Ideas to help AP learn English basics before she arrives?
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Anonymous
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I just matched with an AP whose English is not great. This is the first time I have had to address this. All my prior APs have been native English speakers (or close to it).
I really liked her and love the idea of our family helping her learn English so she can go back to her country and get a better job. She doesn't arrive for 4 months. Any ideas on how I can help her brush up and learn the basics of what she needs to know to be an AP, driving in the US, etc. Any online courses that aren't a fortune (we will supplement her education stipend when she is here). She seems to be eager to learn. Thanks! |
Anonymous
| This does not answer your question, OP, but we had two APs, whose English was pretty weak. However, they improved sooooo quickly, once here. No class can replace true immersion. So chances are, your AP will be fine, with or without the class. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the words of wisdom! |
Anonymous
| I hired an AP with few English skills and started her in an ESL class right away when she arrived. I regret it - her skills haven't improved much in 4 months, and because I am an intermediate level speaker of her language, we fall back all the time to her native language in order to clarify everything. If I were rewinding the clock, I would choose differently. |
Anonymous
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I can help! We selected an au pair three years ago whose English was so so bad she didn't even understand when we asked her if she wanted to be our au pair (btw, she ended up being awesome and staying with us for two year).
I did a lot of hunting around and found this company that matches English tutors with learners for Skype lessons. You can match with anyone you want to. I think she did 6 or 8 lessons, and while her English was still weak when she came, it had improved some and it really helped with her confidence. https://www.verbalplanet.com/English-tutors.asp |
Anonymous
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PP again - this is actually the specific tutor we used - she was great. Our au pair liked her and she was good at giving updates to me:
https://www.verbalplanet.com/publicviewprofile.asp?tr_id=10025620126&lang=ENG |
Anonymous
| Tell her to watch tv in English. Start with children's shows like Sesame Street. |
Anonymous
This! Because she’s going to work with children, it’s even better, but most ESL classes use this approach with books. And remind her to use the closed captioning in English! |
Anonymous
| She needs to hang out with English speaking friends once she arrives in the US. Not friends form her own country. |
Anonymous
| For now, she can use an online resource like Duolingo or Memrise. Once here, she should attend an ESL class and as many conversation groups as possible. You do NOT have to pay for tutoring*, but you should be sure to allow time in her schedule for regular attendance at the classes she signs up for. Depending on where you live, I might be able to recommend an inexpensive program that is suited for a high intermediate to advanced student. Some are strictly "survival English," and you are going to want her to be well above that level. |
Anonymous
How do you even screen that someone will be good with your children e who is a poor English speaker? Whenever we interviewed someone with poor English skills we immediately DQ'd them. Its impossible to get a good idea of who someone is if you can't even communicate at a level greater than a 2yr old. |