Forget the traditional holiday notebook, here is an online English course platform

It’s 2023, and more often than not, the parents you ask will tell you they want to their children are introduced to another living language as soon as possiblefor obvious learning structures.

So obviously not all parents are equal at this level, because private lessons outside of school take time, organization and money. This is how some solutions can appear ingenious, such as platforms such as Novakid: the online English school for children aged four to twelve.

In the case of Novakid, the promises are numerous: learning with a native speaker, certified teaching adapted to each level, a personalized space for parents and children, all accessible via computer or tablet. Our reader Rosie lent herself to the game, here are her feedback on this experience and those of Eliane of her five-year-old daughter.

Take private lessons via video

During the first connection, Rosie created an account, indicated her daughter’s age in order to have a suitable course and teacher. Thus, she was able to choose the time of the lesson that suited her, in this case a Saturday at 14:00. Subsequently, Novakid’s follow-up is continuous, since she has repeatedly received SMS and WhatsApp messages to confirm her presence for D-Day.

Madmoizelle: Do you think the lessons taught at school are enough to learn a living language?

Rose: Eliane is only in CP, but has already had an introduction to kindergarten. The fact of understanding other languages ​​makes him very happy. Afterwards, he often hears English spoken through the music we can listen to at home, and when we receive friends who don’t speak French, this language remains privileged. With her father, we sometimes discuss Eliane in his presence, and we use English. Even if he doesn’t understand through words, I think he can pick up certain things through intonation or expressions.

Eliana : I have English lessons at school, but I preferred this one!

Madmoizelle: Did you enjoy being on the computer with your mother?

Eliane: Yes, I was able to hold the mouse.

Rose: The playful side of video makes it easier to capture the attention of young children. They feel like they are playing. Although at his age you obviously have to be by his side throughout the session. Also, I am vigilant about the time he spends in front of the screens.

Madmoizelle: What do you think about Novakid’s interface? Would you have a few words to say about the user experience?

Rose: It’s great and very simple. There are two categories, the first is about lessons accessible to parents and the second is games on which children can remain independent. There are daily missions with a points system and stars to earn. A whole universe has been created with animated characters to choose from, so that children can identify with them. She’s alive.

Madmoizelle: What was your favorite on the site?

Eliane: Alright, my favorite thing was picking the guys at the start. I got the fairy!

English lessons adapted to the level of the child

Each lesson lasts approximately 25 minutes so that the student remains attentive. No need for a book, notebook or pen, the content is provided entirely by interactive video. In order not to discourage the pupils, the teacher does not give a mark and verbally rewards the child. Each time a step is validated during the session, a star lights up. The child’s results are saved, so parents can follow their progress.

For a child of Eliane’s age, between four and six years old, the program develops over eight months, with attendance of two meetings a week. During appointments with the teacher, the child will learn to greet and say hello, describe colors, shapes and feelings, name furniture, animals, fruits, body parts and clothes. He will be able to count to ten and distinguish the letters of the alphabet. He will also start using the “like” and “can” structures.

At the end of the first trial lesson, Rosie received a “homework” email with four non-mandatory exercises to do before the next session. It is mainly about practicing the child’s pronunciation by clicking on colors and numbers.

Become more involved in the child’s education

Madmoizelle: Did you have fun?

Rose: It was nice! Personally, I was just afraid that Eliane’s attention would fly away before the end, but she kept going to the end and was happy.

Eliane: I would like to take more than one course.

Rose : I think for a first lesson it was very good, because it was a reminder of something he already knew and there were some new elements. At that age, it’s always good to study and repeat. I don’t know if two lessons a week would be feasible for my daughter, because she already has some extracurricular activities, but one would be possible.

In addition, Novakid offers different formulas based on age and the goal you have set for your child with degressive prices: the more your child takes lessons, the less expensive they will be per unit. Furthermore, you can choose the level of the teacher, whether he is a native speaker or if he has a high level of English.

If Rosie retains several good points from this trial with the Novakid platform, first things first have a teacher who only speaks English with the right accent. Even though she had to do the translation so that Eliane could follow all the exercises, this motivated the girl to try and answer in English.

The fact that the course takes place outside the school helps build a calmer atmosphere with less stakes and frustration. And the last point raised is the interactivity of the platform which transforms this moment of training into a real game: there are both lessons and entertainment activities. In summary, Eliane will certainly be entitled to English lessons during the summer holidays. What if this was the future of holiday homework…