Online English lessons for children in Europe: a parent's guide by country

Which countries does this guide cover?

We have a guide for parents in each of these 36 countries, written for families with children aged 4 to 12. Each one covers school English there, the home language and what it means for learning English, and practical tips.

• Western and central Europe: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
• The Nordic countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
• Southern Europe: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
• Central and eastern Europe: Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia.
• The Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
• South-eastern Europe: Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Moldova and Ukraine.

How does English fit into school across Europe?

In most European countries, English is taught as a subject from the primary years, and it continues through secondary school. The year it starts, the hours it gets and the way it is taught differ between countries, and often between regions or schools within one country. Your child's school is always the best source for what their class covers this year.

Broadly, families are in one of three situations, and knowing which one is yours tells you what extra lessons should focus on.

• English is the first new language. In many countries, English is the first language children add at school. Children often understand more than they can say, so speaking time matters most.
• English comes after another language. In Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the regions of Spain with their own language, children often learn another national or regional language first, and English comes second or third. A clear, step-by-step start works best.
• English is all around. In countries where children hear a lot of English in songs, games and videos, they often pick up words early. Lessons then help most with confident speaking, accurate reading and writing.

Does my child's home language change how they learn English?

Yes, in a few useful ways. The first is the alphabet. Children who read Greek, or Cyrillic as in Bulgaria, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Serbia, are learning a new set of letters. Some look the same as English letters but stand for different sounds: in Cyrillic, Р is an r sound and В a v sound. Those letters deserve careful teaching.

The second is spelling. Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Croatian, Serbian and many other European languages are spelled very regularly, so a child can read almost any word once they know the letters. English spelling is less regular, which can surprise them. Phonics gives children a clear route into English reading whatever their first language.

The third is sounds and grammar. Many European languages have no th sound, although Greek, Icelandic and Albanian do, and so does the Spanish of most of Spain. Slavic and Baltic languages, Finnish and Estonian have no words for a and the, so children need practice with them. Finnish, Estonian and Hungarian use one word for he and she, so mixing them up is common at first. Each country guide describes what to expect.

Where do the CEFR and Cambridge Starters, Movers and Flyers fit?

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the scale used across Europe to describe language ability. For young learners, the first levels are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. CEFR Pre-A1, A1 and A2 correspond to the Cambridge English Young Learners levels Starters, Movers and Flyers. CurioKids is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press and Assessment. These exams are optional. They can give a keen child a goal, but regular speaking and reading practice matters more than any test date. Read CEFR levels for children explained for what each level means.

When do online lessons fit in a European school week?

School days, holidays and free afternoons differ across Europe, but a 25-minute lesson is short enough to fit almost anywhere: after school once homework is done, before dinner, or on a weekend morning. With no travel, a short lesson is practical even on busy days.

Pick a slot when your child is fresh rather than tired, and keep it the same each week so it becomes part of the routine. Most of Europe changes its clocks in spring and autumn, so if your child has lessons with a teacher in another country, check the time after each change.

What should I look for in online English lessons?

• A live teacher who talks with your child, not videos or an app alone.
• 1-to-1 time, so your child does most of the talking.
• A lesson length that suits your child's age, with games for the youngest.
• A clear level and a plan, so you can see progress over the months.
• Feedback after lessons in words you understand.
• Clear safety rules: checked teachers, lessons only inside the provider's own classroom, and an easy way to report a concern.

Our guides on what to look for in a free first lesson and raising a child who mixes languages go into more detail.

How would CurioKids lessons work for families in Europe?

CurioKids gives children aged 4 to 12 live, 1-to-1 online English lessons with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, in the CurioKids online classroom with video, an interactive whiteboard, lesson slides and games. Most children start with Phonics Starter; a child who already reads can be placed straight into a CEFR-based level after the free first lesson. Phonics Starter is our 52-lesson reading course, from letter sounds to reading sentences. Teachers can't teach until our team has confirmed a background check and they have signed our teaching agreement. Lessons happen only inside the CurioKids classroom, and your child's teacher gives feedback after lessons. See our levels and safety pages for more.

Each country has its own page (in the table above), where you can see how lessons work. Where lessons are open, you can book a free first lesson there; where they haven't opened yet, leave your details on the page's waitlist and we'll let you know when you can book.