How to support a child who is going to school in a language you do not speak

Supporting your child while they are studying in a language you do not speak can definitely be challenging. For example, as a parent, you may have trouble communicating with the school or struggle to help your child learn.

If your child goes to school in a language other than the one you speak at home, one of your main challenges might be communicating with the school. One way to deal with this is by seeking out the services of a translator in the following ways:

• Finding another parent who is fluent in both languages
• Getting help from a community organization

You can also use an application designed to foster school-family communication. For example, ClassDojo has a translation feature that lets parents translate messages into the language of their choice. Tools such as these let parents and teachers communicate in their respective languages, no matter what language the other party speaks.

In this situation, when your child needs help with their schoolwork, you can start by asking them to explain what they understand. By putting things into their own words, your child will be able to consolidate their understanding of what they have learned so far. Realizing that they already understand certain concepts will also give their self-confidence a boost.
If you understand what your child is learning, you can try to help them by discussing the concepts being taught in your shared language. These discussions can also create opportunities to make your child notice how these concepts are applied in everyday life.
If needed, you can also get support or free tutoring from the following people and resources:

• Your child’s classmates
• Other members of your household
• Relatives
• Online resources such as Alloprof
• Community organizations that support students in these types of situations. Some organizations focus on helping children with what they are learning in school, while others focus on helping parents learn their child’s language of instruction or understand certain concepts.

Of course, supporting your child with their studies is not limited to communicating with their school or helping them with what they are learning. Regardless of your child’s language of instruction, supporting them can also mean:

Helping them develop effective working methods

• This makes it easier for your child to:
  • Choose a suitable location to study and do homework
  • Avoid getting distracted while they work
  • Gather the material they need before they get to work
  • Organize their schedule
  • Summarize what they understand

Affirming the importance of education

• Regardless of your child’s language of instruction, affirming the importance of their education on a daily basis will have a positive influence on how motivated and engaged they are at school. To achieve this, make sure to do the following:
  • Speak positively about school
  • Encourage your child to be engaged and practice perseverance
  • Recognize their progress and successes 
  • Provide them with encouragement and support when they face challenges

Being present at school

• There are a number of roles you can play at your child’s school that do not require you to master the language of instruction. For example, you can:
  • Act as a chaperone during your child’s field trips
  • Volunteer to repair damaged sports equipment or books
  • Help clean the schoolyard or decorate the school
  • Help organize a fundraising event

Talking to your child

• In your shared language, make a point of discussing your child’s interests and their options at school, whether that involves choosing courses or extracurricular activities. These discussions will help your child get to know themself better and figure out what they like, which can help them imagine their future and work towards their goals. For a child, having objectives and knowing what they want to study are important motivators that parents can support them with, no matter what the language of instruction is.