In an increasingly globalized world, mastering English has become an essential skill for our children’s future. English is not only the language of business, science and technology, but also opens doors to international academic and job opportunities. It is the official language of 67 countries.
With the rise of technology and online education , learning English online is an increasingly accessible and convenient option for children and teenagers. However, it is crucial to understand and consider that not all online English programs are the same. Choosing the right center, with qualified professionals and effective methods, can make a big difference in your child’s learning.
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Benefits of learning English online
Flexibility and adaptability: One of the main advantages of online learning is the flexibility it offers in terms of scheduling and location. For children and teenagers, who often have very busy schedules between school and extracurricular activities, accessing English classes from home and at times that best fit their routine is a great benefit. In addition, online classes are often adapted to the pace and needs of each student, allowing for personalized learning that responds to the individual needs of each child.
2. Development of autonomy and responsibility: Studying online encourages children and adolescents to develop self-discipline and responsibility. By having to manage their time and commit to their learning more independently, they develop these two important skills.
Innovative learning methods: Online learning has a wide range of interactive and multimedia resources that make studying English more dynamic and fun. From educational games to videos and simulations, these tools capture the interest of children and teenagers, facilitating the retention of information and improving their motivation to learn. However, to access these methods, it is essential to choose the right center and that the tools are backed by a solid pedagogical structure and expert language teachers.
4. Personalization of learning: Online learning allows each student to progress at his or her own pace, which is especially beneficial for those who may need more time in certain areas or who excel and need additional challenge. Programs that offer adaptive lessons ensure that each student receives the right attention for his or her specific needs, which maximizes learning effectiveness.
5. Access to quality teachers and resources: By learning English online, your children can have access to high quality teachers and educational materials, regardless of where they live. This is especially important in areas where face-to-face teaching options may be limited. However, it is vital that parents research and choose platforms that offer a superior level of education and have a team of qualified teachers to ensure the best possible learning.
6. Active participation: Online English classes encourage active participation. Often, in face-to-face classes, some students tend to go unnoticed or remain in the background. However, in online classes, the dynamic changes, as many virtual teaching platforms and methods are designed to promote constant interaction between teacher and student, so that they feel more supported and encouraged to participate more, which is essential for effective language learning.
Approaches and resources for learning English online
For online learning to be truly effective, it is crucial that well-designed and tested approaches are used. Here are some of the most effective ones:
Game-based learning: The use of interactive games is a key strategy for teaching English to children and adolescents. Games not only make learning more engaging, but also promote repetition and practice, which are essential for acquiring a new language. Look for programs that include educational games specifically designed to teach vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation in a fun way.
2. Live classes with expert teachers: Live classes allow you to interact directly with qualified teachers, which is crucial for practicing conversational skills and receiving real-time feedback. Make sure the platforms you choose offer the option of live classes with experienced teachers.
3. Educational videos and multimedia content: Videos are an excellent tool for teaching English, as they allow children and teenagers to see and hear the language in action. The best programs offer educational videos with teachers who teach in a clear and understandable way, complemented by interactive exercises that reinforce what they have learned. The videos allow students to progress at their own pace, repeating the lessons as many times as necessary for a complete understanding.
4. Augmented reality and virtual environments: Some platforms are beginning to use augmented reality and virtual environments to create immersive learning experiences. These technologies allow children to immerse themselves in real situations where they can practice English in specific contexts, interacting with characters and solving problems. This approach is not only highly engaging, but also reinforces learning in a natural and effective way.
Effective methods to learn English online
Choosing a good learning center and qualified professionals can make the difference between superficial learning and true language acquisition. It is not just a matter of having access to the internet and a device; the quality of the content, the methodology used and the experience of the teachers are determining factors in the success of the learning process.
So when choosing an online English course for your children, be sure to select a program that combines innovative technology with a solid pedagogical foundation, backed by professionals who are experts in teaching English to children.
The Funny Friends School Method
One of the most outstanding methods for its playful and effective approach, which combines most of the resources mentioned above, is that of Funny Friends School, a school founded by Patricia Mendez Lara, a passionate English teacher who has dedicated her life to making learning English both fun and effective.
Patricia always had a clear mission: to connect children to the English language in a way that was natural and fun, but without sacrificing the teaching of fundamentals such as grammar. Over the years, given the limitations of traditional English teaching methods, she began to develop a new approach.
He created more than 200 animated videos that explain grammatical structures in a visually appealing and accessible way. These videos are complemented by workbooks that are not simple repetitive tasks, but interactive guides that children can follow along with the videos. Thus was born Funny Friends School and its innovative method, designed specifically to capture the interest of children and teenagers, while providing them with a solid foundation in the language.
The power of learning through play
Funny Friends School is based on the idea that children learn best when they are having fun. Through starring stories and games, they acquire vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation skills without realizing they are studying. This approach helps keep young learners’ attention and ensures that learning is a positive experience.
Use of videos
The Funny Friends School method also stands out for its use of educational videos and chroma key technology, creating attractive visual scenarios that reinforce learning. Children can see how the characters perform in different situations, which facilitates comprehension and retention of English in everyday contexts.
Courses, video-books and intensives adapted to each child
Try the Funny Friends method free for one month! Two free sessions per week, with an initial and a final test, so you can see the progress of your children. Hurry and book, places are limited!
More info from 6 to 12 years old
More info from 13 to 18 years old
Courses for children from 6-12 years old
For the little ones, Funny Friends School makes sure that each lesson is filled with English, crafts, stories and games. The courses are designed in small groups of 4 to 5 students, so that they learn without stress, with a focus on connecting with the language.
In addition, the school sends each student quarterly boxes, each containing carefully selected materials to complement the online classes, from official books, to sticker journals, craft materials, experiments and stories, ensuring that learning takes place effectively. Enroll your children or find out more about our online courses.
Courses for teenagers from 13-18 years old
For teenagers, Funny Friends School offers a more intensive approach, especially for those preparing for official exams such as Cambridge. Here, the emphasis is on developing near-native proficiency in English, through a program that combines live classes, unlimited access to course materials and constant feedback. Students can opt for intensive or intermediate programs, depending on their needs and objectives. Reserve your place and find all the info you need to know.
Video notebooks
The best complement for learning at home, Funny Friends School has created the first video workbooks, a revolutionary tool that combines workbooks with interactive videos. They allow children to practice English at home autonomously, without the need for an adult to constantly assist them, but with support. Through gamified and visual experiences, they retain better what they are learning, improving their oral and written comprehension in a short period of time. Each notebook is equivalent to a school year, discover them .
Advantages of the Funny Friends School method
Constant motivation: Funny Friends School’s playful and visual approach ensures that children and teenagers stay motivated during the learning process, which is key to language acquisition.
Improved pronunciation and fluency: Thanks to constant practice through videos and interactive games, students develop more accurate pronunciation and greater fluency in English, essential skills for their future.
3. Adaptability to the needs of each child: The method adapts to the pace and level of each child or adolescent, offering personalized learning that responds to their specific needs and allows them to advance with confidence.
Tips to maximize online English learning
To help your children get the most out of learning English online, here are some tips that can be of great help:
- Establish a regular study schedule: Although online learning offers flexibility, it is important to establish a regular schedule that allows your children to develop a study routine. This helps create effective learning habits and ensures that progress is steady. Otherwise, the week may go by without finding the right time to study English.
- Combine different learning methods: Don’t limit yourself to one resource. Encourage your children to use a combination of games, videos, reading and live classes. This variety not only enriches learning, but also maintains interest and motivation.
- Choose the right center: Research options of centers and online English institutes, compare their offers, detail their benefits and drawbacks, choose the right and most complete method and site for your child.
- Practice in everyday situations: If possible, look for opportunities for your children to practice English with other friends or in everyday situations, either through online language exchanges or extracurricular activities. This real-world practice is invaluable for improving their confidence and communication skills.
- Involve the whole family: Learning can be more effective and fun when the whole family participates. Consider doing English activities at home, such as watching movies or reading English books together. This not only reinforces learning, but also fosters mutual support.