How to Use English for Home Schooling Your Children: Essential Phrases and Resources

You're explaining fractions, but your child just stares at the blank page. You know the math. You just don't know how to say it in English. This is where most non-native parents hit a wall when homeschooling.

The truth is, you don't need perfect English to teach your child. You just need the right phrases. A handful of clear, repeatable expressions will carry you through math, reading, and science lessons.

Let me share what actually works.

The Core Phrases You Need for Each Subject

Math: Keep It Short and Specific

Math language is repetitive by nature. That works in your favor. Stick to these patterns:

• "Count together." — "Let's count the apples. One, two, three."
• "Add" and "subtract." — "Add 3 and 5. What do you get?" or "Take away 2 from 8."
• "Check your answer." — Always end with this. It builds the habit of self-correction.

Don't overcomplicate. "Plus" works just as well as "add." "Minus" works for subtraction. Your child will learn both eventually.

Reading: Sound It Out Slowly

Reading lessons are about patience and prompting. Use these three phrases:

• "Sound it out." Point to the word and say each sound slowly: "C-a-t. Cat."
• "What letter does that start with?" This forces them to look at the beginning of the word.
• "Read it again." Repetition builds fluency. Don't skip this.

If your child gets stuck, wait five seconds before jumping in. Silence is uncomfortable, but it forces them to try.

Science: Describe and Compare

Science vocabulary can feel intimidating. Keep your sentences simple:

• "What do you notice?" Use this for observations. "What do you notice about the ice?"
• "Compare these two." — "The leaf is big. The seed is small. How are they different?"
• "What happens if?" — "What happens if we mix blue and yellow?"

These questions push your child to think, not just memorize.

Free Resources for Homeschooling Parents

You don't need to buy expensive curricula. These are reliable and free:

• ESL Lab — Hundreds of listening exercises with transcripts. Perfect for building your own confidence before teaching.
• National Geographic Kids — Short articles about animals and science. The language is simple but accurate.
• Duolingo ABC — Free phonics app for young learners. Use it alongside your reading lessons.

Bonus tip: Record yourself saying a math problem or a short story. Play it back during breakfast. Your child absorbs language even when they're not "studying."

One Exercise to Build Your Confidence

Before your next lesson, take 10 minutes. Write down three things you want to say. Then say them out loud to yourself.

Example:

• "First, we read the sentence."
• "Now, underline the verb."
• "Good job. Let's do another one."

Do this three times in a row. When you walk into the lesson, those phrases will feel like second nature.

Final Thought

Homeschooling in a second language isn't easy. But you don't need to be a native speaker. You just need to be consistent. Use the same phrases. Repeat them. Your child will learn both the subject and the language alongside you.

Start small. Even five minutes a day builds confidence for both of you.

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