Boosting Your Child’s Vocabulary – 3 Fun Facts About English for Parents

English vocabulary is fascinating, full of twists, turns, and quirks that make it both unique and challenging.

Did you know it has one of the largest vocabularies in the world? Its eclectic mix of influences and long history have given English a rich, varied lexicon. Here are three fun facts to keep in mind as you help your child grow their English skills:

1. English Has Borrowed Words from All Over the World

English is a global language not only in usage but in its origins. Over centuries, it’s borrowed thousands of words from languages worldwide, including French, German, Latin, Greek, Italian, and even more recent influences from Spanish and Japanese. For example, words like ballet and genre come from French, piano from Italian, and kindergarten from German. According to Schmitt and Marsden, authors of Why Is English Like That?, English’s history of word-borrowing explains many of its quirky spellings and pronunciations (Schmitt & Marsden, 2006)​

For learners, this can make English feel unpredictable, especially in spelling. But it also means that kids learning English may recognize familiar words borrowed from their own languages, making learning more exciting!

2. Most People Only Need a Few Thousand Words for Everyday English

While an average native English speaker knows around 20,000 words, research shows that only about 1,000–2,000 words are necessary for everyday conversations. That’s good news for young learners! Around 6,000 words are typically enough to understand TV shows, movies, and even news.

For early learners, vocabulary-building efforts should focus on high-frequency words that show up often in daily life, like “family,” “play,” and “food.” You can find a list of the most common words in English here. Once your child learns the essentials, they’ll be able to communicate confidently even without knowing every word.

3. Kids Soak Up Vocabulary Quickly, But Repetition Matters

Young children are impressive language sponges! A five-year-old native speaker typically knows around 5,000 word families, meaning that with the right support, young learners can grow their vocabulary quickly.

However, research shows that children need repeated exposure to new words to make them “stick.” Studies on vocabulary acquisition, like those by Zahra, Cobb, and Spada, suggest that learners in Quebec know about 500–700 English words by seventh grade​

. This means consistent practice outside the classroom is key, and kids may need to see or use a word several times to feel comfortable with it.

Langmobile offers a range of resources to support vocabulary development: online classes, camps, private lessons, and more, all tailored to help children progress in a fun, engaging way.

Tips to Boost Your Child’s English Vocabulary:

1. Read Together Regularly: Reading is one of the best ways to expose children to new vocabulary. Start with simple books and gradually introduce more complex stories.

2. Limit New Words Daily: Focus on just 5–12 new words each day. Too many words at once can be overwhelming for a language learner.

3. Choose Words Wisely: Teach high-frequency words first, and group new words by themes like animals, food, or colors. This not only helps with memorization but also allows children to practice vocabulary in context.

4. Review Often: Repetition is key. It can take 10-15 exposures to a word for a child to truly understand and remember it. Practice regularly through conversation, games, and other engaging activities.

5. Make Learning Fun and Relevant: Help your child associate new words with real-life situations or objects. For example, if you’re teaching words for different foods, you could cook together and label ingredients in English.

By helping your child grow their vocabulary steadily and interactively, you’re giving them the tools they need to communicate, comprehend, and enjoy the richness of English. Whether they’re learning for school or for fun, these tips will make language learning an adventure!

Langmobile is here to help your child achieve fluency through various interactive programs. From Saturday classes to private lessons and online programs, we’re dedicated to supporting every learner’s journey to becoming confident in English.

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