Parent guide · Families in the UAE
How can my child keep practising English over the summer holidays in the UAE?
Children keep their English growing over the UAE summer holidays with a little practice most days, not long catch-up sessions. The summer break is long, roughly from early July to late August in the Ministry of Education’s 2026–27 calendar, and many families travel. Daily reading, everyday conversation in English, a few small writing projects and a regular weekly class keep skills active. Research on summer programmes finds the most benefit from focused teaching in small groups or one-on-one. Travel can become English practice too.
Key takeaways
- A little English most days works better than long sessions.
- The UAE summer break is about two months long.
- Daily reading is the simplest habit to keep.
- Turn travel into practice: a travel diary, postcards, a video journal.
- A regular small-group or one-on-one class keeps speaking active.
How long is the summer break in the UAE?
It depends on your school, but it is usually around two months. In the Ministry of Education’s 2026–27 calendar, the school year starts on 31 August 2026, the last day for students is 2 July 2027, and the summer break begins on 5 July 2027.1 Private schools set their own term dates within the rules, so check your school’s calendar. Two months without school routines is a long time, so a light plan helps.
What does a simple summer plan look like?
| Activity | How often | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (together or alone) | Most days | 15 to 30 minutes |
| English conversation (meals, car rides) | Daily | A few minutes |
| A small writing project | Once or twice a week | 20 minutes |
| Live English class | 2 or 3 times a week | 40 minutes |
| Free play, rest and family time | Every day | Plenty |
Keep it light. The aim is a steady habit, not a summer school timetable.
How can we keep reading going over the summer?
- Let your child choose books they enjoy, including comics, non-fiction and series.
- Visit a library or bookshop before the holidays, or use e-books and audiobooks when travelling.
- Read aloud together, even with older children; it builds vocabulary and is fun.
- Talk about the story: favourite character, what might happen next, how it ended.
See our guide to reading aloud confidently.
How can travel become English practice?
- Travel diary. A few lines and a drawing each day.
- Postcards or messages. Write to a grandparent or friend about the trip.
- Video journal. A one-minute clip each day explaining what you did.
- Plan a day out. Older children can research a place and present the plan to the family.
Do summer classes really help?
Focused teaching over the summer can help. The Education Endowment Foundation’s summary of research finds that summer schools add, on average, about three months of extra progress, with the strongest effects when they include intensive teaching in small groups or one-to-one.2 For most families, two or three short live classes a week, alongside reading and conversation, are enough to keep English active without taking over the holiday.
Can my child join Little Lingos classes while we travel?
Yes. Classes are live online, so your child can join from anywhere with a laptop or tablet and a steady connection. Class times are arranged around your child’s availability in UAE time, you can reschedule up to 2 classes a month with 24 hours’ notice, and recordings stay available for 30 days. See online English classes in the UAE for plans in dirhams.
Questions parents ask
Questions parents ask
How much English practice does my child need over the summer?
A little most days is enough: 15 to 30 minutes of reading, some conversation in English and two or three short classes a week. Regular, light practice keeps skills active better than long sessions now and then.
Should my child do worksheets over the summer?
A few can help, but they are not the most useful activity. Reading for enjoyment, talking, writing for real reasons and speaking practice build more lasting skills, and children are more likely to enjoy them.
We spend the summer in our home country. How can we keep English going?
Keep a short English reading habit, use English audiobooks and shows, and keep regular online classes going from where you are. Speaking your home language with family is also valuable; children can grow in both.
Is it a good time to start online English classes in the summer?
Yes. The summer break gives children time and energy for something new, and starting then means classes are already a routine when school begins again. The free demo class gives you a written level report first.
Can my child still have a proper holiday?
Absolutely. Rest, play and family time matter. A light routine of reading, conversation and a few short classes fits around trips and free days without feeling like school.
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Education. Academic Calendar 2026–2027. moe.gov.ae.
- Education Endowment Foundation. “Summer schools.” Teaching and Learning Toolkit. educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk.
Sources checked 27 October 2026. This guide is general information for parents, not medical or speech-therapy advice. School rules and calendars change; check with your child’s school for current details.
Start English practice this summer with a free demo class
Book a free 30-minute demo class. Your child meets a trainer, plays a few word games, and you get a written level report the same day.
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