Experts often claim that online learning is not suitable for children, especially when you ask them to learn a language like English. As far as experts are concerned, not every child will be willing to accept the at-home learning environment as the ideal type.
That is mostly true for those kids who have experienced in-person classes before the pandemic hit. However, it now seems that COVID will never go away. Online learning will have to go on in some form or another, at least for a brief period every year.
So what do you do then? Do you completely abandon your kids’ online English classes? Of course not. You improvise.
Why not create a school or classroom-like environment for your kids at home? By doing that, you can create a similar environment for your kids like they get in their schools, and can see how it impacts their learning. And since we were already talking about online English classes, let us explore how you can create an environment to make these classes more fruitful.
Install an Enhanced Multimedia System
Since you want to establish a classroom-like environment at home, giving your child a laptop or tablet to do their online English classes will not suffice. To make the learning more effective, consider installing an enhanced multimedia system.
Fix a 32 to 40-inch TV on the classroom wall, along with a speaker system distributed throughout the room. Your kids can then stream the live classes on the big screen. Not only is it much more fun and entertaining, but it will help retain their attention. They will be more focused and immersed in their lessons, which would not be possible if they had to simply stare at a phone or tablet screen.
Bring in a Few School Desks and Chairs
For bringing home the complete classroom vibe, you will have to bring in some school furniture home. These mostly include school desks and chairs. You would also want to have a teacher’s desk for yourself, not for teaching, but to oversee how things are going on.
Schools mostly buy their furniture in bulk, which is why they can afford it at a cheap price. However, there are stores where you can afford such furniture at reasonable prices without buying in bulk. School Fix is one such store where you will find high-quality classroom desks and chairs.
They have a wide selection of chairs and tables to choose from. They vary in style, size, and price. Thus, you will have a good chance of finding whatever it is that you are looking for by browsing the School Fix catalog.
Hang a Small Pinboard to Highlight Your Kids’ Work
English classes will require your kids to do plenty of homework. These can be anything from filling worksheets to writing stories and essays. Much of these home assignments will require them to get creative at times. And to boost their confidence a little, you can always hang the best of their works on a small pinboard.
School kids love seeing their work get recognition. So when they see that you are showcasing their worksheets and assignments on the pinboard, they will receive encouragement. They will get a good push and will want to continue improving their skills so that they can get featured on the pinboard again.
Once again, you can head over to the School Fix catalog to check out their pinboard or bulletin boards. Expect to spend $50 to $75 for a small bulletin board, which will be ideal for a small makeshift classroom.
Invite Your Child’s Friends to Learn English Together
The best way to effectively learn a language is by studying and practicing it in groups. Group learning has plenty of benefits. Firstly, it promotes interactive learning. Since everyone has to participate and interact with the instructor while learning the language, the learning approach proves to be more effective.
Secondly, it promotes active class participation. Whereas learning alone can get monotonous, group learning helps kids to express themselves. Even those who do not feel like talking much during the class will be encouraged to speak up at times.
Finally, group learning promotes healthy competition. Watching the others participate and do good in their lessons will motivate the rest of the kids in the class. In such circumstances, they will always be eager to do better than others.
Thus, it will only help the learning environment feel more genuine if you can have a few of your kids’ friends join. All of them will do the classes online but will attend them from the makeshift classroom at your house.
So there you go. These are all the things you can do to create a classroom-like atmosphere at your house. Thus, even when your kids are doing English classes online, they will still feel as if they were in a real classroom.
Here are a couple more useful links for kids:
Creating a classroom environment at home can help your kids feel more engaged and motivated in their learning. Here are some additional tips for creating a conducive learning environment in the home:
1. Designate a dedicated learning space: Create a space in your home where your kids can focus on their studies without distractions. This could be a corner of a room or a separate room altogether.
2. Provide necessary learning materials: Ensure your kids have all the necessary learning materials they need, such as textbooks, workbooks, and stationary. This can help them stay organized and focused.
3. Establish a routine: Set a regular routine for learning, including specific times for studying, breaks, and mealtimes. This can help your kids stay on track and develop good study habits.
4. Use technology to your advantage: Technology can be a useful tool for learning. Consider using educational apps, online resources, and interactive learning tools to supplement your child’s learning.
5. Encourage active participation: Encourage your kids to actively participate in their learning by asking questions, making connections, and sharing their thoughts and ideas.
6. Celebrate progress: Celebrate your child’s progress and achievements to help them feel motivated and encouraged to continue learning.
By creating a classroom environment at home, you can help your kids feel more engaged and motivated in their learning, which can lead to better academic outcomes.