When children start learning English, it’s natural for them to make mistakes—after all, that’s how learning works! But some mistakes tend to repeat often, especially in speaking. These may be tiny grammar slips or words that are hard to pronounce. The key is to gently correct them in ways that feel fun, not frustrating.
Here are some of the most common mistakes kids make in spoken English—and how we can help them fix those in simple, friendly ways.
1. Using the Wrong Verb Tense
❌ “Yesterday I go to school.”
✅ “Yesterday I went to school.”
Why it happens: Kids often use the present tense because it feels easiest.
How to fix it: Use storytelling games! Ask your child to talk about their day in the past tense. You can model the sentence first and encourage them to copy. Example: “Tell me three things you did today.”
2. Missing “-s” for Third Person
❌ “He walk to school.”
✅ “He walks to school.”
Why it happens: It’s easy to forget the small “-s” at the end.
How to fix it: Make a “detective game” out of spotting the missing “s” in sentences. Use pictures of people doing actions and ask your child to describe them correctly.
3. Confusing “a” and “an”
❌ “I saw an elephant and a apple.”
✅ “I saw an elephant and an apple.”
Why it happens: They haven’t yet learned when to use “a” vs. “an.”
How to fix it: Teach the sound rule: use “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. Turn it into a fun quiz game where they choose between “a” and “an” for different words.
4. Pronunciation Mix-Ups
Some tricky words often get mispronounced:
❌ “skool” instead of “school”
❌ “pis” instead of “please”
Why it happens: Kids are still figuring out how English sounds work.
How to fix it: Break the word into sounds and clap with each syllable. Singing or chanting the correct pronunciation can also make it stick. Always model the correct form without scolding.
5. Overusing “Is” or “Was”
❌ “He is went home.”
✅ “He went home.”
Why it happens: Kids often mix up helping verbs and main verbs.
How to fix it: Practice sentence building with picture cards. Use two columns—verbs with “is/was” and verbs that stand alone. Let them match correctly and explain why.
6. Mixing Up “He” and “She”
❌ “She is my brother.”
✅ “He is my brother.”
Why it happens: This is common in many bilingual households.
How to fix it: Use real family photos or cartoon characters to practice. Say “Who is he? Who is she?” until the idea becomes natural.
A Gentle Reminder for Parents and Teachers:
Mistakes are not failures—they’re proof that learning is happening. Instead of correcting harshly, turn each mistake into a mini-lesson filled with smiles, praise, and patience. When kids feel safe, they speak more—and that’s when the real magic begins.
🎯 Want Your Child to Speak English Confidently and Correctly?
At American Council Academia, our kid-friendly English programs are designed to build confidence, correct common speaking mistakes, and develop natural fluency—step by step, smile by smile.
We combine speaking games, real-life practice, and gentle correction to make learning English joyful and effective for every child.📲 Call or message us at +94 710 513 101 to learn more and enroll.
Let’s help your child find their English voice—strong, clear, and full of confidence!