This is probably one of the most common questions parents ask before enrolling their child, and it's a perfectly understandable concern. In fact, many parents are surprised when I tell them that teaching entirely in English is exactly how our teachers were trained to teach.
When I trained for the Cambridge CELTA qualification in London, I had a beginner group of 10 students from 10 very different countries. At first, I wondered how it would work, but the students adapted far more quickly than I expected. They didn't translate everything into their own language first – they simply began to understand English through actions, facial expressions, pictures, repetition and everyday classroom routines.
It's actually very similar to the way children learn their first language. Parents don't teach a baby Bulgarian by translating every word into another language. They point, demonstrate, repeat and encourage, and gradually the child begins to understand. Learning a second language can happen in much the same way.
Of course, that doesn't mean we expect children to understand everything from the very first lesson. A good English teacher knows how to make themselves understood. We use gestures, pictures, objects, demonstrations and plenty of visual support. We also repeat new language naturally and encourage children to join in when they're ready, without putting them under pressure.
One of the biggest advantages of teaching this way is that children begin to think in English instead of constantly translating. Rather than hearing a word in English and searching for the Bulgarian equivalent, they start to associate the English word directly with its meaning. Over time, this helps them become more confident and more fluent speakers.
I've seen this happen hundreds of times over the years. Children often arrive feeling a little shy or uncertain, but after a few lessons they begin responding to simple instructions, joining in songs and games, and using English naturally in the classroom. It's always rewarding to watch their confidence grow.
Every child learns at their own pace, and some take longer than others to settle in. That's perfectly normal. Our job isn't just to teach English – it's to create a classroom where children feel comfortable, supported and happy to communicate. Once that happens, the language usually follows much more quickly than parents expect.
Mark McTaggart
English Academy Director
Have a question for Mark? Send it to us, and it may be answered in a future edition of "Ask Mark".
