How to help with homework when school is in English and home isn't

4 October 2026 · 6 min read

Many children learn in English at school while their family speaks another language at home. Homework can then feel twice as hard: the subject is new, and so are the words. You can still help a lot, even if your English isn't perfect.

Can I help with homework if my English isn't strong?

Yes. You don't need to explain every word. Your most useful jobs are a calm routine, good questions and interest in what your child learns. Ask your child to teach you the page: explaining it to you is one of the best ways for them to understand it.

Should we talk about homework in our home language?

Talking about the ideas in your home language is fine and can help your child understand them. The answers then go into English, the way school expects. A good habit is to agree on the key English words of each lesson, so your child can use them in their answers.

What if my child doesn't understand a word and says nothing?

Many children go quiet instead of asking. They freeze, say "I don't know", or guess. Give them one sentence to use every time: "What does this word mean?" Praise them for asking, keep a short list of new words, and look back at it the next day.

How can homework build my child's English, not just get done?

Small habits help: answer in full sentences, say the answer out loud before writing it, and explain one thing in their own words. Each one turns homework into speaking and vocabulary practice, so your child learns to express their ideas, not just to find the right answer.

Answer in a full sentence, not one word.
Say it out loud first, then write it.
Explain one thing from the page in their own words.
Three new words a week, used in a sentence.

What can I do when I can't explain the method?

Look for how the book itself explains it: there's often a worked example near the task. Ask the teacher for an example or the words they use in class. Help from a tutor or a tool is most useful when it works from the same book, so the method matches school.