Online English lessons for kids
Updated · WantATutor
Online English lessons for kids work best when they are short, active and regular: about 25 to 40 minutes for younger children, with games, pictures and speaking in every lesson. On WantATutor 16 English tutors teach elementary school children and 15 teach middle school; their median rate is $15 an hour. You message tutors for free and pay them directly.
Children learn a language by using it, not by listening to explanations. A good online English lesson keeps the child talking, moving and curious, and gives parents a clear idea of what was practised.
What works by age
- Early primary: songs, picture cards, simple questions and short games. A parent nearby for the first lessons helps.
- Upper primary: reading short texts, everyday conversation and phonics or spelling, with a few new words each lesson.
- Middle school: school English, grammar in context, speaking about their own interests and, if needed, exam preparation.
What a good lesson looks like
- A quick warm-up question in English.
- One topic with new words the child uses straight away.
- A game or activity on a shared screen or whiteboard.
- A short review and one small task until the next lesson.
How to choose a tutor
- Check that the tutor lists your child's level (elementary or middle school).
- In your first message, give your child's age, current level and goal.
- Ask how they keep young children engaged online and how they report progress.
- Agree the lesson time in both time zones; profiles show the tutor's time zone.
Browse English tutors, or post a free request at find a tutor and let tutors reply with their rates. More tips: online tutoring for kids and how to find an online English tutor.
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