Online English lessons for children in Paraguay: English as a third language alongside Spanish and Guarani

Can a child who speaks Spanish and Guarani learn English as well?

Yes. Paraguay has two official languages, Spanish and Guarani, and many children grow up with both. For them, English is a third language. Children are well able to learn two or three languages side by side, as long as each one gets regular, friendly use.

You may hear your child mix languages, using a Guarani or Spanish word in an English sentence or the other way round. That is normal. It shows they are reaching for the words they know, and it fades as each language grows. Our guide on a bilingual child mixing languages explains this stage in more detail.

The most helpful thing you can do is keep using your home languages naturally. English does not need to replace anything; it is one more language your child can enjoy.

How does English fit in at school in Paraguay?

What English your child gets, and from which year, depends on their school. Your child's school is the best source for what their class covers. Whatever the school offers, a class has many children and one teacher, so time to speak is short. A 1-to-1 lesson adds exactly that: a teacher listening to your child and answering them.

Which English sounds are new for Spanish speakers?

Spanish and English share the same alphabet and plenty of words, which gives children a head start. A few sounds need extra listening.

• Vowels. Spanish has five vowel sounds, while English has many more. Sit and seat, or cap and cup, can sound the same to a child at first.
• B and v. In Spanish these letters sound the same, so boat and vote need careful listening and copying.
• Th. There is no th in Latin American Spanish, so three may sound like tree or sree for a while.
• Word endings. English endings carry meaning: cat and cats, walk and walked. Children need to hear them clearly before they start saying them.

Two false friends worth sharing: éxito in Spanish means success, not exit, and carpeta is a folder, not a carpet. A quick laugh about them helps children remember the English meaning.

What age is a good time to start English lessons?

There is no perfect age. Children aged 4 to 12 can all enjoy English when the lesson matches their stage.

• Four to six. English through songs, puppets, pictures and action games. The aim is listening, copying and having fun.
• Six to eight. As children learn to read at school, English phonics teaches the sounds of English letters. Our guide to English at 6 and 7 covers this stage.
• Eight to twelve. Longer answers, stories and simple writing, built around your child's own interests.

How can lessons fit around the school year in Paraguay?

The school year in Paraguay runs from about February to November or December, with the long summer break around December to February. A 25-minute lesson is easy to fit on a weekday afternoon or at the weekend. Pick a time when your child is not too tired, and keep it the same each week so it becomes routine.

Keeping going through the summer holiday is worthwhile. A short lesson each week stops English from fading over the break and helps your child start the new school year feeling confident.

What if my child is shy about speaking a third language?

Some children are happy to understand but slow to speak, especially in a new language. That is fine. A patient teacher starts with games, pointing and one-word answers, then builds up. Praise any attempt, avoid putting your child on the spot in front of relatives, and let them show you their English when they feel ready. Our guide on a child who is shy to speak English has more tips.

What makes an online English lesson worth your time?

• A real teacher who talks with your child live and responds to what they say.
• One teacher and one child, so your child speaks for much of the lesson.
• A lesson length that suits your child's age, with plenty of variety for the youngest.
• A clear starting level and regular feedback, so you can follow progress.
• Safety rules you can read in advance, including where lessons take place and how to raise a concern.

You can learn a lot from a first lesson. See our guide to choosing a safe online tutor for the questions worth asking before you start.

How can a family in Paraguay practise English at home?

A few minutes of English most days does more than one long session. None of these ideas need fluent English:

• Sing one English song together each week until everyone knows the words.
• Share a picture book in English, and keep reading stories in Spanish or Guarani too.
• Play I spy with English sounds on the way to school.
• Ask your child to be the teacher and show you what they learned.

How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Paraguay?

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 in Paraguay who already moves between Spanish and Guarani, Phonics Starter offers a step-by-step start with English reading.

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