Europe
Online English lessons for children in Slovakia: v and w, word endings and real conversation
Quick answer
Children in Slovakia learn English from the early primary years, so 1-to-1 online lessons add what school can't give: time to talk. 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 Slovakia haven't opened yet, our Slovakia page has a waitlist.
Children in Slovakia learn English from the early primary years, so it is usually a school subject from early on. What extra lessons can add is time to talk: live 1-to-1 lessons online give a child a teacher's full attention. This guide explains school English in Slovakia, the English sounds and grammar that are new to Slovak speakers, growing up with more than one language, and how to help at home.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 8 min read
Key takeaways
- English is taught from the early primary years in Slovakia.
- Slovak words don't use the letter w, so English v and w can sound the same at first.
- Slovak softens sounds at the end of words and has no articles, so endings and the little words a and the need practice.
- Children who already speak Slovak and Hungarian can add English too: mixing words for a while is normal.
On this page
How is English taught to children in Slovakia?
English is taught from the early primary years, so it is part of your child's week from early on. Your child's school is the best source for what their class covers this year and how it is marked, so ask the teacher if you are unsure.
School English gives children a good base of words and phrases. What a class finds harder to give is individual speaking time. With many children to listen to, a teacher can't hold a long conversation with each one. A 1-to-1 lesson turns that around: your child is the only speaker the teacher needs to listen to.
Why do v and w get mixed up?
The letter w is not one of the usual letters in Slovak words, so the English w sound, made with rounded lips as in window, is new. Slovak children may say west like vest, or wine like vine, until they have heard and felt the difference many times.
A simple game helps. Ask your child to say oo with round lips, then slide straight into a word: oo-water, oo-window. For v, the top teeth gently touch the bottom lip instead. A mirror makes it fun, and younger children love pulling faces to check.
What happens to the ends of words?
In Slovak, final consonants are softened, so a sound like d, g, b or z at the end of a word comes out closer to t, k, p or s. In English that can change the meaning: bag may sound like back, eyes like ice, and cab like cap. A listener usually works it out, but clear endings make your child easier to understand.
Endings carry grammar in English too. The -s in cats and the -ed in played tell you how many and when, so it is worth noticing them when you read together. Point at a picture of one dog and then two dogs, and let your child hear the s that changes.
How do I explain a and the to a Slovak speaker?
You don't have to explain much. Slovak has no articles, so a young child won't miss them, and grammar rules about a and the mean little at this age. Children pick articles up by hearing them in phrases again and again: a ball, the ball under the bed, an egg.
Picture books are ideal because the same phrases come back on every page. When your child says I have ball, answer with Oh, you have a ball! and carry on playing. Over months, the small words start to appear on their own.
Can a child who speaks Slovak and Hungarian learn English too?
Yes. Slovak is the home language in Slovakia, and Hungarian is also spoken in some areas, so some children may grow up with both. Children can learn two or more languages side by side, and English can join them without crowding them out.
Mixing words from different languages in one sentence is normal for a while. It shows your child is using every word they know to get their message across. Our guide on bilingual children mixing languages explains more and has tips for responding calmly.
How can I help with English at home without speaking it well?
Your interest matters more than your accent. Children aged 4 to 12 pick up a lot from short, relaxed moments in English.
- Read a short English picture book together, and keep reading in your home language too.
- Play sound games: what starts with s? What ends with t? Our guide to blending and segmenting shows how.
- Sing English songs with actions, which help younger children remember words.
- Ask your child to teach you one thing from their lesson each week.
Routine helps as much as the activities. Pick one regular slot for an online lesson, on a day that is not already full of clubs, and keep it the same each week. A child who knows that English happens on, say, Tuesday after a snack settles in far more quickly than one whose lesson moves around. Check that the lesson times on offer fit your week before you commit.
What changes can I expect after a few months of lessons?
Progress in a language is gradual, so it helps to know what to look for. With a regular 25-minute lesson and a little English at home, you might notice your child understanding more of what they hear, answering in longer phrases, reading simple words on their own and being less worried about mistakes. Some children speak a lot early; others listen for a long time first. Both are normal, and steady, enjoyable practice matters more than speed.
How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in Slovakia?
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 Slovakia, Phonics Starter takes English sounds one at a time, so a new sound like w is practised from the start.
Visit our Slovakia page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in Slovakia 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 Slovakia are priced in euros: see the prices for Slovakia.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my child say vest when they mean west?
The letter w is not part of ordinary Slovak words, so the English w sound is new. Rounding the lips as for oo before the word helps, and the difference comes with practice.
My child says back when they mean bag. Is that a problem?
It is a normal slip for Slovak speakers, because Slovak softens sounds at the end of words. It is not a problem, and listening carefully to English endings helps it improve over time.
Is English too much for a child who already speaks Slovak and Hungarian?
Usually not. Children can learn several languages side by side. Keep your home languages strong, and add English in small, enjoyable doses that suit your child.
My child has English at school in Slovakia. When are extra lessons worth it?
Extra lessons help most when your child wants more speaking time, finds reading in English hard, or is ready to move faster than the class. If your child is happy and doing well, there is no rush.
Should I correct my child's v and w every time?
No. Constant correcting can make a child say less. Say the word clearly yourself, play short sound games now and then, and let the difference come with listening and practice.