For over 40 years, New School Lyon has been combining bilingual learning and immersion in English from an early age. To extend this approach at home, the best bilingual children's books are an effective way of enriching vocabulary and reinforcing children's language skills. Here is a selection of books suitable for all ages to help your children learn English.
Why encourage bilingual reading from an early age?
Books are great tools for learning English. They can be used at any time and offer a fun experience. From a very early age, children can immerse themselves in the sounds and rhythms of the language, even if they don't yet understand everything. Children's books are invaluable because they provide a gentle introduction to the language.
Bilingual books, in particular, make it easier to switch from one language to the other. This encourages an intuitive understanding of English and improves vocabulary. At New School LyonWe recommend this learning method, which combines fun and efficiency.
Bilingual books recommended for children aged 0 to 4
Young children love interactive books. These often include pop-ups or textures to touch. If your pronunciation of English is not perfect, you can opt for books accompanied by a CD. Your child can listen to native speakers while following the story. Here are a few suggestions for this age group:
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See ? by Eric Carle: This classic is ideal for teaching about colours and animals. The sentences are short and repetitive.
- Gruffalo, Where Are You ? by Julia Donaldson: This interactive book is both fun and educational. It helps develop fine motor skills and memory.
- That's Not My Car by Fiona Watt: This sensory book lets young children learn through touch while discovering new words.
These books capture the attention of little ones with their bright colours and attractive illustrations. They'll also stimulate their interest in reading.
Bilingual books recommended for children aged 5 to 12
From the age of 5, children start to read on their own. Bilingual books help them to learn English naturally. Here are some recommendations for this age group:
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter: This timeless classic is perfect for young readers. The sentences are short and simple, ideal for beginners.
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: This story stimulates children's imaginations while introducing them to more complex sentence structures.
- See Inside Science by Alex Frith: This book, aimed at curious children, explores scientific concepts while enriching their vocabulary.
For older children, there are comic books and adventure novels such as Around the World in Eighty Days are also excellent ways of stimulating their interest in reading in English.
Conclusion
Introducing bilingual reading at home is a fun and natural way for your children to learn English. Whether it's through picture books for younger children or novels for older children, each book is a new linguistic adventure. At New School LyonWe strongly encourage this approach, as it reflects our immersive pedagogy, which is adapted to each child.
