May 2023 -

What Are The Benefits of Group Learning For Children?

What Are The Benefits of Group Learning For Children?

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 12/05/2023

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 12/05/2023

children group learning online

Group learning has long been proven that it can offer many benefits to children of all ages. 

Whether it is in a classroom setting, an online class or a more informal setting, such as a study group, children can learn a lot from their peers, and it can boost their performance too. 

At Meridian English, our unique style of teaching in small groups ​​facilitates real interaction between students, whilst also allowing the teacher to take individual needs into account. 1-to-1 sessions can become a sterile environment for practicing language as natural opportunities to communicate are difficult to recreate.

We know that group learning can help to facilitate growth and knowledge when it comes to learning a language, so let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of group learning for children.

children group learning

What Are The Benefits of Group Learning For Children?

It Helps To Improve Social Skills

Group learning provides children with the opportunity to interact and communicate with their peers. 

This can help them develop their social skills, such as how to listen and respond to others, how to work collaboratively on a project, and how to give and receive feedback. 

These skills are essential for success in school and in life, and listening and learning with peers forms a perfect foundation for effectively learning a language.

Encourages Teamwork

Group learning encourages teamwork, which is a vital skill that children will need in their future careers. 

By working together on a project or group activity, children learn how to divide tasks, share responsibilities, and communicate effectively with each other. 

These skills will help them work more efficiently and effectively in their future jobs.

Meridian English - more than just English lessons.

Builds Confidence

Group learning can help build confidence in children. When they work with their peers, they can learn from each other and feel more comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions. 

This type of setting can also provide a supportive environment where children can feel more confident in expressing themselves and their ideas.

When it comes to practicing a language, a group setting helps to build confidence even faster, and take learnings from the other students.

Enhances Learning

It Learning in a group can greatly enhance a child’s learning experience. When children work together, they can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They can also share their perspectives and insights, which can deepen their understanding of a topic. 

This type of setting can also provide children with a broader range of ideas and perspectives, which can help them to think critically and creatively.

It’s one of the reasons we pride ourselves on mixed nationality group learning lessons. In small groups, these student-to-student interactions can occur both naturally and be easily facilitated by the teacher.

Encourages Problem-solving

It can also encourage problem-solving skills in children. When children work together, they can face challenges and solve problems together. Group settings for problem solving is something that we see in school, university and throughout our career in team building exercises.

This can help them develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It can also help them learn how to negotiate and compromise, which are important skills for success in life.

Creates A Sense of Community

Group learning can create a sense of community among children, when they work together, they can develop a sense of belonging and connectedness. 

This can help them feel more engaged and motivated to learn each lesson. It can also help them develop positive relationships with their peers, which can lead to lifelong friendships.

Fosters Creativity

When children work together in a group learning setting, they can come up with new and innovative ideas. 

They can also provide instant feedback and support to each other, which can help them refine and improve their ideas. 

Group learning can also provide children with a safe environment to experiment and take risks, which is essential for creative thinking.

Provides Feedback

Finally, group learning provides children with feedback on their work. When they work with their peers, they can receive constructive feedback on their ideas and projects. This can help them improve their work and develop their skills. Group learning can also help children learn how to give and receive feedback, which is an essential skill in school and in life.

Group learning has many benefits for children and it’s one of the main reasons our online English lessons are conducted in small mixed nationality groups. In the right setting children can thrive, it can improve their social skills, encourage teamwork, build confidence, enhance learning, encourage problem-solving, create a sense of community, foster creativity, and provide feedback.

Group learning provides children with a supportive environment where they can learn from each other and develop essential skills for success in school and in life.

Looking to take your young learners’ English language to the next level? Our online English classes for children aged 5-15 will take them from beginner to confident English speaker in a supportive group setting, book your course today.

The Best 12 English Learning Memory Games For Children

The Best 12 English Learning Memory Games For Children

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 12/05/2023

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 12/05/2023

Learning English can be a challenging task for children, especially if it is not their first language. 

However, using memory games can be a fun and effective way to help them learn and retain new vocabulary and grammar structures. 

Memory games can also help children develop important cognitive skills such as attention, concentration, and memory retention. Memory games are a great complement to their online studies with Meridian English, helping to broaden their vocabulary and practice these words on a regular basis.

If you’re looking to complement your child’s current studies, here are 12 of the best English learning memory games to engage and spark interest in your children. 

The Best 12 English Learning Memory Games For Children

Memory Match Game

The classic memory match game is a great way for children to practice vocabulary words. To play, simply print out two sets of picture cards (e.g., animals, food, household items) and mix them up. 

Lay the cards face down on a table and have the child turn over two cards at a time to find a matching pair.

Simon Says

Simon Says is a fun game that can be used to practice following instructions and learning new vocabulary. 

The game involves one player (the “leader”) giving instructions to the other players (the “followers”). The followers must only follow the instruction if the leader says “Simon says” before the instruction.

For example, ‘Simon says to stand up on one foot’ or ‘Simon says to yawn’.

Concentration

Concentration is another classic memory game that can be used to practice vocabulary words. 

To play, print out two sets of word cards and mix them up. Lay the cards face down on a table and have the child turn over two cards at a time until they find a matching pair.

Go Fish

Go Fish is a card game that can be used to practice asking and answering questions. 

To play, each player is dealt a set of cards, and the remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the table. 

Players take turns asking each other if they have a specific card (e.g., “Do you have any apples?”). 

If the other player has the card, they must give it to the player who asked. The player with the most sets of matching cards at the end of the game wins.

Hangman

A very popular word game for young learners that can be used to practice spelling and vocabulary. 

To play, one player thinks of a word and draws a series of dashes to represent each letter in the word. The other player must guess letters one at a time. If the guessed letter is in the word, the first player writes the letter in the appropriate dash. 

If the guessed letter is not in the word, the first player draws a part of a stick figure (e.g., a head, body, arms, legs) to represent a hanging man. The game ends when the word is guessed or the stick figure is completed.

Word Ladder

Word Ladder is an engaging and fun way to widen a child’s vocabulary. To play, choose a word and have the child change one letter at a time to make a new word. 

For example, if the starting word is “cat,” the child could change it to “bat,” then “pat,” then “pot,” and so on.

Scrabble

Scrabble has been used and loved for decades by both young learners and adults, and one that can instill competitiveness in every age. 

It’s a great game that can be used to practice spelling and vocabulary. To play, each player is given a set of letter tiles and must use them to create words on a board. Each letter has a point value, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Alphabet Game

The Alphabet Game is a simple game that can be used to practice letter recognition and vocabulary. 

To play, choose a category (e.g., animals, food, cities) and have the child name something in that category that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

Bingo

Bingo is a classic game that can be used to practice vocabulary and listening skills. To play, each player is given a bingo card with a set of words or pictures on it. The game leader calls out words or shows pictures, and players mark off the corresponding square on their bingo card. 

The first player to mark off a complete row or pattern on their bingo card wins.

Memory Tray

Place a variety of small objects on a tray. Give children a few minutes to observe the objects, and then cover the tray. 

The players must write down or recall as many objects as they can remember. The player who remembers the most objects correctly wins.

Memory Chain

Memory Chain is a game that can be used to practice vocabulary and memory retention. To play, the first player says a word (e.g., “dog”), and the second player must say a word that starts with the last letter of the first word (e.g., “goat”). 

The game continues with each player adding a new word to the chain.

Word Association

Word Association is a fun game that can be used to practice vocabulary and creativity. To play, choose a word and have the child say the first word that comes to mind that is related to the original word. 

For example, if the original word is “tree,” the child could say “leaves” or “branches.”

These twelve English learning memory games are great for children of all ages and language levels. 

They are not only effective for learning new vocabulary and grammar structures, but they are also fun and engaging for young children who have an appetite to learn. 

Using these games as part of an English language learning curriculum can help children develop important cognitive skills, such as attention, concentration, and memory retention, while improving their English language proficiency. 

Additionally, playing these games in a group setting can help children develop important social skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 

Looking to take your young learners’ English language to the next level? Our English classes for children aged 5-15 will take them from beginner to confident English speaker, book your course today.

Meridian English - more than just English lessons.

Top 33 Nursery Rhymes For Children In English

Top 33 Nursery Rhymes For Children In English

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 12/05/2023

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 07/12/2022

Nursery rhymes can be a fun and effective way for children to learn English as a second language. 

These rhymes often incorporate simple language, repetitive patterns, and catchy melodies that make them easy for young learners to remember and sing along with. 

Using nursery rhymes to complement your child’s existing learning is a great way to support their studies. Here are 33 popular nursery rhymes in English that children all around the world can enjoy.

Top 33 Nursery Rhymes For Children In English

  • Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.


  • Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow,

And everywhere that Mary went,

The lamb was sure to go.


  • Baa, Baa, Rainbow Sheep

Baa, baa, rainbow sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes, sir, yes, sir,

Three bags full.


  • The Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go round and round,

Round and round, round and round,

The wheels on the bus go round and round,

All through the town.


  • Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Old MacDonald had a farm,

E-I-E-I-O,

And on his farm he had a cow,

E-I-E-I-O.


  • Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout,

Down came the rain and washed the spider out,

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,

And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.


  • Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock.

The clock struck one,

And down he run,

Hickory dickory dock.


  • Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream,

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.


  • London Bridge Is Falling Down

London Bridge is falling down,

Falling down, falling down,

London Bridge is falling down,

My fair lady.


  • Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill went

up the hill,

To fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

  • Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.


  • Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row.


  • Yankee Doodle

Yankee Doodle went to town,

Riding on a pony,

Stuck a feather in his cap,

And called it macaroni.


  • Ring Around the Rosie

Ring around the rosie,

A pocket full of posies,

Ashes, ashes,

We all fall down.


  • Three Blind Mice

Three blind mice, three blind mice,

See how they run, see how they run,

They all ran after the farmer’s wife,

Who cut off their tails with a carving knife.


  • This Old Man

This old man, he played one,

He played knick-knack on my thumb,

With a knick-knack paddywhack, give a dog a bone,

This old man came rolling home.


  • Pop Goes the Weasel

Pop goes the weasel,

The weasel goes pop,

All around the mulberry bush,

The monkey chased the weasel.


  • The Farmer in the Dell

The farmer in the dell,

The farmer in the dell,

Hi-ho, the derry-o,

The farmer in the dell.


  • Pat-a-Cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man,

Bake me a cake as fast as you can,

Pat it and prick it and mark it with a “B”,

And put it in the oven for baby and me.


  • Mary, Had a Baby

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord,

Mary had a baby, yes, my Lord,

Mary had a baby, yes, Lord,

The people keep-a-comin’ and the train done gone.


  • Polly, Put the Kettle On

Polly, put the kettle on,

Polly, put the kettle on,

Polly, put the kettle on,

We’ll all have tea.


  • Simple Simon

Simple Simon met a pieman,

Going to the fair,

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Let me taste your ware.


  • Ten Little Indians

One little, two little, three little Indians,

Four little, five little, six little Indians,

Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians,

Ten little Indian boys.


  • The Muffin Man

Oh, do you know the muffin man,

The muffin man, the muffin man,

Oh, do you know the muffin man,

Who lives on Drury Lane?


  • The Grand Old Duke of York

Oh, the grand old Duke of York,

He had ten thousand men,

And he marched them down again.


  • Rock-a-Bye Baby

Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby, cradle and all.


  • The Alphabet Song

A-B-C-D-E-F-G,

H-I-J-K-LMNOP,

Q-R-S-T-U-V,

W-X-Y and Z,

Now I know my ABCs,

Next time, won’t you sing with me?


  • She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes,

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes,

She’ll be coming round the mountain,

She’ll be coming round the mountain,

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes.


  • Little Miss Muffet

Little Miss Muffet,

Sat on a tuffet,

Eating her curds and whey,

Along came a spider,

And sat down beside her,

And frightened Miss Muffet away.

 

  1. Sing A Song of Sixpence

Sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of rye,

Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.

When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,

Oh wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before the king?

The king was in his counting house counting out his money,

The queen was in the parlour eating bread and honey

The maid was in the garden hanging out the clothes,

When down came a blackbird and pecked off her nose!

 

  1. Oranges and Lemons

 

Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement’s.

You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin’s.

When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.

When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.

When will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.

I do not know,
Says the great bell of Bow.

Here comes a candle to light you to bed, And here comes a chopper to chop off your head!

  1. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – perhaps she’ll die!


There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and wiggled and tiggled inside her;
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!

  1. Tom, Tom, the Piper’s Son

Tom, Tom, the piper’s son,

Stole a pig, and away did run;

The pig was eat

And Tom was beat,

And Tom went crying

Down the street.

Nursery rhymes are an essential part of early childhood education. They play a crucial role in the development of children’s language and literacy skills, helping children develop their vocabulary, memory, and imagination. They also introduce children to basic concepts such as counting, colours, and shapes.

The top 40 nursery rhymes for children listed above are some of the most popular and well-known rhymes in the English language. Parents and educators can use these rhymes to introduce children to the joys of reading and to help them develop a love for language and literacy.

Whether it’s singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to a newborn baby or reciting “Mary Had a Little Lamb” with a group of preschoolers, nursery rhymes are an excellent way to engage children and help them develop essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Looking to take your young learners’ English language to the next level? Our English classes for children aged 5-15 will take them from beginner to confident English speaker, book your course today.

Meridian English - more than just English lessons.

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What Music Should I Listen To When Learning English

What Music Should I Listen To When Learning English?

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 04/05/2023

Author: Nicole Sage

Date: 04/05/2023

Music is a great way to improve your English language skills. Not only is it entertaining, but it can also help you develop your listening, speaking, and vocabulary skills. We’ve already touched on before in our blog how listening to the language in mediums such as movies is such a powerful, and fun way to learn and widen your vocabulary. 

When choosing music to listen to while learning English, it is important to consider a few factors, such as the tempo of the music, the lyrics, and the genre

At Meridian English, here are some of our top tips on choosing the right type of music to listen to when learning English. 

What Music Should I Listen To When Learning English?

Choose songs with clear lyrics

When you are learning English, it is important to choose songs with clear lyrics that are easy to understand. 

If you listen to songs with complicated or ambiguous lyrics, it may be difficult to understand the words and follow the meaning of the song. 

Songs that have clear and simple lyrics will help you develop your vocabulary and grammar skills, and they will also help you to understand the melody and rhythm of English language.

  1. Listen to songs with a slow tempo

Listening to songs with a slow tempo will allow you to follow the lyrics and understand the words and phrases used in the song. 

Songs with a slow tempo are also helpful for pronunciation practice. You can sing along to the lyrics and pay attention to the way the words are pronounced.

  1. Try different genres of music

English language music is diverse, with a variety of genres such as pop, rock, rap, hip-hop, and country. 

Listening to different genres of music will help you to understand the different styles and rhythms of English language. 

Music is a great way to learn new vocabulary. When you come across new words or phrases in a song, write them down and look up their meaning. You can also create flashcards or use online tools to practice the new vocabulary you have learned. This will help you to expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills.

  1. Focus on the lyrics

Read the lyrics and try to understand the meaning of the words and phrases used in the song. 

Don’t be afraid to listen to the song multiple times to really get an understanding of the words used in the song, this will help you to understand the context in which certain words and phrases are used.

  1. Sing along

For young learners and beyond, one of the best ways to improve your English language skills is simply to sing along to English songs!

This will help you to practice your pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. You can also practice your listening skills by singing along to the lyrics and paying attention to the melody and rhythm of the song.

  1. Watch music videos with subtitles

Watching music videos with subtitles is a great way to improve your listening and reading skills. 

You can follow the lyrics of the song while watching the video, which will help you to understand the meaning of the words and phrases used in the song. You can also practice your pronunciation by singing along to the song while watching the video.

Meridian English Recommends: 5 Top English Songs To Listen To

Thanks to Youtube and the online accessibility of music these days, there are so many great English songs to choose from, but here are a few recommendations that are perfect for helping to widen your English vocabulary and confidence with the language. 

Adele – Hello

Adele’s song ‘Hello’ is a potent tool for English learners due to its slow introduction and lucid lyrics. 

Specifically, for beginners in English, her distinct London accent is conducive to becoming familiar with novel vocabulary and expressions.

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You is a hugely popular English song that has easy to learn lyrics. It also helps that it has a super catchy melody which makes it fun to follow along with. 

OneRepublic - Counting Stars

A great song for English learners, a memorable melody, and uses common expressions that can be useful for everyday conversation. Don’t forget to follow along with the lyrics on the screen!

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Featuring poetic and descriptive lyrics, this song can help learners to expand their vocabulary and improve their understanding of figurative language in English. 

However, you’ll soon find that it can become undeniably hard to listen to this song without singing along!

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

The last of our top picks is Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars. The song’s slow and melodic pace can also make it a good choice for learners who want to practice their listening and pronunciation skills. 

Music is a great way to improve your English language skills, it’s fun, educational and can help you practice that perfect singing voice too! 

We’d love to hear what your favourite songs to learn English are, do let us know in the comments below. 

Want to take your child’s English language learning to the next step? Our online English classes will take your child from beginner to confident English speaker. Get in touch for more information.