Usually no. At this age, learning English relies largely on listening and speaking — oral skills that don't require literacy. Even if your child is just beginning to read and write, they can enjoyably meet English through spoken means. What matters is that the lesson appeals to the ear first, as is appropriate for this age.
Detailed Explanation
This worry is very common, but rest assured: just starting to read and write is not an obstacle to learning English. Because at this age, language learning proceeds primarily by ear — through listening and speaking.
Oral skills come before writing
In language acquisition, oral language (listening and speaking) forms the foundation of reading and writing. As literacy resources such as Reading Rockets note, children acquire a language first by hearing and using it; writing is built on this foundation later. So even if your child is just learning letters, they can readily learn English sounds, words, and simple patterns by listening.
The lesson fitting this age
At this age, a well-designed online lesson greets the child not with long writing exercises but with visuals, songs, games, and speaking activities. As the child progresses in reading and writing, English writing is added gradually and on top of the oral foundation. So struggle is largely prevented when the lesson's structure fits the child.
Suggestions for parents
- Make sure the lesson is based on listening and speaking, not writing.
- Prefer visually supported (picture-based) activities; reading text isn't required.
- Don't push the child on writing too early; the oral foundation comes first.
- Also watch their reading-writing development in the mother tongue; the two support each other.
Expert Note — Andrea Massari Rosario
With students just starting to read and write, I prefer to introduce English through the spoken language first. Writing settles much more easily when it comes on top of a solid oral foundation. So at this age, the answer to "will they struggle?" depends largely on whether the lesson is set up correctly.
Related Terms
- Oral language: Listening and speaking skills; the foundation of reading and writing.
- Emergent literacy: Skills based on listening and language awareness that prepare a child for reading and writing.
- Visually supported learning: An approach using visuals to ease comprehension.