Europe
Online English lessons for children in Bosnia and Herzegovina: spelling, small words and safe choices
Quick answer
Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina usually learn English from primary school, and 1-to-1 online lessons add time to talk with a teacher. CurioKids teaches children aged 4 to 12 in live, 1-to-1, 25-minute online lessons with a real teacher. If lessons for families in Bosnia and Herzegovina haven't opened yet, our Bosnia and Herzegovina page has a waitlist.
Children in Bosnia and Herzegovina are usually taught English from primary school, and they come to it from home languages with regular spelling and no articles. That makes English spelling and the small words a and the the main things to practise, alongside plenty of speaking. Live 1-to-1 lessons online give your child time to talk with a teacher. This guide explains what is new in English for your child, how long lessons should be, and how to choose safely.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 8 min read
Key takeaways
- English is taught in schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, usually from primary school.
- Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian have regular spelling, so English spelling patterns need to be taught step by step.
- The home languages have no articles, so a and the take time and lots of listening to settle.
- Short, regular lessons suit young children, and safety rules matter as much as the teaching.
- Children can learn English alongside more than one home language or alphabet; mixing words for a while is normal.
On this page
When do children in Bosnia and Herzegovina learn English at school?
English is taught in schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, usually from primary school. When it begins, how many lessons a week there are and what each year covers can differ, so your child's school is the best source for what their class is learning now.
A school class gives children a steady base of words and phrases. What it rarely has room for is long stretches of talking for each child. If your child understands quite a lot but freezes when asked a question, or simply wants more, one-to-one practice is the natural next step.
How do the home languages compare with English?
The languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina are Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian, written in the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. Whichever your child speaks at home, two features shape how English feels to them.
- Regular spelling. In the home languages, words are spelled the way they sound. In English, the same sound can be written in several ways, and the same letters can make different sounds.
- No articles. The home languages have no words for a and the, so a child may say I have dog or Where is ball? for quite a while.
Neither of these is a problem. They simply tell you where your child will need the most practice, and where to be patient.
Which parts of English spelling need the most practice?
English has many vowel sounds and writes them in many ways. A child used to one letter, one sound can find that confusing, so it helps to know the trouble spots in advance.
| What happens | Examples |
|---|---|
| One sound, several spellings | see, sea, me |
| One spelling, several sounds | a in cat, cake and car |
| Short and long vowels that change meaning | ship and sheep, hop and hope |
| Letters you write but do not say | knee, lamb, write |
| Endings that carry meaning | cat and cats, jump and jumped |
The way through is to teach English sounds and their common spellings in a clear order, starting with simple words. That is phonics. Endings such as -s and -ed deserve special attention, because in English they change the meaning of a sentence even when they are hard to hear.
How can I help a and the settle in?
Grammar rules about articles mean little to a six-year-old. What works is hearing the words again and again in short, useful phrases. Try describing pictures together: a cat, a big cat, the cat is sleeping. Songs and rhymes help too, because the article becomes part of the rhythm.
When your child leaves an article out, you do not need to stop them. Just repeat the sentence back with the word in place and carry on. Over time, the right form starts to sound normal.
How long should an English lesson be for a young child?
Young children concentrate best in short bursts. A 25-minute lesson is long enough for a warm-up, some new language and a game, and short enough that your child finishes keen rather than tired. Once or twice a week, at the same time each week, builds a routine that sticks.
Children aged 4 to 12 differ a lot, so watch your child rather than the clock: if they are restless near the end, choose an earlier slot. How long should a child's lesson be? explains what suits each age.
What should I check before choosing an online English teacher?
- The teacher talks with your child live and adapts to their answers.
- Your child speaks for most of the lesson, not just listens.
- Teachers have been checked before they can teach children.
- Lessons happen only on the provider's own platform, never in private chats.
- You get feedback after lessons and can see your child's level.
- There is an easy way to raise a concern.
Our guide to choosing a safe online tutor explains each point, and our safety page sets out the rules we follow.
Is it a problem if my child hears more than one language or alphabet?
No. Children can learn two or more languages side by side, and switching between alphabets is a skill many children pick up with ease. English adds one more system, not a muddle. Mixing words for a while is normal and fades with practice. A bilingual child mixing languages explains what to expect.
How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
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.
For a child used to regular spelling at home, Phonics Starter takes English sounds and spellings one step at a time, so the less regular patterns feel manageable.
Visit our Bosnia and Herzegovina page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Bosnia and Herzegovina haven't opened yet, the page has a waitlist: leave your details and we'll let you know when you can book your child's free first lesson. Plans for families in Bosnia and Herzegovina are priced in euros: see the prices for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Frequently asked questions
When do children in Bosnia and Herzegovina start English?
English is usually taught from primary school. The exact year and number of lessons can differ, so your child's school is the best place to ask.
Why does my child spell English words the way they sound?
At home, words are spelled the way they sound, so your child is using a sensible rule. English needs its own sound and spelling patterns, which phonics teaches step by step.
My child often leaves out a and the. What can I do?
The home languages have no articles, so this is a very normal pattern. Repeat the sentence back with the right word, and use songs and picture games to give lots of practice.
How do I know an online English lesson is safe?
Look for checked teachers, lessons that stay on the provider's own platform, feedback after each lesson and a clear way to raise a concern. Sit nearby for the first lessons if your child is young.
Is my child too young at four for English lessons?
Not if the lessons suit their age. At four, English should feel like play, with songs, pictures and movement, and reading can wait until your child is settled in school.