Online English lessons for children in Cambodia: starting well with a new alphabet

How do children in Cambodia learn English?

English is the main foreign language children learn in Cambodia today. It is taught in schools, and many families also choose English classes outside school, especially in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and other cities. Some private and international schools teach much of the timetable in English.

Because children start at different ages and in different settings, two children in the same class can have very different English. That's normal. The useful question is not what your child's classmates can do, but what your child can do now and what their next step is.

What does learning a new alphabet mean for my child?

Khmer is written in its own beautiful script, with its own consonants and vowels and its own way of arranging them. English uses the Latin alphabet, read strictly from left to right, and the link between letters and sounds is less regular than many children expect.

This is a real step, so it's worth taking carefully rather than rushing. Children do best when they learn a few letter sounds at a time, practise blending them into short words like sat, pin and dog, and then build up. That approach is called phonics. Read what phonics is and what CVC words are to see the first steps.

Which English sounds take practice for Khmer speakers?

Every first language makes some English sounds easier and some harder. Children who speak Khmer at home often need extra listening and practice with the th sounds in this and three, with endings that change meaning, such as s in cats and ed in jumped, and with English stress and rhythm, as in ba-NA-na. These improve with time and friendly practice; there's no need to correct every slip.

When can a child in Cambodia fit in an online lesson?

Cambodia doesn't change its clocks, so a weekly lesson stays at the same local time all year. We suggest choosing an after-school slot, roughly between 4pm and 8pm, or a weekend morning. A 25-minute lesson is short enough to fit around school and other classes, and there is no journey to make.

Choose a time when your child isn't too tired, and keep it the same each week. For online lessons you'll also want a steady internet connection: try a short video call at the same time of day first, and sit close to your router if you can. Headphones with a microphone help a lot in a busy home, because your child hears the teacher clearly and the teacher hears your child.

Is a 1-to-1 lesson better than a group class?

Both have a place. Group classes give children practice with other learners and can be fun and sociable. In a 1-to-1 lesson, your child has the teacher's full attention: they speak far more, the lesson moves at their pace, and the teacher can spend extra time on a sound or a word they find hard. For children learning a new alphabet, that personal attention is especially useful.

Some families combine both: a group class for fun and confidence, and a short 1-to-1 lesson for reading and speaking practice. If you do, keep the total manageable so your child still has time to play and rest.

What should I look for in online English lessons?

• A live teacher who talks and listens to your child, not recorded videos.
• 1-to-1 lessons, so your child gets plenty of speaking time.
• A clear course that teaches reading step by step with phonics.
• A starting level and feedback after lessons, so you can see progress.
• Short, lively lessons with games for younger children.
• Safety: checked teachers, lessons only on the provider's own platform, and a way to report a concern.

Our safe online tutor checklist explains what to ask any provider.

How do I know my child's English level?

The CEFR is an international scale that describes language ability with “can do” statements. For children, the early levels are Pre-A1, A1 and A2: from understanding familiar words with pictures, up to simple everyday conversations and short stories. See CEFR levels for children explained. In a first lesson, a teacher can usually tell where your child is comfortable and where to begin.

How can I support English at home, even if my English is limited?

• Show interest: ask your child to teach you three new English words each week.
• Look at English picture books together and name what you see.
• Play simple sound games, like finding things at home that start with m.
• Keep reading and talking in Khmer. A strong first language helps with a second.

How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Cambodia?

CurioKids gives children aged 4–12 live, 1-to-1 online English lessons with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, in the CurioKids online classroom with video, an interactive whiteboard, slides and games. Most children start with Phonics Starter, 52 lessons from letter sounds to reading sentences, then continue through CEFR-based levels. Read about our curriculum and how we keep children safe.

Visit our Cambodia page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Cambodia 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 Cambodia are priced in US dollars: see the prices for Cambodia.