English in elementary school

English is now taught in elementary school all over Germany, although the exact implementation is handled differently in the individual federal states. In some federal states, such as Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt and Bremen, elementary school students only learn the foreign language from the third grade, while in elementary schools such as in North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, English is already taught in the first grade. The elementary school students usually have two hours of English lessons per week.

Isn’t English too early in elementary school?

Many parents worry that learning English in primary school is too early for their children. After all, the elementary school students first have to learn to write and read in German. Perhaps you too are afraid that the foreign language will confuse your child’s learning or overwhelm it. But don’t worry, most of the time the students have no problems learning English in primary school.

Up to the age of ten, children generally find it easier to learn a foreign language. You are curious, deal with a new language with ease and enjoy repeating what you have heard. Language acquisition at such a young age tends to be unconscious and effortless. In addition, English classes at the primary school are developmentally tailored and taught by qualified teachers.

How is English taught in primary school?

In primary school, English is taught much more playfully than in secondary schools. The primary aim is to encourage the children’s interest in and enjoyment of the English language and to learn and try out elementary language skills. In this way, your child first learns names and individual words before later working with smaller texts. Grammar or spelling exercises in English are not yet the focus in elementary school. It’s less about rules and more about the casual approach to the language.

On the one hand, listening comprehension is trained in the lessons, with the teacher speaking English and underlining what has been said with facial expressions and gestures or showing pictures. On the other hand, the students learn to use the language actively by singing English songs together or in small dialogues and role-playing games.

English in primary school – How to support your child

Your child can not only learn English in primary school, but also in a playful way at home. Whether watching TV, playing computer games or listening to music, we encounter English almost everywhere today. Try to pay attention to English words that you come across in everyday life with your child. Ask your child if they already know the meaning and explain it if necessary.

You can also include some English words or simple phrases when conversing with your child. For example, you can greet your child with “Hello, how are you?” greet them or say goodbye to them. In this way, your child also learns English outside of primary school and is further familiarized with the language.

In addition, as in any other subject, you should support your child with their English homework if they have questions or difficulties and provide a quiet workplace to do their homework .