Parent Resources

How can you help your child learn a language you do not know?

Try these simple steps:

• Ask your child what they learned in language class the day of the class and have them teach you their favorite new game, expression, or song. Repeat the new language material the next day and throughout the week at a specific time of day (such as dinner time).

• Learn simple terms such as “Hello,” “How are you?” “Thank you,” and “Please,” and speak them to your child on a daily basis.

• Together with your child, engage in these general and language-specific online resources.

Additional ways to support your learner:

• As often as possible listen to music, radio, and podcasts from the region where the language your child’s is spoken. You can also suggest that your child watch videos and TV shows in the language (either with subtitles or dubbing).

• Ask your child’s teachers or research online for recipes to cook dishes popular in the region of your language. Set up a day when the whole family will cook and taste the new dish together.

• Research IU and local community program pages to find cultural events related to your child’s language.

Link to online language learning resources: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SvJ1hH7YEm_JzNpFfmrChr--kk-9IuD9VOM9FWF1OOw/edit?usp=sharing