5 ways to build your language skills for the 11+ as a bilingual learner

Taking the 11 plus as a bilingual learner can be difficult and may feel impossible. But, we’re happy to say, it’s not. Each year, many students whose first language isn’t English take the 11+ exam and get places at their target schools. With the right preparation, your child can too.

One of the biggest challenges bilingual learners face is understanding the questions. The 11 plus isn’t just about knowing or remembering an answer—it’s about knowing what the question is asking and being able to answer confidently. They need to understand the words, sentence structure and small differences that could change the meaning of a question. This might take more time to learn than native English speakers but with regular practice, it’ll get easier.

Being bilingual also has its advantages. Often, bilingual children can have strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They’re also good at noticing different language patterns. By building on these abilities, your child can turn being bilingual into a strength rather than a hurdle when taking the 11+ exam.

Here are 5 ways your child can build their language skills.

5 ways to build your child’s language skills

1. Focus on vocabulary

Vocabulary is an important part of any language-learning journey. It helps to build understanding and fluency. When your child takes the 11 plus exam, they won’t just be tested on what words mean but also on how they understand texts, their writing skills, their ability to solve problems and more.

Having a larger vocabulary will help your child feel more confident on exam day, especially if they’ve learnt words that will appear on the exam. For example, a question might ask them what an antonym or a synonym is. If your child doesn’t know these words, they’ll lose out on getting marks. That’s why including exam vocabulary is vital.

If possible, it’s good to learn at least 5-10 new words a week. These can be everyday words or ones you might find on the 11 plus—you can use past papers as a reference. Using flashcards is a fantastic way to learn words and revise. There are plenty of apps, such as Quizlet that allow you to create your own digital flashcards, or you can use paper ones. Doing little and often alongside consistent repetition is one of the best ways to revise.

2. Understanding context

Once your child has started to build their vocabulary, the next step is context. This means knowing how words fit into sentences and how their meanings can change in different situations. Bilingual learners need to know how words are used and function in real-life examples.

When your child has a good bank of vocabulary words, start to put them into sentences. Get them to write five sentences using a specific word or phrase. Look at examples and 11+ papers and get your child to find the word in a sentence. This will help them get used to seeing words in context and how words can change depending on a sentence.

Context also helps with misunderstandings. Many English words look or sound the same but mean different things. Take ‘there, their, and they’re’ as an example - all these words sound the same but have different meanings depending on the context.

• There is for a location or place

• Their is a possessive pronoun

• They’re is a contraction of ‘they are’

If you’re new to English, this can be confusing. But, learning words in context makes them easier to remember and use correctly.

3. Read widely

Reading helps to put vocabulary and contextual learning together. It allows your child to build upon these skills while practising their comprehension skills. It helps bilingual learners become familiar with English expressions, sentence structure and cultural details.

By reading often, your child will be able to find new words and practice what they already know. It’s a great way to test if they know what a piece of text means. They need to understand what they’re reading, not just read the words. Regular reading will improve their ability to study passages and understand complex ideas.

Reading is also a chance to compare English with your child’s first language. Are sentences structured the same? Are there any words spelt the same? If so, do they mean the same thing? These words can either be helpful or confusing as your child may forget the English definition. It’s important to pick up on them early on and work on them if your child is struggling.

4. Play language games

Learning a language should be fun! Playing language games is a great way to keep them engaged and motivated. When they’re playing, they’re actively using English to make decisions and solve problems. This makes building their language skills more fun and memorable.

Games such as Scrabble and Boggle can help children practise vocabulary words and teach new ones. While games such as Guess Who and Articulate will help improve your child’s communication and problem-solving abilities. These are all skills that your child needs to succeed in the 11-plus exam.

Language games are great for bilingual children as they make learning active and engaging. They also create a fun environment where your child can relax without realising they’re studying.

5. Practise listening and speaking

Although listening and speaking aren’t part of the 11+ exam, they are key skills to learn to improve language skills. They can help your child learn how words are pronounced and understand their context in natural, day-to-day conversations. Listening and speaking are important for vocabulary, grammar, and fluency.

Some schools have an interview process alongside the 11 plus exam. This will take place between your child and someone at their target school. If this is the case, your child must be able to hold a conversation and answer questions.

If your child is less confident, increase their exposure to the English language. Speak in English at home, watch TV shows and movies in English, and read English books. This will help your child become familiar with native speakers, different accents, and fast speakers and get used to any differences there might be.

Building your child’s confidence in their second language will take time. And even more time for them to get ready for the 11 plus exam. That’s why it’s important to start early. Usually, we recommend starting exam prep at the end of Year 4 or Year 5. But, if your child is struggling with English, allow extra time to build on your child’s language skills.

The 11 plus is already challenging without the extra pressure of a second language. This might be a lot for your child to take on and could lead to burnout. Be supportive, help them wherever you can and don’t put too much pressure on them. Take it slowly and in manageable bite-sized chunks—little and often is key.