Parent guide · Sprouts, ages 7–10
How can I improve my 7 to 10 year old’s spoken English at home?
To improve a 7 to 10 year old’s spoken English at home, give them a few short, low-pressure chances to speak English every day: ask open questions that need more than one word, have them retell a story or their day, and play speaking games. Praise the effort to speak, not perfect grammar. Research on talk-based learning shows that regular spoken practice helps children’s language and their reading and writing too.
Key takeaways
- Speaking grows from speaking: children need turns, not just listening.
- Ask open questions (“Tell me about…”, “Why do you think…?”).
- Retelling a story or their day builds full, connected sentences.
- Correct by repeating the sentence well, not by stopping them.
- Five to ten minutes of English talk a day adds up.
Why doesn’t my child speak English when they understand it?
Many 7 to 10 year olds read and understand English at school but get few chances to speak it. Speaking is a separate skill: it needs practice in finding words quickly and putting them into sentences, out loud. If your child understands but stays quiet, our guide “My child understands English but won’t speak it” covers that situation in detail.
Does speaking practice really make a difference?
Yes. The Education Endowment Foundation’s review of “oral language interventions”, approaches built on spoken language and conversation, found an average of about six months’ extra progress for children who took part.1 Research with younger children also links back-and-forth conversation with stronger language skills.2 Talk is not a break from learning: it is learning.
What can we do every day?
- English minute at dinner: each person shares one good thing about their day in English.
- Open questions: swap “Was school good?” for “Tell me about the funniest thing that happened today.”
- Retell it: after a cartoon or a chapter, ask your child to tell you what happened, in order: first, then, after that, in the end.
- “Because” sentences: ask for a reason. “Which is your favourite game, and why?”
- Think-aloud jobs: let your child explain how to do something they’re good at, such as a game or a drawing.
Which speaking games work at this age?
- 20 questions: guess the animal, object or person with yes-or-no questions.
- Describe and draw: your child describes a picture and you draw it, then swap.
- Story chain: take turns adding one sentence to a silly story.
- Would you rather: “Would you rather fly or be invisible? Why?”
- Mini podcast: record a two-minute talk about a favourite book or hobby on a phone, then listen together.
How should I correct mistakes?
Don’t stop your child mid-sentence. Let them finish, respond to what they said, and repeat it correctly in your reply: if your child says “He don’t like it”, you can say “Oh, he doesn’t like it? Why not?” This keeps the conversation going while they hear the right form.
How do Little Lingos classes help?
In Sprouts, our stage for ages 7 to 10, every child speaks many times in every 40-minute class, in a group of 3 to 6 or one-on-one. Children share opinions with “because” sentences, role-play real situations, retell stories in order and record a Mini Podcast. Our spoken English classes page explains more.
Keep reading: clear English pronunciation, improving listening skills and tongue twisters.
Questions parents ask
Questions parents ask
How long will it take for my child’s spoken English to improve?
It varies by child. With a few minutes of English speaking every day, many families notice longer answers and more confidence within a few weeks, and fuller sentences over a few months.
Should we speak only English at home?
No. Keep your home language: it supports your child’s thinking and language overall. Add short, regular English moments, such as an English minute at dinner, instead of switching completely.
My child is shy about speaking English. What can I do?
Start with low-pressure moments with one person, such as a game or a chat in the car. Praise the attempt, avoid correcting in front of others, and let them practise with a recording before speaking to people.
Do English cartoons help with speaking?
They help with listening and new words, but speaking needs turns. After a cartoon, ask your child to tell you what happened or act out a scene, so the words move from listening to speaking.
Should I correct every grammar mistake?
No. Focus on getting your child talking. Repeat the sentence correctly in your reply, and pick one pattern at a time to practise, such as past tense.
Sources
- Education Endowment Foundation. “Oral language interventions.” Teaching and Learning Toolkit. educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk.
- Romeo, R. R., et al. (2018). “Beyond the 30-million-word gap: Children’s conversational exposure is associated with language-related brain function.” Psychological Science, 29(5), 700–710. Summary via MIT Gabrieli Lab.
Sources checked 3 November 2026. This guide is general information for parents, not medical, psychological or speech-therapy advice.
Hear your child speak in a demo class
Book a 30-minute demo class. Your child meets a trainer, plays a few word games, and you get a written level report the same day.
Book a demo class