Europe
Online English lessons for children in Romania: grammar, spelling and speaking with confidence
Quick answer
In Romania, English is often the modern language taught from the early primary years, and 1-to-1 online lessons add speaking time. 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 Romania haven't opened yet, our Romania page has a waitlist.
In Romania, a modern language is taught from the early primary years, and it is often English. Children quickly pick up words and songs, but a full class leaves little time for each of them to speak. Live 1-to-1 lessons online give your child that time with a teacher. This guide explains how English fits into school in Romania, what Romanian speakers find tricky in English, and how to support lessons at home, even if your own English is basic.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 8 min read
Key takeaways
- A modern language, often English, is taught in Romania from the early primary years.
- Romanian puts the definite article on the end of the noun, so English the in front of a word takes practice.
- Romanian spelling is regular, so English letter sounds and spelling patterns are best taught step by step.
- You can support English at home with songs, games and routines, without being fluent yourself.
- If your family also speaks Hungarian or another language, English can be added as a third; mixing words for a while is normal.
On this page
How does English fit into primary school in Romania?
A modern language is taught in Romania from the early primary years, and in many schools that language is English. Which year it begins, how often the class meets and what is covered can differ between schools, so your child's school is the best source for what their class is learning.
In any classroom, one teacher shares the lesson between many children. Listening and repeating as a group works well, but each child gets only a few turns to speak on their own. That is where extra practice helps most: not more worksheets, but real conversation with someone who listens and replies.
Why does the word the cause trouble for Romanian speakers?
In Romanian, the definite article is added to the end of the noun. Băiat is a boy, and băiatul is the boy. English puts the as a separate word in front: the boy, the cat, the house. For a Romanian-speaking child, that little word can feel like it is in the wrong place, so they may leave it out or forget it in longer sentences.
This is a normal stage, not a sign of a problem. The fix is lots of listening and short, repeated patterns: the red ball, the big dog, the little cat. A teacher can repeat your child's sentence back with the in place, so they hear the right form without feeling corrected.
Which letters and spellings are different in Romanian and English?
Romanian spelling is regular: once a child knows the letters, a written word tells them how to say it. Romanian also has letters English does not use, and two of them stand for sounds that English writes with other letters.
| Romanian letter | Its sound | How English writes it |
|---|---|---|
| ș | sh | sh, as in ship and fish |
| ț | ts | ts at the end of words, as in cats |
| ă, â, î | vowel sounds | no matching letters; English vowels follow their own patterns |
English is much less regular than Romanian. The same letter can stand for several sounds, and English has many vowel sounds written in many ways: a in cat, cake and car, for example. Children who expect one letter to make one sound need English spelling patterns taught in a clear order. That is what phonics does.
What if we speak Hungarian or another language at home?
Hungarian is also spoken in some areas of Romania, and if your family uses more than one language every day, English simply joins the mix. Children can learn two or more languages side by side, and English can be a third without causing confusion. Mixing words for a while is normal. Bilingual children mixing languages explains what to expect.
How can I build English into family life without being fluent?
A few relaxed minutes of English most days does more than one long session at the weekend. You do not need perfect English; you need enthusiasm and a routine.
- Songs in the car or kitchen. Action songs suit younger children; older ones may prefer songs from films they know.
- A bedtime picture book. Choose short English books with big pictures, and keep reading in Romanian too.
- Sound hunts. Pick a sound of the week, such as sh, and find things around the house that start with it.
- Show and tell. Ask your child to teach you one thing from their lesson. Explaining it helps them remember.
Phonics games at home has more ideas that need no special materials.
What if my child is too shy to speak English?
Many children understand a lot before they are ready to speak, and some are naturally careful about making mistakes. A 1-to-1 lesson helps because there is no class watching. A good teacher starts with games where pointing, nodding or a single word is enough, then builds up to full sentences as confidence grows.
At home, avoid asking your child to perform in English for visitors. Praise any attempt, and let them choose when to show off. When a child is shy to speak English has more practical tips.
What should a good online English lesson include?
- A live teacher who responds to your child, not a recording.
- Plenty of time for your child to talk, rather than to watch.
- A lesson short enough for your child's age, so attention stays high to the end.
- Games, pictures and movement for the youngest learners.
- Feedback after lessons, so you know what was practised.
- Clear safety rules and lessons that stay on the provider's own platform.
Children aged 4 to 12 all benefit from these points, whatever their level. How it works shows how our lessons are set up.
How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Romania?
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 Romanian-speaking child, Phonics Starter brings in English sounds and spellings one at a time, such as the sh that Romanian writes as ș.
Visit our Romania page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Romania 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 Romania are priced in Romanian lei: see the prices for Romania.
Frequently asked questions
When do children in Romania start English at school?
A modern language is taught from the early primary years, and it is often English. Your child's school can tell you which language their class learns and from which year.
Why does my child forget to say the in English?
In Romanian the article goes on the end of the noun, as in băiatul for the boy. Putting the in front is new, and it becomes natural with lots of listening.
We speak Hungarian and Romanian at home. Is English one language too many?
Most children cope well with three languages, especially when lessons are short and fun. Some mixing of words is normal for a while and passes with practice.
I do not speak much English. Can I still help my child?
Yes. Singing songs, reading picture books together and asking your child to teach you what they learned all help, even if your own English is basic.
How often should a young child have English lessons?
Once or twice a week suits many young children, with a few minutes of English at home in between. Keeping the same day and time each week turns lessons into a habit.