How to Help Your Child Speak French or English Naturally (Even as a Beginner)

Do you know how we do it at Kidioma so that children can express themselves in French or English with other kids?

We use a methodology in which children learn everyday vocabulary and “keys words” that allow them to quickly create simple sentences and communicate naturally.

This combination is practiced through varied activities that stimulate all their senses. Memorization works much better when the child uses what they have learned in different contexts (with songs, movement, reflection, speaking, touch, observation…) and when these experiences are repeated over time.

That is why our methodology is structured so that children memorize both vocabulary and key words needed to speak. By the end of the year, they are able to interact with other children, understand what they are told, and respond confidently.

Because yes, learning to communicate simply requires self-confidence, and that is exactly what we foster through our small groups, where each child can express themselves without fear… and have fun at the same time.

Key words: small language tools to build sentences

Key words are small language elements that allow building sentences and connecting ideas. They are not nouns or adjectives but words constantly used to communicate: personal pronouns, simple verbs (querer, ser, tener, gustar, poder, hacer, ir), simple adjectives (colors, descriptions like big, small, pretty…), negation and courtesy words, gender, and plural.

When children learn these basic structures, they can use the vocabulary they already know to create complete sentences from the first months at Kidioma:

• “Je m’appelle Hugo.” / "My name is Hugo"

• “J’ai 6 ans.” / "I'm 6 years old"

• “J’aime les chiens.” / "I like dogs"

• "Ma couleur préférée est le rouge" / "My favorite color is red"

• "J'ai un frère et une soeur" / "I have a sister and a brother"

• “Et toi ?” / "What about you?"

At Kidioma, these words are naturally repeated throughout the year, integrated into songs, games, stories, and simple conversations, in both English and French. In this way, children learn them effortlessly and gradually speak fluently and confidently.

A logical progression to learn to speak

At Kidioma, workshops follow a coherent and age-appropriate progression. Children first learn to introduce themselves and describe their immediate world, and each new theme expands their ability to express themselves:

• 👋 Introduce themselves: name, age, city

• 🎨 Colors, emotions, weather and seasons

• 🏫 School supplies, everyday life (days of the week, school or home…)

• 🐶 Animals, clothes, basic foods

• 🚗 Transport, extracurricular activities, preferences

Each theme comes back several times during the year, with different games and dynamics mixing new and known vocabulary. This way, children reinforce their memory and gain fluency effortlessly.

Learning in varied contexts: the key to memorization

A word or structure is truly fixed when used in different contexts. At Kidioma, we work with varied activities mixing movement, music, observation, and oral expression:

• A color bingo becomes a speaking activity

• An animal workshop becomes a role-playing game

• A food activity helps talk about preferences

• A transport game includes numbers

Each repetition makes sense because language is experienced, not memorized.

Repeat, play, and live the language

At Kidioma, children learn by speaking, acting, listening, and playing:

• Role-playing and everyday situations (“Tu veux jouer ?” / “I like pizza!”)

• Songs and stories that stimulate auditory memory

• Short filmed dialogues or mini plays

Children learn to express themselves in English and French confidently, without fear of making mistakes. Each word is linked to a real experience, making learning deeper and longer-lasting.

A multisensory and joyful approach

Each Kidioma workshop engages all the senses: children move, manipulate, listen, observe, repeat, and create. This multisensory approach, inspired by Montessori pedagogy, allows each child to learn at their own pace while enjoying the process.

And above all, it focuses on oral expression, because it is by speaking that one learns to speak.

In summary: speaking English or French is possible!

With a structured, playful, and multisensory methodology, even the youngest can learn to have small conversations in French or English, for example:

• “Je m’appelle Sofia, j’ai 5 ans, j’aime les fraises et je vais à l’école en bus.”

• “My name is Sofia, I’m five, I like strawberries, and I go to school by bus.”

At Kidioma, each word learned becomes a tool to communicate, share, and enjoy learning.