In today's digital age, online education has become increasingly popular, and this trend extends to learning languages, even for young children. If you're considering online Urdu classes for your child, there are a few points you want to keep in mind to help keep learning Urdu fun. In this guide, we'll explore what to look for in an online Urdu tutor for your child.
1. Relatable and Qualified Tutors
Begin your search by looking for Urdu tutors that can connect with your children. Our children in the US, UK and Canada have blended Eastern-Western identities and it is important for tutors to be able to relate to their upbringing.
You also want to look for tutors that are well-qualified and possess relevant experience in teaching children. A strong educational background and a history of working with young learners can make a significant difference in the quality of instruction.
For example, all our Urdu tutors are native Urdu speakers based out of the US, UK or Canada. We have found this to be incredibly helpful in having the children connect with our tutors. Having an undergraduate degree and prior experience of working with children is a requirement of working with us.
2. Child-Centered Approach to Learning Urdu
Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. Look for tutors who utilize a child-centered approach, using interactive activities and materials designed to capture your child's interest and maintain their focus.
For example, we have structured our online Urdu classes as small groups of 3-5 children. We have found that this promotes conversation within children and can be a great way to build confidence, especially for kids that can be shy to open up in front of adults.
3. Engaging and Interactive Urdu Lessons
Urdu lessons should be more than just memorizing vocabulary and grammar. Seek Urdu lessons that incorporate games, songs, and other interactive elements to make learning Urdu engaging and enjoyable. We have found that children of different age groups relate better with different activities and finding the right mix is very important!
5. Structured Curriculum for Urdu as a Second Language
Most of our kids are more comfortable with English so we have found a hybrid Urdu-English approach to be highly effective. By gradually easing them into Urdu, through 6+ structured levels, we are able to get the kids to remain engaged early on, and then grow their Urdu skills as they become more comfortable. Our curriculum is focused on conversational Urdu only - not reading or writing. We have found this approach to help accelerate understanding of the spoken language while allowing kids to feel like they are "getting it" a lot faster.
6. Interactive Technological Tools
Online learning presents its own set of challenges. We found using Zoom to not be very effective as it would only allow for 1 way interactivity. By using another platform, we were able to create online Urdu lessons that kids can interact with on their screen (depending on their age) to remain more engaged.
7. Reviews from Other Parents
Finding the right online Urdu tutor for your child can make all the difference in their language learning journey. By keeping these criteria in mind, you'll be better equipped to select a tutor who can provide a fulfilling and effective learning experience for your child.
Remember to do your research, read reviews, and request recommendations from other parents to ensure you make the best choice for your child's education. Happy learning!
