Social media is a way to write about ourselves and interact with others.
There are lots of different types of social media: social networking sites, online forums, sharing photos and videos, writing reviews, blogs and vlogs.
Blogs and vlogs
Blogs are a bit like an online journal. Your child can write about their interests, ideas, wishes, humour and anything else they think about.
Research suggests that blogging helps schoolchildren practise writing. Students tend to write more in blogs – they are writing for a real audience and a real purpose.
Check out these blogging sites for children, which can be monitored by parents.
Alternatively, if your child would prefer to practise their speaking skills, they could tell you about their ideas and record it in a video (vlog).
Learning tip for 5–12 year olds
Your child might enjoy telling you their ‘news’. With your help, they could turn this into their own English ‘diary’ blog.
- Ask your child to tell you something about their day. This can be in English or in your own language.
- Together, write down the key words/sentences in English.
- Now, ask your child to upload a picture to show what they did.
- Then, ask your child to read the key words/sentences back to you in English.
Your child might also enjoy collecting these pictures on a wall in their bedroom, or making them into a mini-book to read later on.
Learning tip for 13–18 year olds
Your child might enjoy making their own diary in English. They could write a blog, and either make it public or make it available to people they choose.
In the afternoon or evening, ask your child to tell you about something that’s happened during their day. Note down some key words, phrases and sentences. Leave them to write their diary entry, but be available if they need help.
Facebook
The Cambridge Assessment English Facebook page is updated every day, giving your child regular opportunities to practise English.
Your child can talk to other English language learners and take part in fun language activities to practise English. Like our page and join millions of learners around the world!
Learning tip
Encourage your child to check out our interesting facts, videos, discussions and quizzes. Quiz answers are made available the next day.
Interact through games and apps
Some of the most popular games and apps are not specifically designed to be ‘education’ apps. But innovative teachers are taking advantage and finding ways to use these technologies for learning.
One example is Minecraft, a massive game, which now has a huge community of educators using it for real learning. Language learning teachers are getting learners to collaborate and communicate in English to build their own worlds.
Learning tip
Children, parents and teachers are all learning new digital skills at the same time. Explore technologies together and discuss whether they are useful.
Ask each family member to try one type of technology: an app, a blog, or a multiplayer online computer game. If you want ideas, here are some top-rated games, top-rated apps and top-rated websites.
Ask each person to share what they’ve found with the rest of the family. Does it help their English skills? How much fun is it to use? Ask everyone to rate it out of 10.