There are not that many children who manage to learn a language at school and who eventually become fluent, no matter how long they studied it. There are, however, many kids who were able to learn a new language on their own within a couple of years, simply by reading, watching TV and mixing with speakers of that language
Parents can play a huge role in helping their kids to learn languages, so here are just a few ideas:
1. Move to a different country!
2. Read and watch TV
3. Help them make bilingual friends
4. Lead by example
5. Keep it fun and challenging
6. Foreign exchanges
7. Vacation abroad
8. Get a foreign Au Pair or Nanny
9. Use books, CD-ROM 's, Video 's, on-line courses
10. Private tuition
Moving to another country
Ok, this may be a bit extreme but it is certainly
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This will only cost you the flight ticket, as another child (let 's say, a young Spaniard) will come to your house for the same amount of time. For those who actually did this during their teenage years, this is one of the most meaningful experiences of their youth. And the languages learned early stay forever, and with a much better accent too.
Vacation abroad
Try to spend holidays in countries speaking your target foreign language. If you don 't speak it at all and your child does, make him feel important several months before you go away, telling him that he 'll be your guide and that the whole family will have to rely on his language skills during the vacations. That should motivate him to learn as much as he can, so that he can be proud to use his new skills in front of the rest of the family.
Get a foreign Au Pair or Nanny
Hire an Au Pair, Nanny, Housekeeper, etc, that doesn 't speak too much English, and encourage her to speak to the children in her own mother tongue. This way, they will learn half the language while playing!
Use books, CD-ROM 's, Video 's, on-line