South-East Asia
Online English lessons for children in the Philippines: from everyday English to confident reading and writing
Quick answer
Most children in the Philippines hear English every day, and 1-to-1 online lessons build fluent reading, accurate writing and confident speaking. 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 the Philippines haven't opened yet, our Philippines page has a waitlist.
English is an official language of the Philippines, so most children hear it every day: at school, on screens and around town. Many understand a lot before they start school. What often needs support is the next step: reading fluently with understanding, writing accurately and speaking at length with confidence. Live 1-to-1 online lessons can give your child that focused practice. This guide explains how.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 7 min read
Key takeaways
- Filipino and English are both official languages, and English is used widely at school, so it matters for every subject.
- Many children understand plenty of everyday English; lessons help most when they build reading, writing and longer speaking.
- Switching between languages in one conversation is normal for multilingual children and isn't a problem to fix.
- The Philippines shares a clock with Singapore and Malaysia and doesn't change it, so a weekly slot stays put all year.
On this page
How is English used in schools in the Philippines?
Filipino and English are the two official languages of the Philippines, and English has a large place in education. It is taught as a subject and is used to teach other subjects, especially as children move up through school. Many children also speak a regional language at home, such as Cebuano, Ilocano or Hiligaynon, so they grow up with two or three languages at once.
Policies on which language is used in which grade have changed over the years, so your child's school is the best source for what applies in their year. What doesn't change is that strong English reading and writing make learning easier across the timetable.
My child already speaks English. What can lessons add?
Hearing and using everyday English is a great start, and it gives children a head start many others don't have. But being comfortable chatting is not the same as reading a chapter book, writing a clear paragraph or giving a short talk in class. These skills grow with focused, regular practice, and that is where 1-to-1 lessons help.
- Reading with phonics. Sounding out new words accurately, so reading longer texts becomes easy. See what phonics is.
- Reading for meaning. Talking about what a story says and why, not just reading the words. See when a child reads but doesn't understand.
- Accurate writing. Spelling, full sentences and the small words that trip children up.
- Speaking at length. Telling a story, explaining an idea or describing a picture in several sentences.
Is it a problem if my child mixes Filipino and English?
No. Switching between languages in one conversation is something multilingual people everywhere do, children included. It shows your child is using everything they know to get their meaning across. Over time, with plenty of practice in each language, children learn to stay in one language when the situation calls for it, such as a lesson, an exam or a talk.
A 1-to-1 English lesson is a good place to practise that: the teacher gently encourages your child to find the English words, without making them feel they did anything wrong. Read bilingual children who mix languages for more.
When can a child in the Philippines fit in an online lesson?
The Philippines is on the same clock as Singapore and Malaysia and doesn't change its clocks during the year. A 25-minute lesson fits after school, roughly between 4pm and 8pm, or on a weekend morning. With no travel, a lesson can start soon after your child gets home, which helps on days when traffic makes everything late.
Pick one time and keep it each week. Children settle into lessons more quickly when they know when they're coming, and it's easier to protect the time from other plans. Check that the lesson times on offer suit your week before you book.
How do I know what level my child is at?
Ask your child's teacher which English skills are strongest and which need work. Many children in the Philippines are ahead in listening and speaking and need more support in reading and writing, or the other way round. The CEFR, an international scale, describes early levels for children as Pre-A1, A1 and A2, with “can do” statements for each skill. Read CEFR levels for children explained.
What does strong English reading look like at different ages?
| Age | Signs of strong reading |
|---|---|
| 4 to 5 | Knows many letter sounds and can blend short words like cat and sun |
| 6 to 7 | Reads simple books aloud and can retell what happened |
| 8 to 10 | Reads chapter books alone and can explain why a character did something |
| 11 to 12 | Reads for information, finds key points and gives opinions with reasons |
Children vary a lot, so use these as a rough guide, not a test. If your child is behind on one row, a teacher can usually find the gap quickly, often in the basics of sounding out words.
What should I look for in online English lessons?
- A real teacher, live, who adjusts to your child rather than following a script.
- 1-to-1 lessons, so the lesson works on your child's own gaps.
- A curriculum that covers reading and writing, not only conversation.
- Feedback after lessons, so you can see what improved and what is next.
- Clear safety rules: checked teachers, lessons only on the provider's platform and a way to report a concern.
How can I support English at home in the Philippines?
- Read together and take turns: you read a page, your child reads the next.
- Ask questions about stories: why did that happen, what would you do?
- Encourage short writing for real reasons: a birthday card, a list, a diary of the weekend.
- Keep your home languages going too; they support your child's thinking and identity.
How would CurioKids lessons work for a family in the Philippines?
CurioKids teaches children aged 4–12 in live, 1-to-1 online English lessons, 25 minutes each, with a real teacher in the CurioKids classroom. A child who already reads can be placed straight into a CEFR-based level after the free first lesson; younger children usually start with Phonics Starter. After lessons, you get teacher feedback, progress in your parent dashboard and a certificate when your child moves up a level. See our levels.
Visit our Philippines page to see how lessons work, what your child will learn and how we keep children safe. If lessons for families in the Philippines 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 Philippines are priced in Philippine pesos: see the prices for the Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
Do Filipino children need extra English lessons?
Not every child does. Lessons help most when a child wants more reading and writing practice, more confidence speaking at length, or support with a specific gap their teacher has noticed.
Is it bad that my child mixes Filipino and English?
No. Mixing languages is normal for children who grow up with more than one. With practice, children learn to stay in one language when they need to, such as in a lesson or an exam.
What time are online lessons for families in the Philippines?
We suggest choosing an after-school slot between about 4pm and 8pm, or a weekend morning. The Philippines doesn't change its clocks, so the same weekly slot works all year.
My child speaks well but reads slowly. What helps?
Check that they can sound out new words confidently using phonics, then read together often and talk about what you read. A 1-to-1 teacher can find exactly where reading slows down.