South and Central Asia
Online English lessons for children in Pakistan: building confidence beyond the classroom
Quick answer
Many children in Pakistan read and write English well but feel less sure speaking it, so 1-to-1 online lessons add regular conversation. 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 Pakistan haven't opened yet, our Pakistan page has a waitlist.
In Pakistan, English is an official language and a key part of schooling, whether your child attends an English-medium school or studies English as a subject alongside Urdu. Many children read and write English well in class but feel less sure speaking it. Live 1-to-1 online lessons give your child relaxed, regular conversation with a teacher, plus support with reading and writing, from home. This guide explains what to look for and how to fit lessons in.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 7 min read
Key takeaways
- Urdu is Pakistan's national language and English an official one; many schools teach in English, others teach it as a subject.
- Many children also speak a regional language at home, so English may be their third language, which is a real strength.
- Urdu is written right to left in its own script, so English letters and direction are new for young readers.
- Pakistan keeps the same clock all year, so a weekly after-school slot is easy to plan.
On this page
How is English taught in schools in Pakistan?
Urdu is Pakistan's national language and English is an official language, used widely in education, government and business. Many private schools are English-medium, teaching most subjects in English, and some prepare students for O and A Level exams later on. In many other schools, lessons are mainly in Urdu or a regional language, and English is taught as a subject.
Because of this, two children of the same age can have very different English. Your child's school is the best source for what they expect in each class, and a teacher who hears your child speak and read can tell you where to focus next.
Why are some children strong on paper but shy to speak?
In a busy class, children spend much more time reading, copying and writing than speaking. They learn vocabulary and grammar, and can do well in written work, but get few chances to put sentences together out loud with someone who replies. Speaking confidence only grows through practice, and the fear of making mistakes can make children hold back even more.
A 1-to-1 lesson changes that balance. Your child talks for much of the lesson, and a patient teacher treats mistakes as part of learning. Often a lot of English is already there, waiting for a chance to come out. Our guide for when a child is shy to speak English has ideas to try at home too.
English as a second or third language: is that a problem?
Not at all. Many children in Pakistan speak Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Saraiki, Balochi or another language at home, learn Urdu at school, and add English. Children are very capable of learning several languages, and each one makes the next a little easier. Mixing languages in one sentence is a normal stage, not confusion. Read bilingual children who mix languages.
What does learning to read English involve for an Urdu reader?
Urdu is written from right to left in its own script, where letters change shape depending on their position in a word. English is written from left to right, with separate letters that keep their shape. For young readers, that's a lot to get used to, and mixing up letters like b and d is common for a while.
Phonics helps by teaching English letter sounds in a clear order and practising them in short words first, like sat, pin and dog. Children who learn this way can read new words on their own, rather than memorising each one. See what phonics is and what CVC words are.
When can a child in Pakistan fit in an online lesson?
Pakistan doesn't change its clocks, so a weekly lesson stays at the same local time all year. We suggest choosing a 25-minute slot after school, between about 4pm and 8pm, once your child has eaten and rested, or a weekend morning. With no travel, a lesson fits between homework, tuition and family time.
If power cuts or slow internet sometimes affect your area, plan for them: choose a time when your connection is usually steadier, keep the device charged, and test with a short video call first. Headphones with a microphone help your child hear the teacher clearly in a busy home.
What should I look for in online English lessons?
- A live, real teacher who talks with your child, not recorded videos.
- 1-to-1 lessons with plenty of speaking time.
- Reading taught through phonics for younger children.
- A clear level and feedback after lessons.
- Short, lively lessons with games for younger children.
- Clear safety rules: checked teachers, lessons only inside the provider's classroom, and a way to report a concern.
Our safe online tutor checklist lists the questions to ask any provider.
How can I tell what level my child's English is at?
The CEFR is an international scale that describes language ability in “can do” terms, so it works whatever your child's school or board. For young learners, the early levels are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. Read CEFR levels for children explained for what each means in practice.
How can I support English at home in Pakistan?
- Have one short English conversation a day, about something your child cares about.
- Read English stories together and ask what might happen next.
- Let your child choose English cartoons or songs, then talk about them.
- Praise effort, not perfection, and keep Urdu and your home language strong too.
How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Pakistan?
CurioKids gives children aged 4–12 live, 1-to-1 online English lessons with a real teacher, 25 minutes each, in the CurioKids classroom: video, an interactive whiteboard, lesson slides and games. Most children start with Phonics Starter, which teaches reading sound by sound, then move on to CEFR-based levels. Teachers can't teach until our team has confirmed a background check and they have signed our teaching agreement. See our curriculum and safety pages.
Visit our Pakistan page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Pakistan 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 Pakistan are priced in US dollars: see the prices for Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
My child writes English well but won't speak it. What helps?
Regular, low-pressure conversation. In a 1-to-1 lesson with a patient teacher, your child speaks for much of the time and learns that mistakes are fine, which builds confidence quickly.
Is it confusing for a child to learn Urdu, English and a home language?
No. Children can learn several languages at once, and mixing them for a while is normal. Keep the home language strong and give English its own regular time.
What time are online lessons for children in Pakistan?
It usually works best to choose an after-school slot between about 4pm and 8pm, or a weekend morning. Pakistan doesn't change its clocks, so a weekly slot stays at the same local time.
Why does my child mix up b and d?
It is common for young readers, especially those who also read a right-to-left script. It usually settles with practice. Simple tricks, like linking b to a bat and ball, help.