How To Teach English at Home.

As a British mum living in Brazil, I started trying to teach English at home simply because I wanted my kids to stay connected to my language.
I’m not a trained teacher — just a mum figuring things out with games, routines, and lots of cups of coffee.
If you’re also trying to teach English at home, I promise it can be simple, fun, and absolutely doable.

Why I Started Teaching English at Home

Learning English While Living Abroad

Moving abroad made me realise how fast kids can lose a language if they don’t hear it daily. So I began to teach English at home in tiny, natural ways.

What Worked for My Kids (and What Didn’t!)

Anything that felt like “school” was a disaster.
Games, movement, stories, silly voices? Those saved us.
Slowly, I found my rhythm and discovered simple ways to teach English at home without feeling overwhelmed.

What You Actually Need to Teach English at Home

No Teacher Training Required

If you’re worried you need special training — you don’t. Truly.
You just need patience, consistency, and a willingness to try.

A Few Simple Supplies That Make a Big Difference

Flashcards, crayons, sticky notes, and a printer.
That’s pretty much my whole system for helping my kids while I teach English at home.

Easy Daily Habits to Teach English Naturally

Speaking in Mini Moments (1–2 Minute Chats)

Short bursts work best.
Quick questions, naming objects, or describing what you’re doing.
These tiny conversations slowly build confidence when you teach English at home.

Using English During Routines (Breakfast, Bath, Bedtime)

Kids learn best during predictable routines.
You can turn any moment into language practice.

Simple Games Kids Love for Learning English

Games are the heart of how I teach English at home.

Flashcard Games I Use All the Time

Flashcards are my lifesavers.
We do memory games, races, hide-and-seek cards, and “touch the colour” games.

Movement Games for Energetic Kids

Things like Simon Says or scavenger hunts keep things fun.
Perfect for days when my kids have endless energy.

Quiet Games for Calm Moments

Matching games, bingo, and drawing activities help on slower days.

My Go-To Printables for Teaching English at Home

Printables saved my sanity because they keep kids busy and learning.

Flashcards for Vocabulary Building

I use simple sets with clear pictures.
Flashcards make it easy to teach English at home consistently.

Board Games for Speaking Practice

Roll-and-speak boards help my kids talk naturally.

Worksheets That Don’t Feel Like “School”

Colouring, matching, cut-and-paste — all easy and fun.

How to Teach Vocabulary in a Fun, Simple Way

Repetition Without Boredom

The trick is repeating words without making kids feel like you’re drilling them.
Rotate games, change topics, and keep the mood light.

Mixing Visual, Audio, and Play

Pictures + voice + movement = magic.
This combination helped my kids learn faster when I started to teach English at home.

Teaching Basic Grammar (The Mum-Friendly Way)

When Kids Actually Need Grammar

I only introduce grammar when it naturally comes up — never at the beginning.

Tiny Explanations That Make Sense

Short examples and simple phrases work best.
The goal is understanding, not perfection.

My kids really love snakes and ladders. So this boardgame works really well for them. The main focus remains the game itself. Bonus questions helps reinforce learning without them noticing!

Reading Together in English

Choosing Books That Don’t Overwhelm Beginners

I pick short, repetitive stories.
Even simple board books are enough when you teach English at home.

How I Read With My Kids Without Translating Everything

I point, act, mimic, and explain with gestures.
It keeps reading fun and stress-free.

Common Mistakes I Made (So You Can Avoid Them!)

Too Much Pressure

Kids shut down when it feels forced.

Expecting Fast Results

Consistency matters more than speed.

Forgetting to Make It Fun

The more fun it is, the more English sticks — trust me.

Helpful Routines to Stay Consistent

Weekly Themes

Themes like colours, animals, food, or family help keep lessons organised.
Using themes made it easier to teach English at home without feeling lost.

Mixing Review + New Learning

I follow a simple rhythm: a bit of review, a bit of something new, and always a game.

Resources You Can Use Right Away

Free Printables

Flashcards, board games, worksheets — all great tools for anyone trying to teach English at home.

Easy Online Tools (Kid-Friendly)

Simple apps, songs, and videos (in moderation!) help reinforce vocabulary.

A Little English Every Day Goes a Long Way

You don’t need long lessons or fancy materials.
Just small, consistent moments of English in your home.
If I can teach English at home without a teaching degree, truly anyone can.