5 Key Steps in English Language Development

How Children Learn English Naturally

Over the past 40 years, language acquisition research has revealed how children naturally progress through specific steps to learn a language. This predictable path applies to both first and second language learners, with second language learners sometimes following slightly different sequences. This research has influenced language programs like Langmobile, which tailors its teaching methods to help children learn English effectively by following these developmental steps.

1. Language Learning Follows a Predictable Path

According to linguists Lightbown and Spada (2006), children from various language backgrounds (e.g., French or Japanese) generally follow similar steps to acquire certain language structures. For example:

• Forming Questions: Children start with simple yes/no questions, like “Is it a dog?” before moving to Wh- questions, such as “Where is the cat?” Eventually, they ask complex questions like “Can you tell me what animal I’m holding?”
• Creating Negative Forms: Children progress from using basic negations like “no” or “not” to more complex forms such as “can’t,” “won’t,” and “doesn’t.”
• Understanding Grammatical Morphemes: This includes plurals, possessives, and verb tenses, which help them talk about different times, quantities, and relationships.

2. Building Skills with Real-Life Practice

Langmobile’s interactive approach aligns with these developmental steps, creating engaging practice in question formation, negation, and grammar:

• Questioning Skills: Children practice questions across types, from basic yes/no to more advanced forms. Examples include Wh- questions (“What’s in the bag?”), complex embedded questions (“Can you tell me what’s in the box?”), and negative questions (“Why isn’t it a dog?”).
• Practicing Negations: Kids practice different negations in phrases like “can’t,” “won’t,” and “doesn’t,” progressing to full sentences for greater fluency.
• Grammar in Action: By using plurals and possessives (like “dogs” and “Ryan’s book”) and exploring different tenses, Langmobile helps kids master grammatical rules.

3. Using Real-Life Themes for Engagement

Langmobile’s courses engage children with familiar themes, like seasons, holidays, clothing, food, and feelings. For 16 weeks we introduce relatable themes tapping into children’s prior knowledge and link new vocabulary to daily life, making learning feel relevant and achievable.

4. Encouraging Learning with Music and Visuals

Music and visuals make language memorable. Langmobile uses songs like “What’s in the Bag?” to teach vocabulary through rhythm, while original visual content adds context to words and phrases. By pairing words with enjoyable music, kids effortlessly build vocabulary and enjoy language learning.

5. Supporting Early Literacy for Future Success

In addition to building spoken language, Langmobile promotes early literacy skills. By engaging kids in reading and vocabulary-building activities, Langmobile gives children a foundation for academic success and beyond.

Langmobile’s approach aligns with natural language learning steps and uses research-backed strategies, making English fun, interactive, and effective for kids.

In Quebec, the demand for English language education has shown a notable trend, with a significant proportion of eligible children choosing to study in English-language schools. According to Statistics Canada, over 76% of the approximately 304,000 children in Quebec who have the right to attend English public schools are enrolled in them. This statistic illustrates a strong interest in bilingual education, reflecting broader cultural and educational trends as more families recognize the value of English skills for future academic and career opportunities​

Despite this interest, English schooling in Quebec often faces regulatory and logistical challenges, especially given Quebec’s policies aimed at preserving French as the province’s primary language. Nevertheless, access to English education remains a priority for many families, particularly in urban areas where more educational resources are available. This dynamic creates an environment where English learning programs, especially for young children, can thrive, offering a pathway for students to become effectively bilingual and expanding their cultural and professional horizons.