How to help my ds to learn to read English, he can read and write in French only

[unconvinced]

We are returning (hopefully!) to the UK this summer and am hoping to get the dc's into local schools.

My dd was able to read and write in English before we arrived here and I don't think she will have too many problems adjusting back to writing in English again.

On the other hand I think my ds will, he has only ever been taught in French both reading and writing, although at home we speak only English as well as reading and watching TV in English too.

I am worried that he may really struggle at school in September and would like to give him a helping hand, but I am not sure exactly where to start, should I

a) get him a private tutor for some of the summer hols

b) try myself, but I am not very patient?

c) not worry about it as his new school will know exactly how to handle it.

By the way he is 7 years old.

Many thanks for any of your thoughts.

I wouldn't worry unduly to be honest, but maybe you could start reading some english texts with him

if he can read and write and french he won't find it too difficult to pick up a new skill

I think my aim would be to make it fun so I'm not sure I would consider a tutor

maybe some english word games would help though .. have you looked for some?

Thanks Twiglett, what sort of word games?

British schools are used to getting children for whom English is an additonal (EAL) language. Prehaps its worth mentioning to his new school that your son cannot read or write in English, but can read and write in French. When picking a school ask what help the school is prepared to offer him.

The school may well set an IEP for him to help him with reading and writing just as they would for an EAL child. A bit of one to one time with an LSA to teach him English phonics may well be enough for him.

If you can find the right person a tutor might be good for his confidence.

I would just go through the alphabet books you have sounding out the letters in English and doing some simple spelling maybe of words he already knows but with the english sounds. I.e. 'cup' 'cuh, uh, puh'. Or maybe start a diary in English where you help him write a couple of sentences and he can ilustrate it. Or make a wall frieze/book with an A4 sheet for each letter and get him to cut out words beginning with that letter, stick them on the sheets and write the word in English.
I think it's supposed to be easier for them to learn to read and write in one language at a time so I don't think you should worry. TBH you may find you are more worried about finding ways to keep his French reading and writing up to level a few months after you move back to the UK! Good luck!

Might you be able to find some games and interesting web sites for him online? I'm sure someone else will know better...As a French teacher we use Linguascope alot - you could do with an English version if it exists....good luck!

Might you be able to find some games and interesting web sites for him online? I'm sure someone else will know better...As a French teacher we use Linguascope alot - you could do with an English version if it exists....good luck!

Also, try re-posting this in 'multi/bilingual families', I'm sure there are los of people on there who can help.

oops, sorry I abandoned you then didn't I?

BBC Skillwise might be useful stuff like phenomes ..

this site has lots of links, just have a play and see what attracts him www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk/curriculum/Literacy.htm#KS1%20On-line%20Activities%20NEW