For students learning English as a second language, parental involvement is a vital component to mastery of skills. Learning to read, speak and write in another language will require the student to practice these skills at home and at school. Parents can take advantage of community resources that may help their children learn English both quickly and proficiently.

Library
Reading is a valuable skill that needs to be practiced over and over. The public library provides children with an opportunity to be read to, to borrow library books and to read both English books and books in their native language. Libraries have story times and language classes for both children and adults. Librarians can assist parents in choosing the best books to read to children who are learning English as a second language. Librarians are also excellent resources for books about culture, community resources and homework assistance. Encouraging parents and children to attend the library on a regular basis can enhance literacy skills, comprehension and help them meet new friends.

Parental ESL Classes
If parents are attending ESL classes themselves, children will see the importance of learning English. Most colleges and social service agencies have bilingual staff who can assist parents in finding ESL classes and groups for both themselves and their children. Adults may take ESL classes at local community colleges, community centers or social service agencies. Parents and children can study together, share fun family activities or games using the second language and work on their homework side by side. Parents who show their children the importance of studying and homework will not only help children learn a second language, but will instill academic responsibility.

Churches
Churches may help non-native speakers learn English by teaching classes, having bilingual services and bible studies and providing mentors that may help families learn English and American culture. Many churches offer free or inexpensive ESL classes for adults and children. Classes are taught by volunteers from the community and may use religious text for the teachings. Thus both parents and students can begin slowly acculturating to the culture and learning English while in a comfortable environment. Church pastors and members are often very welcoming and accommodating to non-native speakers.

Movie Theaters and Video Stores
Going to a movie theater to watch a movie or renting videos is an effective way to learn English. Cartoons and family movies may be the best options, as plots are easy to understand and the language is usually simpler. A video rental may give the family an option to repeat scenes over and over, until everybody understands the scene. Movie theaters advertise in the local paper, at churches and at schools, announcing any special bilingual events or movie showings available to non-native speakers. Schoolteachers and librarians may have a list of movies that parents can watch with their children to accelerate the learning of the new language.