Online English lessons for children in the Maldives: English at school, from any island

How is English used in schools in the Maldives?

English is the main language of teaching for most subjects in Maldivian schools, while Dhivehi and some other subjects are taught in Dhivehi. Children start meeting English early, and by the upper primary years they read textbooks, answer questions and write in English across the timetable. Later, many students take international exams in English at secondary level.

Schools and islands differ, so your child's school is the best source for what they expect in each grade. What's true everywhere is that a child who reads English easily and understands what they read finds school easier.

What does it mean to learn in two scripts?

Dhivehi is written in Thaana, from right to left. English is written in the Latin alphabet, from left to right. Young children learning both are doing something impressive, and it's normal for them to mix up letters that face different ways, such as b and d, for a while.

Clear phonics helps. When children learn English letter sounds in a set order and practise blending them into short words, reading English becomes steady and predictable. See what phonics is and blending and segmenting.

Which English skills help most across school subjects?

• Sounding out new words, so long subject words don't stop your child.
• Understanding what they read: see when a child reads but doesn't understand.
• Instruction words like explain, compare, label and describe.
• Writing in full sentences, in their own words.
• Speaking up in class, which comes from regular practice in a safe setting.

What age should my child start extra English?

There's no single right age. From around four, short and playful lessons built on songs, pictures, games and letter sounds help children enjoy English and get used to its sounds and its left-to-right letters, with no pressure to write. From six or seven, as reading in both Dhivehi and English grows at school, extra lessons can focus on fluent reading and understanding. Older children often benefit most from help with reading for meaning and writing, as school work in English becomes more demanding. See English for 4-year-olds and English at 6 and 7.

Can online lessons work for families on smaller islands?

Yes. One of the biggest advantages of online lessons is that your child can learn with a skilled teacher wherever you live, with no ferry or flight. What matters is a steady connection. Try a short video call at your planned lesson time first, sit close to your router, and use a laptop or tablet if you can.

If the connection is weaker at busy times, an earlier slot or a weekend morning may work better. Headphones with a microphone help your child hear the teacher clearly in a busy home. If the connection drops, rejoin calmly; a short break is part of learning online, and children soon take it in their stride.

When can a child in the Maldives fit in an online lesson?

The Maldives doesn't change its clocks, so a weekly slot stays at the same local time all year. The simplest option is usually to choose a 25-minute lesson after school, between about 4pm and 8pm, or a weekend morning. The weekend is Friday and Saturday, so a Saturday morning can be a calm time for a lesson. Plan around prayer times and family routines, and keep the slot the same each week.

What should I look for in online English lessons?

• A live, real teacher who listens and responds to your child.
• 1-to-1 lessons that follow your child's level.
• Reading with phonics, and lots of talk about what your child reads.
• Feedback after lessons so you know what to practise.
• 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.

To describe progress on an international scale, the CEFR uses “can do” statements. Its early levels for children are Pre-A1, A1 and A2. See CEFR levels for children explained.

How can I support English at home in the Maldives?

• Read together most days, in English and in Dhivehi.
• Ask your child to explain a school topic to you in English, such as how the tides work or why the reef matters.
• Talk about the sea, boats, fish and weather in English: there's lots to describe.
• Praise effort and keep it relaxed, so your child enjoys using English.
• Keep a small shelf of English picture books and chapter books your child can choose from themselves.

How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in the Maldives?

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. Younger children usually start with Phonics Starter, 52 lessons from letter sounds to reading sentences; a child who already reads can be placed straight into a CEFR-based level after the free first lesson. See our curriculum and safety pages.

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