Improving School English: Grammar, Homework Help & Better Marks Through Online Support
For many parents, supporting a child’s English skills is not just about language ability. It is also about helping them feel confident in school, understand their lessons, score well in assessments and communicate clearly with teachers and classmates. Whether your child attends an English medium school or studies English as a second language, strong skills in grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing make every subject easier.
Children who feel secure in their English are more willing to participate in class, complete assignments independently and express their ideas clearly. Children who struggle with English often struggle with subjects like science, geography or history because the instructions, explanations and questions are all written in English.
The good news is that parents can help significantly. With the right routines, strategies and home environment, a child aged 5 to 12 can make rapid improvements that lead to better marks and greater confidence in school.
This guide explains what English skills matter most, how children can build them consistently, and how parents can support learning at home even without perfect English themselves.
Why English Skills Matter for School Success 🏫
Many school subjects rely heavily on English. Even maths word problems require good comprehension. When a child has a solid grasp of English, they find it easier to:
understand teacher instructions
follow classroom lessons
complete homework accurately
read textbooks and worksheets
answer test questions clearly
express their ideas and opinions
Strong English supports learning across every subject. Children who read confidently and understand grammar find school more enjoyable because they spend less time struggling with confusing vocabulary or unclear instructions.
For children learning English as a second language, strong school English also boosts confidence in social situations. They feel more comfortable speaking to teachers, joining group activities and making friends.
The English Skills Schools Expect Children to Have 📚
While every school has its own curriculum, most expect children to have core skills in four areas by the time they reach upper primary.
1. Vocabulary 🗣️
Children should understand common school vocabulary such as instructions, question words and topic based terms. A strong vocabulary helps them follow lessons more quickly.
2. Grammar 💭
Children need basic grammar to form accurate sentences. Schools expect knowledge of verb tenses, plurals, adjectives, adverbs and sentence structure.
3. Reading comprehension 📖
Children must understand stories, information texts and short passages. They should be able to identify main ideas, make simple inferences and answer questions in full sentences.
4. Writing ✏️
Children are expected to write short paragraphs, answer questions clearly and use correct punctuation.
If your child struggles in any of these areas, improving their English at home can make an immediate difference in school performance.
How to Strengthen Grammar Without Stress 💪
Grammar can feel intimidating, but children learn it more easily than adults when it is taught through simple explanations and real examples. The key is to focus on clarity, not complexity.
Start with the basics
Children should first master simple grammar, such as:
capital letters
full stops
plurals
subject verb agreement
simple present and past tense
Once these become automatic, more complex grammar feels less overwhelming.
Use real examples
Instead of teaching grammar rules in isolation, use examples from your child’s daily life.
For example:“She walk to school” becomes “She walks to school.”
This shows the rule clearly without long explanations.
Encourage complete sentences
When your child answers a question, ask them to respond in a full sentence. This builds grammar naturally.
Highlight grammar in stories
When reading, point out simple structures, such as verbs or describing words. Children learn a lot from repeated exposure.
With consistent practice, grammar becomes instinctive rather than forced.
Improving Your Child’s English Marks in School 📈
School English tests typically assess vocabulary, comprehension, grammar and writing. Improving these areas can significantly raise marks. Here are strategies that we’d recommend for children aged 5 to 12:
Build a strong reading habit
Reading is the most powerful way to improve English marks. Children who read regularly:
encounter new vocabulary
absorb grammar naturally
recognise sentence structure
understand stories and ideas easily
Aim for 10 to 20 minutes of reading each day.
Practise comprehension using short passages
Choose age appropriate comprehension texts with simple questions. Start with literal questions and gradually add inferential ones.
Strengthen vocabulary weekly
Children can learn vocabulary through themes: animals, school, food, hobbies, nature or places. Themed words stick more easily and often appear in classroom tasks.
Encourage neat handwriting and organisation
Teachers reward clarity. Children who write neatly and structure their answers well often receive higher marks.
Review common test phrases
Phrases like “explain your answer”, “give one reason” or “use evidence from the text” appear in most English assessments. Understanding these phrases boosts confidence.
A child who knows how to interpret test instructions instantly improves their scores.
Daily Home Practices That Improve School English ✅
You do not need long study sessions to support English learning. Short, consistent routines make a big difference.
Morning quick practice ☀️
Ask one question in English each morning. Simple questions like “What are your plans today” help your child speak naturally.
After school review 🏫
Spend three minutes reviewing one new word or idea learned in school that day.
Evening reading time 🌙
A short shared reading session reinforces vocabulary and builds comprehension.
Weekend writing practice 🗓️
Children can write a few sentences about their week, a favourite activity or a short story idea.
These routines strengthen school English gradually and sustainably.
Helping Children Understand Classroom English 📕
Sometimes children understand English at home but struggle in class because school English is more formal, structured and vocabulary rich. Parents can help by exposing their child to classroom style English regularly.
Teach key instructions
Children should recognise common classroom phrases such as:
underline the answer
circle the correct option
write in full sentences
explain your choice
compare and describe
match the words
When children understand instructions confidently, they complete tasks faster and with fewer mistakes.
Read more informational texts
Schools use many non-fiction texts. Reading informational books about animals, space, inventions, planets or famous people helps children understand classroom topics more easily.
Practise listening skills
Watching short educational videos and discussing the content helps children follow teacher explanations in school.
Exposure to school style English improves classroom confidence significantly.
How Online English Lessons Help With School Performance 💻
Online English lessons can support school English when they include:
vocabulary building
reading comprehension
writing activities
grammar explanation
speaking practice
Children benefit because online lessons are:
Interactive: Children answer questions, take part in discussions and practise new skills regularly.
Structured: Lessons follow a clear sequence, which supports school curriculum learning.
Engaging: Games, quizzes and visuals hold children’s attention.
Flexible: Children can learn at home without travel or time pressure.
Online lessons are especially helpful for children who struggle with grammar or comprehension in school. Structured teaching gives them the clarity and reassurance they need.
Helping Your Child With School Writing Tasks 📝
Writing can be one of the most challenging skills for young learners, particularly if they lack vocabulary or confidence. Parents can support writing at home by focusing on three simple areas:
1. Sentence building
Encourage your child to build sentences using:
who (the subject)
what (the action)
where (the place)
For example:
“The boy is running in the park.”
This template works for all ages.
2. Expanding ideas
Help your child improve writing by encouraging:
adjectives
time words (first, next, then, finally)
conjunctions (because, and, but)
These small additions make writing clearer and more detailed.
3. Checking work
Teach your child to check:
capital letters
full stops
spelling of simple words
spacing
A quick check can raise marks significantly.
Strong writing skills help children across all subjects.
20 Useful Grammar and School English Words Children Should Learn 🧠
Below is a high impact vocabulary list that supports reading, writing and comprehension in school.
Core school vocabulary
explain
describe
compare
identify
choose
complete
underline
match
correct
statement
Grammar and sentence structure words
adjective
verb
noun
subject
sentence
paragraph
question
answer
reason
example
Mastering these terms helps children understand teacher instructions faster and respond more accurately on assessments.
Helping Your Child When English Is Not Your First Language 😱
Parents who are not fluent in English often worry that they cannot help. In reality, your support is incredibly valuable.
You can help your child by:
reading stories in both your native language and English
asking your child to teach you what they learned
using simple English phrases at home
encouraging independent reading
praising effort and progress
Your positive attitude contributes more to your child’s success than perfect grammar ever could.
Strong School English Opens Doors
When a child improves their English for school, everything becomes easier. Lessons feel clearer, homework feels manageable, and tests become less stressful. Children participate more actively, ask questions with greater confidence, and enjoy learning more.
With steady home routines, simple reinforcement and support from online lessons or schoolwork, children aged 5 to 12 can become confident, capable English learners. Strong English skills today lead to stronger academic performance and greater opportunities tomorrow.
To get started with our online English tuition, sign up to our email newsletter below.
