll be seeing—this will make them feel more comfortable when the time comes, giving them the confidence to explore and ask questions.
And although it might seem obvious, don't forget to take pictures! Consider bringing a disposable camera for your child to play with, and even some drawing paper and crayons so your child can bring back their own images of the country. Many families also enjoy keeping a journal of what they did and saw that they can refer to when they return home.
Be Active!
A curious and inquisitive attitude toward the country's language and culture will make your child feel more comfortable in a new setting and will encourage them to imitate you and look about more themselves. Even if your destination is very familiar to you, let your child observe your interest in its history, its culture and its people. Speak to people you meet and engage fully with the country's details—its street signs, its architecture, its clothing fashions, its food. Go to parks. Go to markets. See if you can leave the beaten path once in awhile and eat in local restaurants not frequented by tourists. Try to use the language as much as you feel comfortable doing. All of these things will make the country—and the language—alive for your child, even if most of your family's communications are in English.
Make the Familiar New
A very effective way to ensure that your child's experiences abroad are both comfortable and memorable is to draw connections between everyday activities and items that you do and have at home and those you do and find abroad. Pointing out your child's familiarity with these things will also greatly facilitate reviewing the things your child learns when you return home. Playing up the continuity also enables your child to see the similarities in people and things across cultures while focussing on the differences in language—your child will more intuitively grasp these differences when she's comparing 'apples' to 'pommes' or 'oranges' to 'naranjas,' and even more if she can find them in a foreign market.
Also remember to introduce and use common greetings, how to ask for something politely, colours, numbers and foods—all things you will find ample opportunities to use in conversation. Other phrases like 'what is,' 'may I have,' 'how much is,' plus the time of day, counting out the number of things, the daily weather, day of the week, etc. will also easily find practical and common applications and will help your child's enjoyment and her sense of power using language grow by leaps and bounds.
A Trip to the Zoo
If you find your family in the mood for something exotic, look up a local zoo. Children love animals—especially zoo animals—and a trip there can hold their interest for hours. A zoo also provides your child a fantastic opportunity to learn and practise some new vocabulary in a child-friendly situation. Point out the names of the animals to your child and read the signs as well as you can. A visit to the zoo is sure to be an experience your family will always remember.
Travelling to a foreign country may be a pivotal experience for your child's growth and education. They will learn first-hand how real their new language is, and how vast and enchanting it can be. And with every word that comes alive to your child—each word she hears in regular, everyday speech—your child's confidence and self-assurance will grow, spurring her on to greater learning and, perhaps, more travel!
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